'I do enjoy it' - Mann in fine form as promising Ike Sport heads for Cheltenham

Grade 1-winning trainer Charlie Mann continues to have no regrets about giving up his licence and is looking forward to the Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale, where he will consign the promising Ike Sport.

Having retired from training in 2021 after 28 years in the ranks and with around 700 winners to his name, including top-level success with Celibate and Air Force One, Mann has become more involved in bloodstock and offers an interesting sort at Cheltenham on Thursday.

The four-year-old Ike Sport ran an excellent race on his debut this month to finish second at Machecoul in western France, a length behind the more experienced previous winner Santa Clarita and nine and a half lengths clear of third home Hinspo Express.

The Spanish Moon gelding, who is out of the winning Bering mare Safraniere and from the Flat-oriented family of Sweet Solera Stakes winner Peaceful Paradise and Superlative Stakes victor Mystery Angel, has plenty of improvement to come according to his experienced consignor.

Mann said: "He's a nice horse and he's going to improve as he's had only one run and is very green. I bought him in France, I usually try to buy one or two a month out there."

Ike Sport is not the only horse bound for Cheltenham if Mann has his way, with the former trainer keen to find another prospect for next month's Cheltenham Festival Sale.

He said: "I sold about 12 horses last year and have made more money than in all my time training! I'm trying to find one for the big Cheltenham sale at the Festival but you need something decent, so we'll see. I do enjoy it."

Mann also admitted to revelling in his new, and somewhat more laid-back, lifestyle, which includes riding out for two former rivals in the training ranks.

In typically dry humour, he said of retirement: "I've been having a lovely time, I played tennis at Queen's the other day and to be honest I'd recommend it to any trainer who's still got a licence.

"I ride out for Nicky Henderson and Oliver Sherwood, who rents my yard, so I'm keeping my hand in. I've got no pressure and I sleep well."

The TattersallsCheltenham February Sale is the first of the season to offer four-year-old point-to-pointers, and notable graduates include festival winners Envoi Allen and Ferny Hollow.

Very recent winners Does He Know and Love Envoi are graduates from other Cheltenham sales.

Among the more eyecatching lots on offer at Prestbury Park on Thursday is Ballyboy Stables' Shannon Royale (lot 12), a placed four-year-old son of Walk In The Park and a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Minella Foru and useful pair Sumkindofking and Penny Jane, who are all full-siblings by King's Theatre.

While he precedes Ike Sport into the ring, immediately following Mann's offering will be Sam Curling's winning six-year-old Stormy Story (14), a half-brother to Scottish Champion Hurdle runner-up Dino Velvet.

Also of note is Redbridge Stables' placed Tapley (17), a Geordieland half-brother to last season's Reynoldstown Novices' Chase winner Remastered and out of the Listed-placed Cathodine Cayras. His Somerset-based sire has been banging in the winners lately.

Rob James Racing consigns Out Of Office (22), who won on his point-to-point debut at Belharbour and is a four-year-old Shirocco half-brother to two black-type winners in Bright New Dawn and Lyrical Theatre.

Colin Bowe's Walk In The Park gelding Puddlesinthepark (33), placed on his debut at Ballycrystal and out of the Grade 2-winning Rudimentary mare Vast Consumption, from the family of Ravenhill, is another who catches the eye, along with Glen Stables' The Ballyline Man (35), who comes from the family of The Shunter and D'Argent.

In all, 38 entries were catalogued. Selling is due to start at 1pm and online bidding is available.

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