Thursday 27 October 2016 10:22, UK
Rivalling the likes of Aidan O'Brien and John Gosden on turf may be a battle beyond the resources of Mick Appleby - but the chances of clinching a second All-Weather Champion Trainer title is very much a distinct possibility.
Having finished runner-up in the two previous campaigns, Appleby, who will be moving his team from his current base in Danethorpe to a site in Oakham next month, finally got his hands on the crown - and the £10,000 winner's cheque - after topping the table last season.
Although it is often said that retaining titles is harder than winning them, Appleby will not give up on the prize he fought hard for during the colder months, despite acknowledging that repeating that success will be far from straightforward.
Appleby said: "We will be certainly trying to win it again and we would have a good chance again, although I think it will be a lot more difficult.
"We have a good team, though, and we will try to bang in the winners.
"It helped last year with Godolphin not having many runners, but I am not sure what their plans are for this year, while we are moving yards in November and I hope that doesn't affect us too much
"I would hope to have a string of about 40 to work with and we are bringing in a few more this week to go to war with."
Having been pushed all the way during the last championship by David Evans, former jockey Appleby feels the Abergavenny handler will be near the top of the standings once again. But he is not the only name he expects to face a stern challenge from.
Appleby said: "I would imagine David Evans would have a good team and will probably be going all out to try and win it and I imagine Richard Fahey will have a fair few.
"With Newcastle now part of it a few more of the northern trainers will probably be stronger. Keith Dalgleish could be another that may have a good team."
While a number of horses helped Appleby reach his table-topping tally of 38 winners, no horse played a bigger role than the aptly-named Supersta who proved just that after chalking up five victories between October and February.
Appleby expects the son of Pivotal to pay his way again this winter and selected three other names he hopes will play a leading role in helping him register back-to-back titles.
Appleby said: "Supersta did very well last winter. He won five in the last championship but he is at the top end of the handicap now. I think he could be back to winning a couple more, but he will struggle to win what he did last year.
"That is another thing that will make things harder, in the fact that a lot of those that did well last year are now much higher in the handicap.
"Mithqaal won the Silver Cambridgeshire and was purchased with the all-weather in mind and I expect more to come now switched to it.
"Hakam won first time out for me and he should have more to offer, while a dark horse to follow could be Win Lose Draw."
