Monthly Archives: January 2021

Running here will qualify Alaphilippe for the EBF Final at Sandown but today's task under a double penalty looks tough. To be fair we do not know quite how good he is but on official ratings he has a fair bit to find trying to give 10lb to a horse rated 2lb higher. It would…

It's just not been happening for Petite Ganache the last couple of times so we're switching him back over fences. He's schooled nicely and now I'm trying him in blinkers. He has the ability so let's hope they help him concentrate - if so he would have a decent chance.

If we'd have had a half reasonable winter I think we might have had a good campaign with Kitty Hall and maybe it's not too late. She disappointed on her comeback but back to two miles she can run a nice race.

Bullion Boss won okay up there the last time. He's a horse you have to drop right in and ride for luck and hopefully back there over a half-mile shorter trip he can cope with the 8lb rise.

Twojayslad won at Doncaster and should go well again but I wouldn't want the ground to be too tacky. They've had plenty of rain at Ludlow so hopefully they will go through it okay.

The form of Fine Casting's second at Warwick looks pretty strong and I think it will take a decent newcomer to beat him. For a bumper horse he has plenty of speed.

I was very surprised to see the money for San Juan overnight - it certainly wasn't from anyone connected with the stable. Until we get his suspect wind sorted I think he'll struggle to win a race and while this is a very poor contest he didn't progress from his second to third run.

20/01/21 - 1st 2/1 Original quote: "The form of Fine Casting's second at Warwick looks pretty strong and I think it will take a decent newcomer to beat him. For a bumper horse he has plenty of speed."

It didn't help that Tequila Blaze finished lame after pulling up at Wetherby last time but she had never gone a yard on what was tacky ground. She had shown her true colours on a  very wet surface at Lingfield the time before, running very well for second in a strong race and it will…

Minella Tara was probably going to finish second at Southwell last time but fell at the final fence. He wouldn't have troubled the runaway winner, however, and the biggest factor for him today will be the going as he wants better ground. That will make it difficult to fancy his chance.

Del La Mar Rocket is a nice horse and I think he should handle the ground. I'm hoping for an improvement on his first race and while I believe the front two in the betting are potentially useful, he should be there or thereabouts.

Hollie Doyle comes in to try to galvanise Tanqeeb. He got his head in front with a narrow win at Bath and went up 7lb. Three defeats since have prompted a combined 1lb drop. Presumably another 18 might get him back to the Bath mark and that's why we need someone like Hollie for a…

Lucky's Dream has been running very well on the all-weather and his rating is up to 87. He's stepping up a fair way in trip but a slow pace which is always possible in these types of race might be to his advantage. The Henderson mare is the obvious one we have to beat.

This is a first run in a handicap for Timeless Beauty who is in good form and it will be interesting to see how she goes.I think she may be better than her mark of 99 suggests.

Jersey Wonder ran perfectly well on his hurdles debut when fourth at Taunton. I've been waiting for better ground and as he was a smart handicapper on all-weather when with Jamie Osborne running in one of these races was too good an opportunity to miss. He should have a great each-way chance today.

Robelli didn't run too badly on his sole bumper at Warwick just over a year ago, showing a degree of promise. He'll probably improve for the outing but as a son of Getaway should have more to come further down the road.

The ratings seem to say otherwise but the front two in the betting could be quite decent. I always liked Honor Grey and thought he had plenty of ability but he has been disappointing. I wouldn't be surprised if he ran a big race today though.

Imperial Alcazar should go well but we were wondering after his run last time at Haydock whether he truly gets three miles. He will tell us one way or another today as it's another competitive race and he has a big weight. If he stays he should make the frame.