Chris Barber has revealed that Famous Clermont and new recruit Grace A Vous Enki will be his flagbearers for the up-and-coming point to point season that kicks off in early November.
Speaking at an owners day at Little Canwood Stables, the trainer said:" Famous Clermont (pictured above) has been an absolute superstar for myself and everybody else involved. I will never forget the afternoon he won the Aintree Foxhunters back in 2023 - it was a massive achievement for a young trainer like myself.
"He may be 10 years old rising 11 but you would never know it as he retains all his enthusiasm in the way he goes about his work at home and will go down a similar route to last season. He will start off in a point and then will take it from there with the Stratford Ladies hunter chase he has won for the last two years as his end of season aim."
Barber is hopeful that Grace A Vous Enki, formerly with Nicky Sheppard, can get his racing career back on track as he has not been seen in public since lowering the colours of Time Leader and Il Pino at Larkhill 10 months ago. He said:" He has kindly been sent to the yard recently by his owners Clive and Joan Hitchings and is an exciting type to have around the place. "In a perfect world he will be back at his beloved Larkhill where he has recorded seven victories at some stage in the coming months when he is ready to run. He and Famous Clermont are a formidable couple of horses to spearhead the team over the winter."
Grace A Vous Enki (James King) in winning action at the Hursley Hambledon Mens Open last December. Photo Tim Holt
Also returning to racecourse duty is Wolf Walker who was impressive in three victories at Larkhill before disappointing in a Cheltenham hunter chase in May 2024. Barber said:" He did not like the very soft ground at Cheltenham and picked up a little niggle but seems on good terms with himself now. We have options with him and he will be back in the near future."
Progressive Wolf Walker on course to return to pointing this season. Photo JTW Equine Images
Barber spent much of last season acquainting himself with his new surroundings in the rolling Herefordshire countryside after relocating from his old base in Dorset and commented:" Last winter was about bedding in at the new yard but we still sent out 20 victories and I am very happy with the way things have progressed in the meantime.
"As for the coming season we will have a team of around 25 horses for pointing including a number of unraced youngsters. My aim is always to have as many winners as horses we have in the yard and anything over that would be a nice bonus."