CHELTENHAM NOTEBOOK: Straw Fan Jack is a magnificence for coach Sheila Lewis, Rachael Blackmore is an efficient transfer for Unhealthy and Nicky Henderson’s woman groomed for glory
Beautician-turned-trainer Sheila Lewis says she will likely be turning ’cartwheels’ if her first runner on the Competition — Straw Fan Jack within the Arkle Problem Trophy — hits the body.
Though spending a lot of her working life as a beautician, together with a spell on cruise ships, 54-year-old Lewis had to focus on the horses she educated when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down her enterprise.
Her coaching profession was subsequently reworked.
Lewis mentioned: ‘I’d positively be doing cartwheels if he completed within the first 4. Individuals love a narrative like this.
‘I’m not getting forward of myself. We’re going to Cheltenham with a 66-1 likelihood however it’s a novice race so something may occur.’
Coach Ben Pauling has booked jockey Rachael Blackmore to journey Unhealthy at Cheltenham
Good transfer for Unhealthy
There was an excellent phrase buzzing round Cheltenham for Unhealthy, who runs within the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
Coach Ben Pauling hasn’t run Unhealthy for the reason that gelding, a winner in France, arrived in his secure as a result of he didn’t need to jeopardise what he feels is a very reasonable handicap mark.
Eyecatchingly, Pauling has booked Rachael Blackmore for the journey.
Groomed for glory
It’s an enormous day for the Nicky Henderson secure and significantly a giant event for his head groom Katie Croft.
Croft, together with her accomplice and fellow Henderson head groom David Fehily, put collectively the Canter Banter syndicate which owns Shut Brothers Mares’ Hurdle hope Theatre Glory, a formidable winner at Warwick on her final run.
Croft’s syndicate lease Theatre Glory from her breeder after she didn’t promote at public sale.
Henderson additionally has 2020 Champion Hurdle winner Epatante and defending champion Marie’s Rock within the race.
Croft mentioned: ‘I unfold the phrase concerning the syndicate on social media and we acquired 20 individuals concerned who we have now by no means met earlier than. Most of them had by no means had contact with a horse earlier than.
‘Theatre Glory at all times exhibits us the suitable indicators and loves her job. She has learnt with each run. We’re the underdogs so no matter occurs is a bonus.’
