Kildisart primed for Ultima challenge after encouraging Kempton run
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Kildisart has put himself firmly on course for the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with a pleasing run at Kempton.
Trainer Ben Pauling was delighted with the eight-year-old’s timely effort to finish a staying-on fifth to Mister Malarky in Saturday’s Grade Three Betway Handicap Chase.
Kildisart will therefore return to Cheltenham, where he ran a creditable race to finish fourth to Defi Du Seuil in the JLT Novices’ Chase last March.
“He’s come out of his race at Kempton brilliantly,” said Pauling.
“I was very happy with him, and it’s all gearing up now for the Ultima.
“I’m really looking forward to getting him out at Cheltenham. That was much more like him. He finished very well, after struggling to go the early gallop on that tighter track.”
Kildisart shapes with potential for the future at Kempton Park
Kildisart holds an entry in the Randox Health Grand National – as does stablemate Le Breuil, who is also currently in both the Ultima and the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.
Meanwhile, Pauling is hoping Stokes can prove as talented as the England World Cup-winning cricket star, after whom he named his winning debutant.
The equine Stokes did his namesake proud when he led throughout his first racecourse appearance under David Bass on Sunday, en route to a three-length victory at rewarding odds of 28-1 in the opening bumper at Wolverhampton.
Cotswolds trainer and cricket enthusiast Pauling named the gelding in honour of Ben Stokes, immediately after the all-rounder’s match-winning heroics in last summer’s World Cup final against New Zealand at Lord’s.
After instant success on the track, Pauling is excited for the future with the five-year-old – who carries the colours of his wife Sophie.
“We named him after Ben Stokes’ heroics in the World Cup final,” he said.
“We were happy to get it – it’s a great name – and hopefully he’s as good a horse as he is a cricketer.”
Pauling intends to nurture Stokes’ talent, and will not rush the well-bred son of Califet – out of a half-sister to high-class hurdler Iktitaf.
Reflecting on Stokes’ highly-encouraging debut, he said: “I’m chuffed to pieces. He did it really nicely.
“He’s been a horse that has taken time to come to hand. He’s a big horse and we couldn’t have been more impressed with him.”
Stokes has recovered well from his exertions and is likely to run just once more this spring – before graduating to hurdles next season.
“All seems fine today – which is great,” added Pauling.
“At the moment, he’ll just be kept to bumpers this season. I can’t see us going hurdling yet, but he’s a horse that has got a fair bit of ability.
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