'If he takes to it he'll be electric' - novice chasing beckons for Hales stars

The Racing Post’s Powering Through The Pandemic series has focused on those emerging from Covid-19 in a much stronger position than before and that can be said of Alex Hales, who is readying his “biggest and best team” for the winter following a career-high tally last season.

Hales’s Edgcote yard in Oxfordshire required new stables to be built after an influx of recruits, including several horses from former trainer Charlie Mann, who Hales served as head lad prior to taking out a full licence in 2003.

The trainer’s strength could well come in the novice chase division with a team that includes Aintree Hurdle third Millers Bank, Supreme Novices' Hurdle third For Pleasure, Grade 2 winner Bourbon Beauty, the unbeaten Omar Maretti and progressive Get Your Own.

Hales, who hosted 200-plus owners at his open day on Sunday, said: “We had a cracking season with our highest number of winners and most high-profile successes, so we’re under pressure to keep going forward. We have wonderful support from old and new owners with our biggest and best team for this campaign.

“It’s taken a long time to build the foundations but it’s been fantastic to reap the rewards of everyone’s patience and we’ve seen a real upturn in quality.

“We’ve been on a wonderful journey with Millers Bank and he’s so exciting. He’s been brilliant in his schooling and hopefully he can take us to the top level. For Pleasure has been a star too, he’s dynamic and great fun. If he takes to chasing he'll be electric.”

Millers Bank: highest-rated horse ever trained by Alex Hales and set to go novice chasingCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Brackenbury family-owned Fagan and Smooth Stepper are being aimed at the veterans’ chase series, while stable stalwart Huntsman Son could start out in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree or bid for a repeat success in a Listed handicap chase at Wetherby.

Among interesting recruits from the sales are Hara Kiri, who finished second in a bumper at the Punchestown festival to subsequent Galway festival premier handicap winner Crowns Major, and twice-placed hurdler Nextdoortoalice.

Hales said: “Hara Kiri goes really nicely and hopefully he can win a bumper before going novice hurdling, while Nextdoortoalice is very uncomplicated and has some good form. She’s an exciting recruit.

“We always want to beat last year’s tally and there’s lots to look forward to this season.”

Read more . . .

'It's an achievement' – Alex Hales on breeding EBF Final winner Bourbon Beauty

Smooth Stepper seals fine week for Alex Hales with veteran chase success

'The class is still there' – former Albert Bartlett second Fagan ends 1295-day drought

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