The Ravenswell Round Up - April 2026
- Fergal O'Brien Racing
- Apr 8
- 7 min read
Our last newsletter came just ahead of Cheltenham, as anticipation built for jump racing’s blue riband event. It proved to be a highly successful week for The Jockey Club, with many of our staff and owners in attendance, all of whom reported a thoroughly enjoyable four days.
From our perspective, the Festival did not quite unfold as we had hoped. A number of our horses were balloted out of the handicaps and, with the ground continuing to dry, we took the decision not to run Sixmilebridge. However, we were delighted with Tripoli Flyer, who lined up in the County Hurdle and provided Fern with her first Cheltenham Festival ride, a fantastic milestone. More on that later!
Attention now turns to Aintree this week, another highlight of the jumping calendar, and one we very much look forward to.
A message from Fergal
Highlights from the track
Since the last newsletter, we’ve added another 10 winners to our tally. Among the highlights was Molton Sea, who delivered a hugely impressive performance at Kempton, winning by 14 lengths in eye catching fashion. Tiddesley Wood followed up by completing a double on the card, continuing his progression this season. He looks a really exciting type and one who should develop into a top class chaser next term.
Elsewhere, both Icare Colombe and Cool Customer shed their maiden tags. Icare Colombe made a pleasing start over hurdles, rewarding the patience shown by his owners, while Cool Customer was impressive in a bumper at Chepstow and looks a novice hurdler to follow next season.
Other notable performances included Jack Hyde, who returned to winning ways for the Paddy Brennan Racing Syndicate with a brave success at Ludlow, and Is This For Real, who also bounced back to form following a disappointing run at Haydock.
The Ravenswell Reporter
The 'Ravenswell Reporter', Sam Juckes has been taking a look ahead to this weeks Aintree Festival...
Aintree Preview 2026
Samuel Juckes
With the dust settling following on from this year’s Cheltenham Festival, one thing has become clear; the British trainers have upped their game in the Prestbury Cup, with the Irish dominance we’ve come to expect no longer looking quite so assured.
British trainers accounted for their highest tally in the Prestbury Cup since 2019, with key names emerging onto the scene in the Novice ranks, from Old Park Star to Johnny’s Jury, the British certainly have a lot to look forward to for the upcoming seasons.
The Irish continued to play a dominant role in events, and at the heart of it all? Willie Mullins yet again. Lossiemouth got the week off to a flyer for team Closutton with her heroics in the Champion Hurdle, whilst Gaelic Warrior’s demolition job in the Gold Cup rounded off the week in style. And amongst it all, another outside winner of the Triumph Hurdle (this one having a run), causing much head scratching to the rule’s aficionados at the BHA…the ‘Apolon De Charnie rule’ anyone?
Moving onwards to Aintree, three days in Merseyside await. 11 Grade ones across three days, with the centre piece being the Aintree Grand National at 4’oclock on Saturday 11th April.
There has been much debate around the changes made to the National in recent years, the reduction to fences and field sizes leaving a sour taste for many. But one thing remains constant, over 50,000 in attendance, and 500 million viewing across the world, gathered to watch 34 fences be jumped across 4 1/4 miles in Liverpool.
And away from the feature race itself, key clashes await as the end of the jumps season approaches. Will Jonbon go for a record breaking three in a row in the Melling Chase? Or will the horses who avoided Prestbury come with an edge heading for Aintree?
Team FOB go with chances yet again, with names to note including A Moments Madness in the Foxhunters, Ryan’s Rocket returning to 2 miles, and Chicker in the Saturday finale. Whilst further prospects as this season draws to a close include the contingent heading to Ayr, making it a whole host of chances to look forward to across the coming weeks.
In the Spotlight
Each month we intend to highlight some of our fantastic loyal team here at Ravenswell Farm.
Fern had her first ride at the Cheltenham Festival
It was a proud moment to see Fern ride Tripoli Flyer in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. Here is Ferns experince of the day...
"Riding at the Cheltenham Festival was very much a lifelong endeavour for me as I’ve been going to the racecourse since (probably) before I could walk, and I was very lucky to ride a horse with whom I’m very familiar.
To be honest, it felt like a normal day at the races in the weighing room, just a little bit busier and a lot more Irish! It was great to catch up with a lot of people that I got to know during my time at Mr Mullins in Ireland".
"I promised myself beforehand that I would allow myself to enjoy the whole day and I distinctly remember saying to Beth McCabe (Tripoli’s groom) “How amazing is this?” as we walked down the chute with what felt like a million people each side of us".
"The race itself wasn’t as much of a blur as I expected it to be. Bit of a slow start but two very good jumps up the straight the first time put us in a lovely position about halfway. He jumped like a buck down the back but then traffic started to form around us and we ended up getting shuffled back approaching three out. I know that I wanted to switch out to get a clearer run but again more traffic issues and it wasn’t until we straightened up after the second last hurdle that I finally had a bit of room. We managed to get right on the stand side rail and, as if by magic, a gap opened up and I was able to see right up the hill. He jumped the last hurdle as if it was the first and he took off, and we must have passed about ten horses before crossing the line after which I struggled to pull him up!"
"I think I gave myself neck ache coming back down from the top as I couldn’t really stop myself from looking over the sea of people in the stands - quite possibly one of my favourite moments from the day. The horse had ran a blinder and I’d had the time of my life".
"I’ve always been extremely fond of Tripoli Flyer, but especially now that he’s given me an experience I’ve dreamed about for a very long time, in very much his own style. I’d also like to say a massive Thank You to his extremely supportive owner Ismail El Magdoub, hopefully better days ahead".
Albi heads to Aintree
It has been a long-term dream for Albi Tuffnell to ride in the Aintree Foxhunters. All being well, this year he'll get to give it a go aboard 'A Moments Madness'.
Albi and A Moments Madness went to Lambourn last week to school over the big fences, they both enjoyed themselves. We wish them the best of luck!
Where are they now?
Have you ever wondered what some of the former stars of Ravenswell are up to now? As you know, thoroughbreds can go on to enjoy a wide variety of disciplines once their racing days are behind them. Finding the very best homes for our horses is paramount, and we take the rehoming process extremely seriously. We are proud that so many of our former racehorses have gone on to lead fulfilling lives and excel in their second careers.
Captain Cattistock was a standout performer for us on the track, winning three times at Cheltenham as well as landing the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh. He retired in 2024 and has since gone to live with his former groom, Morgan, where he is enjoying life beyond racing.
"We’ve been getting out and about show jumping at 90cm and are now aiming to step things up and start tackling 1m courses soon, which is really exciting! Alongside that, we’ve been dabbling in a bit of dressage and making great progress, with hopes of starting our eventing journey later this year".
"We’ve also been out competing in showing, proudly representing the Metropolitan Police, and I’m so pleased to say we’ll also be representing them in showjumping and dressage at the Blue Lights Horse Show this year!"
"He really is the most willing partner, always giving everything that’s asked of him and making every ride so rewarding. Feeling very lucky to have him".
Morgan and Captain Cattistock
Another former FOB horse now enjoying his retirement from racing under rules is Alaphilippe. Although he is still very much competing, he is excelling in the point to point field.
‘Big Phil’, as he is affectionately known, has been with Angie Slatter for two seasons now and earlier this week won the Hunt Members race at Paxford, one of our local meetings.
He has now won three Point to Points, with two victories coming this season, having also won at Didmarton earlier in the year. James King did the steering and clearly gets on very well with him.
Alaphilippe was a great horse for us, finishing a very close second in the Pertemps Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022. Many of the team still follow his progress closely and support him whenever he runs. His former groom, Eve, is usually there as well.
It is so heartwarming to see these horses enjoying life and continuing to compete. Well done to Angie and the Slatter family for keeping him in such great condition and spirits.
Have you ever wondered where to purchase FOB merch?
Foaling around...
Sally has been busy at the stud, with many of the broodmares having thier foals.
She's A Novelty has had a colt foal by Golden Horn, Lutinebella has had a colt by Jack Hobbs and Peerless Beauty has also had a colt by Golden Horn. All three mares were in training with us so it will be even more fascinating to see their progress!
Left to right: She's a Novelty, Peerless Beauty and Lutinebella with their foals.
