'We want to win better races' - Jamie Snowden aiming high with winter team

Jamie Snowden, who enjoyed his best campaign last season, is determined to raise the quality of his string and believes he has been able to do that this summer despite the economic crisis.

The Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer entertained around 200 people at his annual owners' day on a balmy Saturday afternoon, when he paraded his string for the forthcoming core jumps season.

They included returning stable star Ga Law, whose early aim is the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November.

He is one of 55 horses at Snowden's Folly House base in Lambourn and the former amateur rider said: "We're on the back of our best season, when we had 49 winners over jumps and one on the Flat.

"We also won more prize-money than ever and ticked off having a winner at every jumps track in Britain, although I think things will be different this term.

"We've made a conscious effort to try to recruit better horses; we want better winners in the better races."

Ga Law: returns after injuryCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

Last seen finishing second in the Grade 2 Pendil Novices' Chase at Kempton in February 2021, Ga Law is viewed as a horse capable of making his mark at a high level.

" is back and the Paddy Power is definitely the race for him, although we'll probably have a warm-up run beforehand," added Snowden, who rode three winners for the Queen from just five rides.

" and are other senior chasers who can do us proud, while I've a nice team of novice chasers headed by , , and , and then and are bumper winners for novice hurdling. I think that's a strong team, but we've been busy over the summer too."

That industry includes shelling out six-figure sums for , who was second in a bumper at the Punchestown festival in April and is potentially the stable's best young horse according to renowned bloodstock agent Tom Malone, point-to-point winner and , who was second in his point.

Another easy point-to-point winner (£90,000) and (52,000gns) have been snapped up as well and Snowden, who also gave a favourable mention among his new signings, said: "We've got some nice recruits and schooled 20 youngsters on Wednesday morning and they seem a pretty decent bunch, so it's a very exciting time.

"The demand for horses still seems to be there, and we've bought more form horses [which can cost more] this summer, although I still bought a few unraced horses. Perhaps people want more of an instant return rather than waiting for the babies to come through."

Head girl Kate Baker remains a crucial part of the team, while Gavin Sheehan and Page Fuller will be the yard's main jockeys, backed up by conditional Will Featherstone and amateur rider Jonathan Rees.

Read more:

'We want to sit at the top table' - Joe Tizzard dreaming big with young squad

The kids are all right: Jonjo O'Neill excited to let his youthful string loose

'We've got our best team ever' - Harry Fry expecting a big season

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