Trainers you like/dislike on a personal level

Now that things have died down i just thought i'd pose a question to the fine folk of not606 regarding their favourite trainers on a personal level.I was pretty dissapointed with chicago greys performance in the national and had been following trainer gordon elliot's positive statements regarding the horses chances in the run up to the national only to find the horse trailed in last place for the majority of the race as if carbarry wasnt arsed with it.I also listened to elliot in the run up to cheltenham were he basically said flaxen flare hadnt much of chance and it duly obliged.I just find the chap abit of a fiddler and certainly doesnt help the punter!My question is which trainers do you like the most and generally want to provide the punter with honest information about their horses chances.I also find donald maccain a smug git and was glad he had no winners at chelts.I used to like fatman nicholls but find him abit aloof and arrogant,i'll also include aidan o brien in that catagory.Mullins seems a decent chap along with mr henderson who was visibly moved to tears of joy when SS scored on friday.so who do you think is the biggest rogue or what trainer would you like to share a pint with.Biggest rogue for me is mccain and I would love to share a jar with the beautiful filly that is rebecca curtis.

 

I do not listen to jockeys or trainers opinions, as most of them are completely clueless when it comes to finding winners.

I don't dislike him, but I remember them doing a feature with Colin Tizzard before Golden Chieftans run at Cheltenham, and by what he was saying you'd of thought the horse had no chance, and then he went and bolted up at 28/1.

I also fancied Chicago Grey, but the horse clearly is ingenuine over the national fences, you could tell after a couple of fences that he was reluctant to jump them. He was a little similar last year. It's ashame really as off 10'7 he was probably the best handicapped horse in the race, plus you know he stays. But at the end of the day jumping is the aim of the game

 

I follow Mulholland and Longsden via their stable updates on the web. They come across as decent sorts but absolutely agree with you on the lovely Rebecca. That programme on Friday showed her in a great light too as someone who is prepared to do things slightly different to the accepted norm. In the unlikely event that I had a horse in training she'd definitely be top of my list. She'd probably end up taking a restraining order out on me though.
As for dislike I don't really have one though I've always been of the opinion that Ferdy Murphy takes a bit of beating when it comes to fiddling.

 

I used to think Alan King was a bit "over the top" a few years ago when his horses were winning many top races. Since his recent fortunes haven't been so good, I've got to quite like him. I admire his loyalty to his jockeys and staff, and wish him all the best.
I also like young Harry Fry. He seems intelligent and articulate- with no arrogance nor airs and graces. I think he'll do well.
Chaninbar mentioned Ferdy Murphy. I'd put him in the same school as a trainer from the past (albeit a top one) ie. Captain Ryan Price. With Price, you always knew he was going to pop up with a big handicap winner before too long.
The trouble was you never knew what was inside of them! I still think the Schweppes "Hill House Fiasco" was the greatest crime in my lifetime of horse racing. I ask you. "Manufactured its own cortisone." How Price got off with only a lengthy ban is beyond me! Well it's not really. Like politicians, it's all down to 'connections,' isn't it?
PS. I'd have given anything to share a pint with Vincent O'Brien. Excuse the nostalgia, but he just has to be the 'daddy of them all!'

 

When you think of the world they inhabit its a surprise to find humble and honest folk with horse trainer as their occupation. I have only met a few , generally the small operators, who i find are pretty straight --if they have a chance they will say-- unless a coup is planned.Arthur Whitehead is a proper old skool gent--Mad Harry Manners was a revelation-- a real one -off- my best encounter has to be by accident a couple of years ago......
Whilst in a small north wales coastal village, a 4x4 with a small horse box pulled up, a strong irish voiced asked me the way to the beach..told him where to go, but that said beach was mainly shingle. I went down out of curiosity and he had a horse with a small pony who he wanted to stretch 'their legs'---i could see it was a racehorse--so got chatting-- it was Sean Harley-- driving Sovento down to kempton for a race in a couple of days-- what chance have you i asked-- each way he stressed--told me he was big mates with Barney Curley-who had a horse in the race--he 'feared 'the curley beast-- wished him luck and went our ways.
Got home and did my research-- flipping heck--all his horses are ex curley- looking at his strike rate over here, a plan was definitely afoot i thought. A guy will have spentthe best part of a week getting his horse to southern england from a remote part of north west ireland--for a 2 grand race-- duly told all i knew what i was told-- come the day --bit of early money for his horse but not huge-- the curly horse was backed into fav from 10's during the day--his drifted to 14/1 at one stage-- went down to watch it in bookies with brother in law- a classic job was done by the pair and their jocks-- T Queally went off like a scalded cat in a 1m 4f race at sprint pace-- meanwhile J Fahy had Sovento switched off at the back-- the curley horse was knacked after a circuit, but he'd done his job--pace to the race, once Fahy got to the cut away--he moved from last to first in about four seconds --just pushed him out to the line-- there was last minute money that made him 9/1 i think-- paid 15 on the nanny-- great celebrations in a william hill shop in Bangor-- and i suspect one or two other places...so i always check his runners here very carefully-- Hamilton is his top track-- especially if you see his son Martin on!

