Alastair Ralph and his team on the up at Bind Farm

Ralph’s pedigree speaks for itself after stints with Dr Richard Newland, Henry Daly and multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls all providing valuable experience to set him up nicely now he has gone alone.

A fibresand schooling ring has proved a shrewd investment as the British winter often hits trainers hard, but with this ring Ralph and the team can keep the horses ticking over.

A woodchip gallop proves a stern test for the horses as they exercise and with work being carried out on a new gallop especially for the ‘babies’, Ralph is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for success.

Horses such as Cut The Corner and Gustave Mahler have been the flag bearers for the yard the past few seasons, but after going for a look around I anticipate there to be a good deal more than two star horses at The Bind in the coming seasons.

With plans fluid regards to future expansion and a flat license now to his name, I am of the belief that this is a trainer and a yard firmly on the up.

And he has given us a run down on his charges, below.

A Bold Move

He’s had a wind op and ran a nice race last time out. Off his current mark we think he is quite well handicapped, as his wind was very bad. If we have sorted that we should see him in a better light. Works well and we’ve hopefully found the key to him.

Billingsley

Recently been bought by Dai Walters and The Potters and we plan to send him novice chasing. A nice big horse who handles soft ground, but I don’t think he is ground dependent. He has schooled well and I hope he makes up into a good staying chaser.

Broughtons Admiral

I think he is a very good horse who likes soft ground. Ran a nice race at Aintree over a inadequate trip and I think he should improve a lot this season when stepped up in trip.

Comber Mill

A good tough horse who enjoys going from the front. He loves heavy ground and I can see a big improvement in him now he is chasing.

Cut The Corner

Been a great servant for us, started off a mark of 119 and is now rated 140. Finding life a bit tough at the moment and he will go to Ludlow for their first meeting before potentially being put away through the winter. He will be considered for veteran races also.

Gustave Mahler

Amazing how he hasn’t won over fences yet, but he has been bumping into some good novice chasers. His day is coming soon I’m sure and will probably have one or two more runs on good ground before coming back in the spring.

Included

A good mare who won well at Bangor before finishing second at Worcester two days later. Probably will have another run over hurdles before having a go on the flat. Looking forward to sending her over fences one day.

Seymour Star

Consistent, tough horse. Found it difficult last season off his mark but there is a chance he will go novice chasing despite his age. Didn’t jump well at Ludlow but that probably wasn’t the best place to take him.

Tempuran

Dotted up at Ludlow last season and will have a couple runs on the flat before being sent back hurdling.

Out Of Style

New to us this season and comes with a good reputation. Had a few issues, but if we can sort those out he is potentially quite exciting for this season.

Daario Naharis

Very exciting horse and certainly a dark horse to follow. Ran in a strong bumper on debut where the winner was well regarded and the second is a decent horse also. He will be sent novice hurdling and, although I haven’t decided where and when just yet, I am very excited by him.

Battle Dust

He wants soft ground so we are in no rush to get him out early in the season. I think he too is well handicapped as he has dropped to a nice mark.

Champagne Mist

Ran in what was the best point-to-point I’ve ever seen. Blackbow (now with Willie Mullins) won the race and Canelo (bought by JP McManus) was second. He picked up a injury that day, but we have sorted that and he has a serious engine. We like him a lot and he will go straight over hurdles.

Bob Ford

Back with us now after winning for us on his only run for us last year before going back to Dr Newland’s. Part of the Bind Racing club and he is the ideal horse for those staying races and veteran races.

Pyromaniac

Recently bought him from Tony Martin’s yard in Ireland. He is a big Saturday horse for us and we hope that a change of scenery will freshen him up and if it does he is a very exciting acquisition.

Stung For Cash

In the top 100 Irish point-to-point horses last year. Will relish soft/heavy ground and is one for later on. The Irish point-to-point boys liked him a lot and I think he has a nice future.

Move Above

Only had one run for us so far, in what was a good bumper. A nice horse for this season and he will go novice hurdling.

Mick Mona

Related to Mick Jazz (third in Champion Hurdle) so is obviously well related. A nice mare who we had last season but she didn’t make it to the track with the view that she is very much one for this season. She will go down the bumper route.