James Ewart heads into the new National Hunt season full of optimism and excitement after installing a state-of-the-art Tapeta gallop at his base in the Scottish Borders.
Ewart has had a good grounding for the training game, having worked under the likes of Nicky Henderson, Ferdy Murphy and multiple French champion trainer Guillaume Macaire before starting out on his own in 2004.
He has quickly built up a reputation as one of the most upwardly mobile young trainers on the northern circuit, saddling 23 winners from his Langholm base during the last campaign, with Quicuyo and Time Out scoring four times apiece. He is confident of beating that tally this season.
"We train in the Scottish Borders and first and foremost it is wonderful to have a Tapeta gallop in Scotland and I am very proud to have it here on the farm," said Ewart, speaking at a press morning at his yard.
"It's a Flat, oval gallop over five and a half furlongs. We've had a very wet winter so far, which means all the turf gallops you might utilise are terribly testing. We've now got this gallop, which has allowed us to continue working horses on a surface you would consider good ground.
"This is only the fourth Tapeta track in the UK. Two are at Godolphin in Newmarket and the other is Mark Johnston's in Middleham. For us to have the fourth is a massive thing for us."
Tapeta is the brainchild of the legendary trainer Michael Dickinson, most famous for saddling the first five home in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup
Ewart went on: "We have 35 horses in training and I think there's a few young horses to look out for. We have a very nice novice chaser called Lets Get Serious, who won his bumper at Cheltenham for Nicky Henderson. He'll run at Doncaster on November 30.
"We have an exceptionally nice novice hurdler called Lord Wishes, who won his two bumpers from two starts. He might go to Doncaster as well.
"We have a very exciting recruit from France who won his only start over hurdles, called Rockawango, and the handicapper to watch is Beneficial Reform. He was second to Air Force One at Doncaster last season and set the track record there over three miles as a novice. He's very exciting ."
13 May 2013
Fabre confirms Ocovango for EpsomAspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout
12 May 2013
No hurry for Jammy plansGuest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning
11 May 2013
Felix foot-perfect on fencing debutCavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory
10 May 2013
Telescope focus is on DanteBlinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests