Ski Lodge

Trained by Alan King

FORM 2-21-01-222F440    OR 112

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"It will be interesting to see the exact mark given to Ski Lodge but I've no doubt he can win a handicap hurdle. I can't wait to see him over a fence in due course" Alan King - Trainer

A lovely progressive horse but he over raced on hurdling debut in November at Ffos Las and didn’t get home. However, just three weeks later he settled far better and duly won a 3m novice hurdle at Haydock under Tom Bellamy. 
 
Unfortunately he then picked up an injury, this diagnosed as pulled muscles across his quarters and back.  It was a nasty setback which necessitated a lengthy period of treatment but Alan King expertly brought him back to full fitness. However as the spring was so dry we agreed not to risk such a big horse on watered ground.
 
Ideally we would have gone directly over fences but the handicapper said “needs three runs” so we headed to Lingfield for a 0-125 handicap hurdle over 2m4f.  Jockey Tom Bellamy was thrilled when Ski Lodge’s effort in finishing 2nd to the well handicapped Scorpio Rising.  Tom reported the ground to be only just soft enough and that his mount took a blow. 
 
Ski Lodge made his chase debut at Uttoxeter (9th Dec) when 2nd to runaway winner Itseemslikeit. No one likes coming 2nd but Ski Lodge did nothing wrong bar a mistake 3 out.  Since then he’s again finished 2nd at Haydock (30th Dec) but showed a very likeable attitude and jumped superbly.  Ski Lodge then went to Hereford (26th Jan) where he uncharacteristically took a heavy tumble but thankfully both he and Tom Bellamy were OK bar some bruising. 
 
His latest outing when 4th at Wetherby (26th Feb) left us puzzled.  The positives were his excellent jumping, Hereford had not left a mark and his attitude was also fine.  However his finishing effort from the third last fence was tame. 
 
After a six week gap Ski Lodge  headed to Haydock (4th April) where he again travelled like the best horse in the race until faltering on the run to the last fence.  Tom Bellamy said he ran out of gas, didn’t stay 3m1f but we are all confused as last season he looked like he would get 4m. It was the same story at Uttoxeter (2nd May) where he weakened over 2m4f. He is a conundrum waiting to be solved but he’s got bundles of talent.  We just need to extract it so we’ll be sending him to Dr Ben Brain to have his wind checked.

About the Trainer

Alan King

Alan King is a highly respected dual-purpose trainer, excelling in both National Hunt and flat racing. Based in Barbury Castle, Wiltshire, King first rose to prominence in jumps racing, with major wins at the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National meetings. Horses like Voy Por Ustedes, My Way de Solzen, and Edwardstone have brought him considerable success over fences and hurdles. King’s background in show jumping and racing gives him a comprehensive understanding of a horse’s athleticism and temperament. Over time, he has expanded his operations into flat racing, finding success in major flat handicaps and even Royal Ascot. His ability to adapt his training methods across different codes of racing showcases his versatility, making him one of the most accomplished trainers in British horse racing.

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