18 November 2010 Stable Tour: Hannah and Rose Grissell
by Carolyn Tanner
There will be a joint training effort at Brightling for the coming campaign, with Rose Grissell, under whose name the horses will run, sharing the duties with elder sister Hannah.
Rose took over training the stable's Pointers two years ago and has sent out 11 winners, three of which she has partnered herself, while Hannah has 15 successes between the flags to her credit, plus three under Rules.
Both sisters work full time and are based in the metropolis for the majority of the week, but say they have a top class team at home, well capable of keeping the show on the road. Rose works for a London charity, while Hannah, who describes herself as "a P.R. bimbo," attempts to sell racing to the media on behalf of Racing For Change, her current focus being on the push to get A P McCoy elected as Sports Personality of the Year.
The Grissells have the use of a new woodchip gallop, the original one having worn out, and this year the horses are being bedded on recycled cardboard, which is obtained locally.
Win or lose, there is always a post-race party atmosphere at Brightling, where owner-riders are made very welcome.
One such is Felix Wheeler, who takes great delight in pointing out that McCoy is the only other person to have scored on BELUGA, a winner at Tweseldown in April. Felix, a racecourse judge, also commentates between the flags as well as on Polo and at Catford Greyhound Stadium, where he is known as "the posh bloke." Beluga, "a lovely ride and a joy to take hunting," may be aimed at the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown.
Another owner-rider is Matt Braxton, who won twice last time on MR TEE PEE. "He's keen and very strong, and likes to front-run, so he helped get Matt competitive," Rose explained.
Matt will also have the leg-up on BANNISTER LANE, a Doncaster purchase who was five times successful over fences for Donald McCain, including in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup in 2009. Described as "quirky, and not straightforward," Bannister Lane will run in Opens, with the 4m Kent Grand National at Detling his main target.
Wayne Russell, who works in IT, has yet to win a Point-to-Point but has triumphed under Rules. He will be partnering SOLE AGENT, victorious over hurdles and fences for Gary Moore, but an unknown quantity over a 3m trip. Another former Moore inmate, with similar credentials to Sole Agent, is ALRAFID.
A Hurdling winner untried over the distance is SAM WHISKEY, who also scored four times on the flat in Germany. Reported to be a good jumper, he has recently run twice over hurdles from the sisters' mother Di's licensed yard. He was partnered on both occasions by Hannah, who will keep the ride between the flags.
THE JOLLY SPOOFER has won a Chase but has been largely disappointing for Di, and previously for Emma Lavelle. He jumps well at home but over regulation fences his fencing has left something to be desired, although he has never fallen. He will run in the colours of The Random Optimists, a syndicate whose numbers and members vary from year to year.
The massive BEN ALDER, three times successful in Ireland and runner-up in a Hunter Chase there, only joined the yard in late January and managed just one outing before the ground went against him. Qualification for Aintree is in Hannah's thoughts.
Two returning after an absence are GLENBOWER WOODS and PREY BIRD. The latter's most recent run was in mid-2009, after which he suffered very badly with a virus. He goes on any ground other than bottomless, but his rider needs to know him to get the best out of him, and he is usually ridden out on his own.
Glenbower Woods, who had a tendon problem last year, was originally bought as a hunter by his owner Caroline Hargreaves, but when he became too strong for her his attentions were turned to racing. He has a grumpy nature, so perhaps would have been better given the name of his stablemate GRUMPY BEE.
Still a maiden, Grumpy Bee, who is loan from Richard Phillips, takes a keen hold. He has taken a while to learn to settle but has certainly calmed down at home, thanks to Lisa Roberts, former head girl to Nick Gifford, who rides him all the time. He will be out early.
SOLDERSHIRE is another who blotted his copybook last season. "Rose fell off him three times so we thought he'd make a suitable schoolmaster for Oz," laughed Hannah. Oz being 16-year-old Oz Wedmore, who is looking forward to making his debut. Oz rides out every morning before school, and has been a regular at the yard for a few years.
Soldershire likes quick ground, as does the consistent DELGANY GALE. Different conditions are required by TOBOUGG WELCOME, who wants plenty of give underfoot. Ladies' Opens could be an option for him.
MILTARA is owned by Alan Cowing and Barry Cockerell, who bred her out of their star performer Nethertara. She has taken some time to grow into herself, and has seen a course just once, in a Fontwell Bumper, since when she has had a wind operation.
