March 2025 Trainers to Follow

[BARNSLEYCHOP]

March 2025 Trainers to Follow

 

A poor start to the year, we stand at around (£114) LSL at the end of February.  At this time last year I was around +£10 LSP which puts into context how bad this year has been so far.

 

March is an exciting time for racing fans with the highlight of the jumps calendar in Cheltenham, gone are the days when we could just bet Mullins blind and bag a profit.  The champion trainer will have plenty of winners but loads of runners and little in the way of value.  

 

We had 3 winning trainers last March and all those return, in total we have 4 NH trainers and 3 AW trainers to follow.

 

GB NH

 

HARRY FRY (ALL)

Dorset trainer who is no stranger to the list, has the most Cheltenham entries of our trainers and has two or three with reasonable chances.

 

• 2016     9/36     25%     +£ 5.54

• 2017    11/35    31%     +£20.50

• 2018     8/29     28%     +£ 5.43

• 2019     6/34     18%      (£13.29)

• 2020     2/19     11%      (£14.75)

• 2021     4/29     14%     +£ 3.50

• 2022     9/30     30%     +£ 2.98

• 2023     4/22     18%      (£ 6.75)

• 2024     1/16       6%      (£ 1.00)

 

Our own early price figures showed a profit of +£1.50 LSP in 2023 and +£4.26 last year, while he's still giving a profit. We'll stick with him but I'd like to see a better strike rate this year.

CHRIS GORDON (ALL)

 

Hampshire trainer who is in the list for a third month, hasn't done as well for us this year but can change that this month.  Four Cheltenham entries.

 

• 2016     5/22     23%     +£34.13

• 2017    12/22    55%     +£31.93

• 2018      1/19      5%      (£17.00)

• 2019      3/25     12%     (£  9.09)

• 2020      4/16     25%    +£ 7.50

• 2021      7/44     16%     (£10.60)

• 2022      8/29     28%    +£16.75

• 2023      4/21     19%    +£ 4.91

• 2024      7/31      23%    (£ 4.15)

 

We made a small profit last year using early prices.

 

NICKY RICHARDS (ALL)

Greystoke trainer who has done really well for us in the past.  Hopefully he can recover from last year like he did in 2022.  Just 3 Cheltenham entries.
 

• 2017     7/26     27%     +£  3.28

• 2018     6/23     26%     +£  5.25

• 2019     6/25     24%     +£18.25

• 2020     7/17     41%     +£17.93

• 2021     3/48       6%      (£41.73)

• 2022     8/34     24%     +£10.78

• 2023    12/33    36%     +£41.43

• 2024      4/25    16%      (£11.02)

 

Fantastic set of figures apart from the blip in 2021 and last year, he comes into the month in fine form with 3 winners from his last 9 runners, I'm expecting him to get back on track this month.

 

ROBERT WALFORD (ALL)

Dorset trainer who is a new addition to the list.  Won't have any Cheltenham runners.

 

• 2022     4/12     33%     +£19.00
•  
• 2023     4/16     25%     +£ 1.10
•  
• 2024     5/17     29%     +£13.75

 

Solid stuff over the last three years, comes into the month with 3 winners from his last 7 runners.

 

 

GB AW

 

GEORGE BOUGHEY (ALL)

Based in Newmarket, has shot onto the scene in recent years and boasts some nice March figures.
 

• 2020     1/3        33%     +£ 4.00

• 2021     11/30    37%     +£ 8.96

• 2022     3/25      12%      (£ 2.25)

• 2023     7/29      24%     +£12.94

• 2024     4/41      10%     +£ 2.25

  

I would prefer a better strike rate, he did have 7 seconds last year and our profit was slightly higher using early prices.

 

A BALDING (ALL)

A trainer that would have given us a profit in February if we had included all his horse and not omitted his 3yo's.  The figures suggest we should include all his horses this month so that's what we'll do.

• 2021      4/22     18%     (£ 2.50)
•  
• 2022      9/36     25%    +£ 0.60
•  
• 2023      9/29     31%    +£ 4.28
•  
• 2024      9/33     27%    +£21.00

 

I'd take a repeat of any of the last 3 years.

 

GEORGE SCOTT (ALL)

Newmarket trainer who seems to be getting better year on year.

 

• 2021     2/15     13%     (£ 1.25)
•  
• 2022     2/7       29%    +£10.75
•  
• 2023     3/15     20%    +£ 1.50
•  
• 2024     3/20     15%    +£ 8.33

 

Another decent set of figures, hopefully he can help us make a profit this month.

 

 

 

CHELTENHAM TRAINER THOUGHTS

 

Until the DRF I thought GB might have a better Cheltenham than in recent years but then Mullins let loose with his novice hurdlers and then Sig Gino was ruled out, the pendulum has swung back in favour of the Irish.  It’s hard to see past the usual suspects, Mullins, Elliott and maybe Cromwell who could take over from De Bromhead as the third best Irish trainer.   Of the GB trainers Henderson looks the most likely with Skelton the man to be with in the Handicaps.  GB trainers have also bagged the winner of the Ultima in the last 18 years!

For what it's worth my Owners/Trainer bets at Cheltenham :-

JP McManus 5+ winners @ 4/5

                      6+ winners @ 9/4

                      7+ winners @ 9/2

Mullins to have more winners than GB @ 7/2

 

As usual, any questions, comments, observations please leave below.  I’m off again for 10 days around Cheltenham so updates may be a bit thin on the ground, Good Luck!

[BARNSLEYCHOP]

1st March runners

Kelso

2.20 Nab Wood @ 7's

3.30 Aucunrisque @ 28's

         Florida Dreams @ 15's

Newbury

3.05 Kap Ouest @ 4's

3.45 Prince Quali @ 16's

4.15 Loverdose @ 10/3

Doncaster

2.05 Star Walking @ 11's

3.15 Hymac @ 6's

Southwell

4.25 Moulin Booj @ 3's

5.00 Hebridean Nomad @ 4's

6.00 Bouquet  De Paris @ 17/2

         Motawaared @ 17/2