Monthly Archives: November 2020

It was great to see the horses running into form over the past few days and I wouldn't be shocked if Quoteline Direct went close. Billy Garrity thought he should have ridden him closer to the pace at Southwell the other day and I'll be encouraging P.J. to have him handy tonight. Should go well…

Dragons Will Rise has been running very well at Newcastle an while the Tapeta here doesn't always ride exactly like up there, he should adapt to it. He remains on a reasonable mark and can continue in form under Rab Havlin.

This Intermediate chase is always a competitive race and today's six-strong affair is no exception. Imperial Aura will probably go off favourite after his Cheltenham Festival win and we are hopeful he will justify the market support.

Bathiva makes his debut for the stable having joined from David Dennis, for whom he won easily on his last start at Taunton in March. This looks competitive but he is in good form at home and conditions today should suit. Good chance of making the frame.

Applaus hasn't run since Christmas and he wasn't in the best of form when he signed off. After such a break it is fair to think he might be better for the run.

Henrietta Bell has been in good form at home and is continuing to be very consistent in her races. Hopefully the galloping track and underfoot conditions should suit her well and she will run a big race.

Kildisart is having his first run over hurdles for two and a half years. The principal object is to get him right for the Ladbroke Trophy (Hennessy to you and me!) in a month's time, but never mind that, he's in good form and should run well here despite being an outsider.

We're looking for a clear round with Silver Tassie who fell last time on the course back in December. Hopefully he'll run well but top weight won't be easy.

Dawnvida is a very nice filly by Dawn Approach. Again we have the unknown of whether she will handle the testing ground on her debut. I think it's worth risking an each-way bet at the long odds that she can cope with conditions.

A candidate for the best-named horse to be running in 2020, Masked Identity never got into contention at Chelmsford from his wide draw. He won well in soft ground on the July Course on his previous start and looks to have a great chance today. He's been in great order at home.

Sometimes Always will need to settle. If he does he could be a force to be reckoned with as he did well in his novice runs last year.

As with Silver Tassie, our other runner in this handicap, we'll be looking for a safe run round on his first outing since February. On home work he'll probably be the one to go a little better and again he should run a nice race.

Castle Rushen is a grand horse who did very well when first then second in his two bumpers around here. This is a nice starting point for his hurdles career and we think he's a very good prospect for Mr Hemmings.