Quinz

This seven year old French horse is owned by Andrew L Cohen and trained by Philip Hobbs. In the last twelve months he has had three wins. In February 2011 at 8/1 he won The Racing Post Chase at Kempton giving his jockey Richard Johnson a great gallop on good to soft going. He won by a length and a quarter from 50/1 shot Mount Oscar.

Despite limited experience over fences trainer Hobbs said,”It’s amazing really because last year he ran in two novice chases at Newbury and his jumping was moderate, but he is a different horse now,” although he has decided not to enter him at Cheltenham as he is unsure the course will suit him.

Jockey, Richard Johnson said “He’s really grown up and learned a lot. It’s a very good effort to win a big handicap like this as a novice. “He went chasing last year but I don’t think he was mentally ready. They have done a great job with him and brought him along slowly”.

Johnson was not convinced about entering him for the Grand National but trainer Hobbs said “He is in the Grand National – Richard’s initial reaction was that it’s not a good idea but he would get in without a penalty and he’ll never get to run off a weight like that again”.