Yearly Archives: 2019

Amberose is a consistent mare and she won well at Carlisle last time. She shows her best form there admittedly but can also run well elsewhere and she has an obvious each-way chance today.

Hopefully it goes ahead after the 11.30 inspection but to stage a two-day fixture at this time of year, with the big day depending on how the track is after the first, has to be tempting fate. After his win here last month, Not So Sleepy has been aimed at this valuable prize and he…

This lovely horse has done little wrong in his two bumpers, finishing second first time and then a good winner. His form is rock solid but I do worry about today's ground. He is not the biggest and if he handles it he will run well and could be placed or better. Unknown territory today…

Cavok is on a nice mark having lost her way a bit at the end of her last campaign. She won't mind the ground as it was very heavy when she won her Irish point. It's unfortunate that she has a big weight but we're taking 7lb off and are hopeful she'll run a good…

Double Up is coming back from a break after a disappointing spring campaign. He is on a downward spiral as far as his rating goes and if he could show anything like his best form, he would have an obvious chance.

19/12/19 1st 11/10 Original quote: "This mare won a point-to-point in Ireland last month and being by Doyen she should handle the very soft ground. She has been pleasing at home and we are hoping for a very bold showing"

We are praying it was lack of stamina over three miles that caused Blue Monday to stop so abruptly last time. If he gets the 2m4f he will have a future but if he weakens again that's a much more worrying situation.

Equus Secretus did well in a brief chase campaign  last season, finishing second in two novices but seemed not to enjoy the Aintree fences in the Topham. He resumes here after a long break when top weight and testing ground may not be ideal.

Maradadi is a nice filly who was always destined to be a jumper. The ground may not be ideal for her and thankfully it's only a mile and a half. She did one nice piece of work - getting plenty of weight - and I must say her price looks a little short!

After frustratingly unseating at the first fence last time, we are hopeful Jammy George will bounce back. He has done plenty of schooling at home and the race should suit him well. We believe he is a proper staying chaser for the future.

Sir Canford has been quite progressive if without much luck recently on the flat and has schooled nicely. He's not the strongest of horses so this heavy ground isn't ideal and I'm surprised to see him so short. It's not the greatest race for Newbury, but I'm sure he'll need the experience and expect better…

Illustrious Spirit has his issues but even considering that has been very disappointing on the track. He is better drawn here than at Wolverhampton last time and the easier 6f will be a help. Not really one to rely on.

Elusiv has lost his way a little and the experiment of leaving off the visor at Chelmsford seemed not to work. We've reapplied it for today and hope that might rekindle the enthusiasm.

Renardeau won really well last time and although he's 1lb worse today under the penalty than his new mark - something I hate doing - there's not another 1m4f 0-75 around Lingfield for some time. There's one to beat on paper, and as we're in form also, who's to say we won't win again?

Cockney Beau has put in two solid efforts in bumpers so far. He will need to improve again to be winning this, but realistically is probably our best chance today.

The Very thing showed ability for his previous yard but then lost his way. He goes well at home and we have trained him as we would a good horse. There is still plenty to find out about him but we are hopeful he can do well for us.

Zen Master should run all right today. It's not a great field and he has each-way chances.

Encore Champs has jumped well on both runs over fences so far. This step up in trip will help him and we expect him to run a good race today.

Almazhar Garde didn't get the 2m5f at Hereford and he also had traffic problems in a congested field. He jumps fences very well so with a clear run he should have a good each-way chance.

There are a couple of stand-outs in this big field of novice hurdlers. Champagne Noir disappointed last time at Aintree but he ran well at Carlisle and I'm hopeful he can fill third.