Monthly Archives: February 2022

Gaelic Park is a grand horse but not a natural bumper horse, rather a proper galloper. Hopefully he will run well but this is probably a decent contest and there's been word for one or two of the others.

Surtitle joins Great Heart'Jac in this novice hurdle after two runs in bumpers, with a good second here last time. He will benefit from the experience but he clearly has ability.

Fair Frontieres started the season well with an impressive win at Worcester. Last time he stopped very quickly so hopefully you can forget that run. Small field and boring, so say place chances. Would be delighted to go close.

Manofthepeople has run well enough in his three novice races, in the latest probably finding the ground too testing. A point winner, he starts handicapping on a fair mark and is in good shape at home.

Lots Of Luck would probably prefer softer ground. He was third in this race last year off 10lb higher but is now  back down to a winning mark. Place chances at least again.

Del La Mar Rocket was most impressive winning a heavy ground bumper at Exeter by miles last season. If he can brush up his jumping he should not be far away with testing conditions on this stiff track playing to his strengths.

Point winner Lassue made a promising start to hurdling at Exeter, staying on strongly for second. The extra distance will all be in her favour as will the 7lb she receives from the boys. Hopeful.

This race comes up a little soon for Yorktown after his good run around here on Saturday. He was staying on late and the extra furlong can only be to his advantage. Big chance if he has fully recovered from those exertions.

This race comes up a little soon for Yorktown after his good run around here on Saturday. He was staying on late and the extra furlong can only be to his advantage. Big chance if he has fully recovered from those exertions.

Royle Steel was promising in his junior bumper at Doncaster, staying on so we had him handy on jumps debut at Wetherby but he was very free and ran into a brick wall on the heavy ground. We will ride him more conservatively today and hopefully he will come home better.

Author's Dream was not helped in a tactical race around Wolverhampton last time where he was outspeeded in the straight. He was much more at home previously on his first try at the Tapeta surface here however winning nicely. It's slightly shorter today but he should hold every chance of getting back in the winner's…

Gallopade won impressively on racecourse debut at Fakenham in November. She has continued to impress at home and we are looking forward to seeing if he can defy the penalty.

This looks a very modest novice handicap chase for mares and while Rosearelli is nothing special she did well enough on her first two starts over hurdles. I was probably a bit quick with her for the third run at Leicester but she's had a good break now. Each-way chances in a moderate race.

I had this race in mind for Sparkle In His Eye immediately after he won over a mile at Kempton where the boy gave him a great ride. The seven here should be fine if he gets him out from his good draw with the same alacrity and he will be staying on strongly up…

Houston Texas has run a couple of okay races and did well last time when second at Newcastle. If he repeats that he won't be too far away today.

Applaus made a good return when second at Carlisle and I probably ran him too quickly to give his locally-based owners a chance to see him at Wetherby over Christmas. He's freshened up nicely and on a course he loves could go very close.

Houston Texas has run a couple of okay races and did well last time when second at Newcastle. If he repeats that he won't be too far away today.

Captain Cattistock has been a decent long-distance hunter chaser in the past but switching to open handicap company has so far been relatively unrewarding. He is right at the foot of the weights for this marathon and while the trip should not be a problem, the opposition is talented. Small chance.

If we are going to have a winner today it will be Schiehallion Munro who will not mind the ground and goes well around Wetherby. Fergal's horse is the danger but Schiehallion is in great order and will take some stopping.

Glen Forsa drops back in trip today after his rider came in following his run at Doncaster and said he didn't stay. He is down another few pounds and we are looking for a good run to help qualify for the final of the conditional jockeys' veterans' series.