North West Area
Arthur Shone's ten to follow
2007 Season

This season’s 10 to follow are a very mixed bunch; there are some familiar names and also some promising newcomers to our sport. The best winning formula is provided by the dark horse specialist Edward Crow, the husband of Sheila Crow He has selected 14 dark horses over 9 seasons’ of which 13 has won, a remarkable strike rate.

WILLIE WONG 5yr gld (comments by Edward Crow)
“He has been placed second in Ireland, and he is only a 4yr old. When I went to see him he had strengthened up nicely. He is by Anshan and he should want good ground, but I feel that he is a soft ground action horse. I am confident that he will be one to follow from the yard this season. He is owned by a group of jockeys, which are Richard Burton, David Greenway, Will Kinsey and the top National Hunt jockey Richard Johnson.”
(Trained by Sheila Crow)

THE ACCORDIAN MAN 6yr gld (comments by Edward Crow)
“I have no hesitation in nominating this one as one of my dark horse selections; he was very impressive in winning his Maiden at Bandon in Ireland. I am very excited about this one for the new season, he would prefer good ground, and is really well forward in his work.”
(Trained by Sheila Crow)

CHEYNE 6yr gld
“ He won on the level and over hurdles in France; his latest win was at Auteuil. That race was over two and a half miles and providing he gets the three, I think he will be very good. My wife Sarah will ride him in Ladies’ races and he could surprise a few of the better horses in the area, he needs top of the ground.”
(Trained by Gordy Edwards)

VON ORIGNY 6yr gld
“He used to be trained under rules by Henry Daly where he had a rating of 129; he won at Market Rasen and at Newbury last season. He is working very well at home, and he is definitely one to follow from the yard. He seems to like a bit of cut in the ground.
(Trained by Steve Wynne)

BORDER FUSION 8yr gld
“He is potentially the best horse that I have ever trained .He ran 14lbs below his best last season when the yard was riddled with the virus. Despite that he ran well to finish runner up to No Retreat in the Bangor Final. That will be one of targets again this season, because he owned by local bookmaker Gordon Crawford, he likes his horse to run in this race because the bookies sponsor the contest. He goes on any ground bar heavy”
(Trained by Gary Hanmer)

NOBLE PERSIAN 8yr gld
“ He won his last two races at Heslaker and at Tabley which was very pleasing, as it confirmed he is a very progressive horse. He will have a similar campaign as last season, on last seasons evidence he is a nice exciting prospect in the yard .He won on fast ground last season, but I see no reason why he should not handle the soft.
(Trained by Gary Hanmer)

BRAVERY SCOTCH 5yr gld
“A very exciting prospect in the yard, he is a half brother to The Big Breakfast. He ran well in Ireland and he is really flying at home and myself and my partner Sue Taylor who acts as my assistant trainer think he could be very useful. All the riders who have ridden him have been thrilled with him; he is a good ground horse.”
( Trained by Paul Jones)

ACCORDING TO THIS 8yr gelding
“He is very well bred the dam Creative Blaze is a half sister to Danoli, it was pleasing when he won his Maiden at Bangor last season. Hopefully he should win a Restricted this season, and then I plan to run him in Ladies’ Opens, which I think would benefit him, he needs good ground.
(Trained by Kelda Wood)

LATZOD’ALM 8yr gld
“He is a lovely horse in the yard and he progressed well last season, wining his last three races which included the Hiscox Final at Cheltenham. I was so pleased for his owner Roy Swinburne who is a smashing owner he never puts you under any pressure. He has the potential to be very good and is best surface is on good ground. I have taken out a permit to train under rules so the horses will be trained by my partner Lisa Willis.”
Comments by John Groucott (Trained in 2007 by Lisa Willis)

PINOT GRINGO 6yr gld
“If you want a dark horse to follow from the yard this season, then I would have no hesitation in recommending this well bred son of Artic Lord. He is a half brother to the useful Irish chaser Thatswhatithought. He will progress from last season and should win his fair share of races; he is best suited by good to soft ground.”
Comments by John Groucott (Trained in 2007 by Lisa Willis)