Change of stable for Ring the Bell

Press, 3 September 1981, Page 20

Change of stable for Ring the Bell

NZPA London The New Zealand trainer, Neville Atkins, and the top English trainer, Henry Cecil, have parted company over Ring the Bell, but they both say there were no hard feelings.

"I just wasn’t getting anywhere with him and I thought it best to say so,” Cecil told N.Z.P.A. from his Newmarket stables.

“I feel rather sorry for the horse. He really is a lovely horse and he’s a real gentleman. He deserves to do well over here.”

Atkins, who flew to Britain with Ring the Bell at the end of July to prepare him for the rich Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 4, has decided to take him to Dickie Westbrook, one of the smaller Newmarket trainers. This follows discussions with the Auckland businessman, Mr Hilton Mackley, and Australian Mr Geoff "Wild, whose wives are partowners, after they arrived in Newmarket at the week-end. Ring the Bell’s jockey, Nigel Tlley, also flew to Newmarket at Atkins’s request. The colt may have his first

start at Goodwood on September 14. Atkins said there was nothing wrong with the horse. “He’s as good as gold,” he said, but according to Atkins, Ring the Bell had been worked too hard at Cecil’s stables and given too much hill work.

Cecil disputed this. “In no way have I worked him hard,” he said. “He had his first proper bit of work on Saturday. Lester Piggott rode him behind two other horses. He was never going well at any stage. He was only going at half the speed behind the others.” Cecil, one of the most highly respected trainers in Britain has trained the Ascot Gold Cup winner for the last three years, and retains Lester Piggott as a stable jockey. “I don’t know whether Ring the Bell was affected by the hard campaign he had before he came over but he just didn’t acclimatise," Cecil said. “I’ve sat and sat and sat and haven’t been getting anywhere.” Time is not on Ring the Bell’s side, accordine to the

Newmarket trainer. “I’ve a feeling we’re going to be very lucky if he acclimatises at all this year,” he said. “And if he doesn’t, his best chance would be to have the winter over here and start all over again.” Cecil added: “I shall be thrilled if he comes right. All his New Zealand connections have been terribly good and very understanding. I admire them coming over here. I’ve never had a cross word with Neville Atkins.” Atkins said he was taking full control of the horse and still hoped to start him in the Arc for which nominations close on September 9. Ring the Bell had been nominated for the September Stakes at Kempton Park this Saturday, but he will not have his first start now before the Valdoe Stakes at Goodwood on September 14. If he is not right by then, he may start in the Prix du Prince D’Orange at Longchamp on September 20. Atkins said there were no hard feelings over leaving the Cecil stables. “Henry’s said he’s happy to help me in every way he can,” he said.