PartialLogo
News

Resurgent Anthony Honeyball anticipating big season with strong team

Anthony Honeyball: high-quality string for the new season
Anthony Honeyball: high-quality string for the new seasonCredit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

Anthony Honeyball and his team are ready to draw a line through last season's difficult campaign with an exciting new string of young horses in addition to a number of the yard's old favourites.

The Dorset trainer was forced to shut his Potwell Farm base for nine weeks when the yard was hit by a virus in December, resulting in a seasonal tally of 14 winners in comparison to the previous year's 34. But with a number of high-quality point-to-pointers having joined the yard, Honeyball is anticipating a big campaign.

"Last year was not ideal but you have to stay positive," said Honeyball, speaking at his owners' day on Sunday. "We had the virus but then when we had them in good form, the ground went against us.

"We're every bit as positive now [as we were last year], we're lucky to have the support of our owners and we had the confidence to go and buy some nice young horses. We've got great staff and facilities, which helps too."

He added: "I'm really happy with the horses we've bought. They look great and I hope they can fly the flag for us this season."

The yard's leading light Ms Parfois was retired to stud last year and is in foal to Getaway, but Acey Milan is one of Honeyball's emerging stars. He was one of the leading bumper horses in the 2017-18 season, landing valuable prizes at Cheltenham and Newbury before a fine fourth at the festival. He was troubled by a virus last year, winning once from five starts, but the trainer has not lost faith in the classy five-year-old.

Acey Milan: can be a 140 or 150 horse says Anthony Honeyball
Acey Milan: can be a 140 or 150 horse says Anthony HoneyballCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

He said: "We weren't sure with a lot of horses who had the virus but he was definitely hit by it. He was a very good bumper horse, and sometimes those horses do go missing, but they tend to come back and he could be very well handicapped off 126. We'll want to work our way back to that [bumper] level and, if we can, he could be a 140 or 150 horse. He'll get three miles and handles heavy ground."

Regal Encore, the oldest horse at Potwell Farm, is another yard favourite. The 11-year-old has finished eighth and seventh in the Grand National but will be aimed at the veterans' series races. He is one of five horses JP McManus has in training with Honeyball.

The trainer added of his point-to-point recruits: "Kilconny Bridge and Bleue Away look nice, while Kid Commando was an impressive point-to-point winner. There are also plenty of others to get excited about."

Aidan Coleman will ride "when available" while conditional jockeys Rex Dingle and Ben Godfrey will also be given plenty of opportunities.


Honeyball's hotties

Midnight Tune
A Grade 2 winner over hurdles, she is going to continue her chasing career. She jumps seriously well and we still don't think we've got to the bottom of her. I'd love to think she can make that big step up like Ms Parfois did.

PLUMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Aidan Coleman riding Sam Brown win The Derek Hunnisett memorial Novices' Hurdle Race at Plumpton racecourse on December 18, 2017 in Plumpton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Sam Brown: off since winning at Plumpton in December 2017Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Sam Brown
A lovely horse, he can begin making up for lost time [after being off since winning at Plumpton in December 2017]. We'll start off in a small novice chase and hopefully work our way up to a good level.

Midnight Callisto
She's not run yet but we like her and she's one to look out for. We've also got two of her sisters in the yard, Lily The Pink and Precious.


For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app


West Country correspondent

Published on inNews

Last updated

iconCopy