 

When it comes to trainers there is, of course, one man on a totally different level to all the others in terms of those punters like and respect. That is, need I say, Mr Henderson. A man who has re-written the training records and will this season be crowned Champion before his adoring public. Honest, trustworthy, loyal, upfront, approachable, enthuastic his list of positive attributes are almost endless and his position in punters hearts therefore will never be matched.

Others I like include on the level Sir Henry and Sir Michael, total gentleman and top class handlers, Roger Charlton, Clive Cox, old boy Gosden and Mr O’Brien. Over the sticks the trainers who fall into the same category are Pip Hobbs, Mr Nicholls and Tom Symonds.

Dislike is a strong word but those who appear a bit ‘ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh’ are Donald McCain who seems to want everyone to believe he is some sort of gangster, The Hannon’s and Jonjo O’Neill trainers who I have never really ‘got’ and Colin Tizzard who likes to act somewhat daft in interviews but clearly isn’t. Meanwhile, going back to old boy Gosden I do like and respect him but he is undoubtedly something of an old rogue in the way that he gets horses so well handicapped (and in contrast to the likes of Prescott and ‘Dandy’ Nicholls this ‘feat’ is never commented on).

The biggest ever ‘ooooooooooooooooooooooooooh’ trainer though has to be ‘Daddy Martin’ Pipe. I won’t say too much otherwise I’ll be libelled but suffice to say ‘I KNOW’!

 

I think Paul Nicholls is one of the best - genuine and gives you more information about his horses than most. David Pipe is the opposite and I never trust him - the same with Nicky Henderson (remember the Binocular saga?) . Rebecca Curtis apart from being a bit of a honey is honest and forthcoming with her views.. and I also like Alan King and Colin Tizzard.

 

Nicky Henderson is a very genuine trainer, and is as gracious as anyone when one of his big guns get beat. Never comes out with aload of cods wallop about why they lost. Unlike Paul Nicholls, who is an arrogant sore loser.

The Binocular saga was an unfortunate one, but I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt with that. That is the only 'dodgy' incident throughout his training career, so I believe him. Maybe the horse did just make a miraculous recovery

 

Nigel Twiston-Davies

I find the bloke full of hot air.

 

Never did know any trainers personally, and still don't, but, on TV, always found Sir Henry to be a truly great guy and obviously much loved by just about everyone, and Paul Nicholls always comes out well in interviews IMHO. Never found him to be a sore loser at all. Henderson's OK and a great trainer, but does appear a bit bleary-eyed sometimes, but, of course, who doesn't?

Tamerlo, 'Captain' Ryan Price was a s.o.b. of the first water. A bully and a loudmouth. I saw him berate a young apprentice at a small southern meeting once (reducing the lad to tears), after riding a horse that was just not good enough to win. He infuriated nearby racegoers on that day, many of whom really gave him the bird. Disliked the guy intensely.

 

yeah, thats why there is always a rope tethered to his leg, stops him floating off....

 

If one of your horses as just been turned over who you quietly expected to go well I hardly doubt you'd be jumping for joy whilst you've got a microphone shoved in your face. Paul Nicholl's as had unbelievable success to date and you don't get where he's been without being competetive, From the days when he was battling Martin Pipe to nowadays with Nicky Henderson. He loves winning and thats why hes been a multiple champion trainer. Hes one of the very best at informing the public of his horses welfare, And even when Kauto had his mishap before the 2012 Gold Cup his price relatively stayed the same unlike Henderson's yard where one poor gallop and the price of the horse trebles in price on Betfair, Grandouet being one of those most recently and I can't forgive him for what happened with Binocular a few years ago. Along with Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls would be a favourite of mine over the jumps...

On the flat the obvious ones of Sir Henry and Sir Michael. But even though the man is a nightmare to listen to when it comes to an interview Mr '' Obviously '' Aidan O'Brien is an utter master of his game

Dislike would be a strong word but I always like to see a Godolphin hotpot get turned over

 

Are people forgetting the Moonlit Path Fiasco involving the "honest and "trustworthy" Mr Henderson?

http://www.racingpost.com/horses/ho...Tabs=horse_stories&bottomHorseTabs=horse_form

 

no i'mnot darremi--the 'vet' involved got off scot free and is still very much in business-- love the innocent 'airs' these folk put on-- these are the ruling class at play.....

 

According to that article the vet was struck off though?

 

I was on at 40s won like a 1/2 shot

David Omeara is a trainer I like, because he is a good trainer, winning the Portland with one of my favourite horses Doc Hay put him up a notch in my book but I already rated him.

Bolger is the man in Ireland, love what he done with New Approach.

 

Unfortunately I wasn't Joe, fair play if you picked him out. It wasn't a race I felt confident enough to have a bet on. Did you see the Tizzard feature before hand though? Colin Tizzard might aswell of told us all he had no chance. That's why I always go by form, and never listen to trainers opinions. All trainers talk absolute ****e

 

cant say I did, I had already backed it so wouldnt have mattered anyway, I knew the horse had a decent mark, and Powell jnr had ridden a few winners for him not long before Cheltenham which is why I looked at him in the first place, the only problem was the trip.

But I agree, try not to listen to trainers, Paul Nicholls is a good example of why, although there are exceptions.

 

I can't stand Nicholls either, never just a accepts that god forbid another horse could just be better than one of his. I've never known any trainer make so many excuses