The champagne corks were popping at Somerville Lodge after the sparkling 2yo debut performance by Extremely Vain took the yards total wins for the year in GB to a best ever 176.
With an increase in the number of older horses staying in training this year – a target of 200 in 2026 is clearly achievable.
Don’t expect that to be eaten into too much in January and February with the yard chalking up 9 winners in total in January over the past 3 seasons and 6 in February.
This year we will give the same focused attention to the yard but we will only recommend bets when we have a high level of certainty and value. Last season these would have been our 3pt recommendations.
Despite the increase in the stables numbers, the resurgence of the Gosden’s and the all consuming Karl Burke juggernaut, it will be tougher than ever to land the big prizes, but in Haggas we trust!
The early runners in 2026 have been very much a case of keeping the yard ticking over with Luminaire, Wilshire, Star Obsession and Florida Suite being notable only for the big drift they took in the markets.
This week , weather permitting Berlinetta and Magic Stone will bid for some early 3yo handicap success. Fallon is booked on Magic Stone and with Tom and Holly taking a well earned break – Jason Hart comes in for the ride on Berlinetta.
On Friday the 3yo maiden Vizaja looks to get more experience at Lingfield Park with Keiran O Neil on board as the filly has only 8’5 to carry. Fallon is booked to ride the ultra tough Carbine Harvester in a hot looking 0-90 Class 3 handicap at Wolverhampton.
It is extremely unlikely we will have any recommendations before April but we will keep you updated with any news and developing stories.
If you fancy a Haggas horse, as always avoid the debutants, the maiden fillies and the handicap drifters.
One early Ante Post note – I will be very surprised if Eternal Force is not targeted at the Lincoln Handicap for the Somerville Lodge team who have Won 2 of the last 7 runnings of the Doncaster feature and 4 times in total including last years winner Godwinson, ridden by Ceiren Fallon who mugged Billy Loughnane and Olivers Show on the line.
That was something of a surprise, if Eternal Force gets to post in full working order victory, I believe, will be very much expected.
Eternal Force has the perfect profile for the race and gave us two big pay days last season. His mark of 96 looks to have plenty of wiggle room and if he has wintered well expect him to be entered in February and to be at the head of the Ante Post market !
But don’t jump in Bullet Point took pole position in 2025 and was not declared at the next forfeit stage, as a lot depends on the horses work after the initial entries are made.
5th January 2026
Chrysalis Consortium 
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