The village of Marton, approximately a 20-minute drive from Coventry, is not known as a hotbed of National Hunt racing.
But one local man is looking to change all that… with some of the biggest races in the calendar in his sights.
Tom Ellis was a successful jockey in his own right, but has since turned to training hurdlers, chasers and point-to-point specialists.
And alongside his wife, the jockey Gina Andrews, they are plotting a route to the very top of the sport from their Warwickshire base…
Late Night Tales
Two horses in particular are leading the way for the Marton duo.
Latenightpass is priced at 14/1 in the Cheltenham betting today for the Cross Country Chase, a unique race at the March festival that is contested on a cross country track complete with natural brush fences.
And his near namesake, Latenightrumble, is no forlorn hope at 20/1 in the horse racing betting for the National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase, having delivered a fine campaign in which he hasn’t finished outside of the places since October.
He will be the first to deliver Cheltenham glory to Ellis, with his handicap renewal taking place on the first day of the festival. And in a season in which he has improved from one race to the next, Latenightrumble certainly has a chance of getting into contention.
It will be fascinating to see how the eight-year-old fares over the longer three-mile, five-furlong trip, but having run over three miles already this season – and knowing Ellis’ fondness for staying chasers – it seems likely that the distance won’t provide
Latenightrumble with any issues.
The handicap has been kind too, assigning the horse a weight of 10st 2lb, which will ensure Latenightrumble takes to the starting line as one of the lightest in the race – aided by the 3lb allowance for his jockey, Jack Andrews (Gina’s brother).
It will be a real family affair for the Ellis’ and Andrews’ at Prestbury Park… which will be made all the sweeter if Latenightrumble can get his nose in front.
It Comes to Pass
The second day of the Cheltenham Festival plays host to the eye-catching Cross Country Chase, in which Latenightpass’ Grand National credentials will surely come in handy.
Gina Andrews was aiming for a unique slice of history at the Aintree spectacle last year; she was hoping to become the first female amateur jockey to win the Grand National, a race that was established more than a century ago.
In the end, Latenightpass would finish 12th in the gruelling four-mile, two-furlong steeplechase, but not before being in contention at the front of the field with just one fence to jump.
It has been a mixed bag for the 12-year-old, who unfortunately unseated Andrews at the first fence last time out in a handicap chase at Ascot in January. But, prior to that, an excellent run at Cheltenham in December saw Latenightpass defeated by three lengths by Stumptown, the favourite for the Cross Country Chase at the festival.
In that outing, Latenightpass was 5lb lighter than Stumptown. At Cheltenham, he will enjoy a mammoth 14lb advantage – so, in theory at least, he will be able to give the favourite a real run for his money.
And what a fillip that would be for the small family yard in Marton…
Article written and submitted by Ben Spencer
