Bright Forecast bids for emotional Ballymore victory for Aldaniti Partnership

It is an emotional experience for any owner celebrating a Cheltenham Festival winner but there will be tears of joy and sadness for the Aldaniti Partnership should Bright Forecast land the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

Nick Embiricos, owner of 1981 fairytale Grand National winner Aldaniti, died in November and the former chairman of the Bob Champion Cancer Trust was last involved in racehorse ownership with the progressive five-year-old.

The Ben Pauling-trained Bright Forecast finished a two-and-a-half-length second to Mister Fisher in the Supreme trial at Haydock last month and is a best price 40-1 with William Hill to secure victory in the Ballymore, in which the trainer celebrated memorable festival success with Willoughby Court two years ago.

Pauling said: “There would be a tear in the eye for everyone if Bright Forecast were to win the Ballymore. It would mean a lot considering we lost Nick last year, who was a very special man. This was the last horse he was involved in so it would be amazing if he could run a big race.

“Bright Forecast is more enthusiastic and athletic than Barters Hill but if he relaxes in the race and jumps properly he’ll have a right squeak of running well. He’s a proper horse – we always knew he would improve for a step up in trip and he deserves to take his chance.”

Global Citizen: being aimed at the Champion HurdleCredit: Mark Cranham

Global Citizen is set to be a first runner in the Champion Hurdle for Pauling, who says the recent Haydock trial winner is in “fabulous form”. The seven-year-old is a general 33-1 shot for the day-one highlight.

Pauling said: "He’s worthy of his place in the race and the season aim was to see whether he was good enough for a Champion Hurdle. He could do no more last time out and wasn’t right when he ran in the Christmas Hurdle yet was beaten only 13 lengths. He’s in fabulous form, a strong pace will suit him down to the ground and if he nicked a place I’d be absolutely thrilled.

“We dropped him in at Haydock and they didn’t go quick enough so he went to the front, but he wasn’t keen. I’d like to think we'll sit in behind the leaders and we can play a waiting game. His jumping is electric and he’s certainly got the class to travel and jump.”

JLT hope Kildisart, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, is particularly pleasing Pauling in his preparations for the 2m4f novice chase, for which he is a best price 12-1.

Pauling said: “Kildisart would be the one that is really thrilling me at the moment. He’s a relaxed traveller and should have a good chance if running to the level of his win at the track in January.”

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