Tolworth test for Colour Squadron
“We were delighted with him at Newbury and it was a good performance to make all the running that day,” said Hobbs.
“We’ve been very pleased with him since and the soft ground won’t be a problem for him as he handles testing ground fine.
“It’s a good race tomorrow, but we’re hoping he can run very well and we’ll make plans from there.
“He stays two miles extremely well and might stay further, but he seems very effective at that trip, so we’ll stick to it for the time being.”
Nicky Henderson is also keen to find out where Captain Conan, a winner at Auteuil but yet to be sighted on a British racecourse, ranks as he prepares to contest
There have been plenty of positive vibes coming out of Seven Barrows and Henderson said yesterday: “He came over from France and he had won quite a valuable race at Auteuil. Because of that he’s got quite a few penalties, so it made sense to start him off here.
“I’ve had him for a while and it’s a good race at the weekend. His owners are over so hopefully we can found out a bit more about him.”
Owner Graham Wylie has revealed the decision to let Prospect Wells take his chance in the race was an “afterthought”.
The high-class Flat performer has made an excellent start to his career over timber for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
After an impressive debut at Chepstow, the seven-year-old finished a narrow second to Steps To Freedom at Cheltenham before getting back on the winning trail at Newbury.
He was last seen finishing a highly-creditable fourth against more experienced rivals in The Ladbroke at Ascot and he is back in novice company this weekend, albeit at Grade One level.
Wylie admits the intention after the gelding’s last run was to give him some time off, but connections have now decided to turn him out again for the race better known as the Tolworth Hurdle.
“We weren’t entered in the race initially and to be honest, this is a bit of an afterthought,” said Wylie.
“The original plan after he ran in The Ladbroke was to give him a bit of a break but when the race was reopened on Monday because there weren’t many entries, Paul decided to put him in.
“He said the horse seemed in good form and he would decide whether or not he would run after he cantered on Thursday morning.
“Paul was really pleased and the horse is quite well in himself, so we’ll let him take his chance and see how we get on.
“The other thing about him is he’s a seven-year-old now and quite experienced.
Prospect Wells’ long-term objective is the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival, a race Wylie believes will suit his French import ideally.
“He’s a two-mile hurdler and the Supreme would look the race for him,” the owner added.
“Going fast round Cheltenham on better ground will help him, but being by Sadler’s Wells, he handles soft ground as well.
“It looks a good race on Saturday, but if he’s going to be a realistic contender for the Supreme, he’s got to run well.”
Completing the field is Charlie Longsdon’s three-time winner Magnifique Etoile and High Storm from the Rebecca Curtis yard.
Longsdon has some reservations about the ground for his charge and will check conditions on Saturday morning before committing him to a run.
“He’s improved, improved and improved all season so we’re letting him take his chance,” the trainer told At The Races.
“We always thought he’d be a nice horse for next year but he’s done nothing wrong at all.
“I am a bit worried about the ground. I’ve spoken to Andrew Cooper (clerk of the course) at length and he says the ground on the back straight is fine, but I’ll have to make my own mind up on the home straight when I get there.
“His form actually wasn’t bad on soft last year but he’s improved two stone for better ground this year and I think he can improve another two stone.
“He’s a light-framed horse and is still pretty raw, he’ll make a smashing chaser.
“I’ve always liked him but I didn’t imagine him doing this over hurdles, he’s done everything so easy.”
