Yearly Archives: 2022

Norley was beaten a long way when 2nd in a three-horse race at Huntingdon last time. He has had a wind-op since and we are basing our hopes of a better performance on that.

Samazul, a son of Blue Bresil, made a promising start in the Ascot bumper at the late October meeting that usually throws up some nice horses. He shared the lead there for a long way before gradually drifting back but this promises to be a more comfortable assignment.

Punctuation was in great form at the end of last season and continued the sequence and completed the hat-trick at Uttoxeter on his return. Up another 6lb, the four-timer is no formality but he seems to have more to give so we're hopeful.

I believe Rocky's Treasure holds the Doncaster course record over this trip? This race is his best chance for some time to gain an overdue win. He is very much coming to the end of his career and this could be a perfect way to finish.

Great Heart'Jac has been an utter disappointment on the whole but he does have ability. We have to hope that a four-runner race first time in a chase will rekindle his enthusiasm as although he is top-weight, he has for him a rock-bottom mark. A risky proposition for all that.

It all happened far too quickly for Talk Of The Moon at Southwell. The step up in trip should suit and if it does she might run into a place at a big price.

This is a good race for Hurricane Harvey and we are very hopeful. The slight worry is that he hasn't been travelling early in his races. If Jack can sort that out, he could easily win this.

For the most part The Cob was highly-tried in handicap hurdles at the big meetings last season and his relative lack of succes brings with it a reduced mark. After a slighly eccentric comeback at Sandown he now switches to fences and should be ready for a big run. Hopeful.

For the most part The Cob was highly-tried in handicap hurdles at the big meetings last season and his relative lack of succes brings with it a reduced mark. After a slighly eccentric comeback at Sandown he now switches to fences and should be ready for a big run. Hopeful.

Lilting Verse ran well in a couple of points and then shaped nicely in two bumpers against the boys when she was ridden with a little too much patience but stayed on well. Against her own sex we expect her to be ridden more prominently and she has to be a major player in this…

Top Target ran an excellent race to finish second in his bumper at Worcester in October. He won an English point previously, so has experience and he enjoys jumping hurdles. This is a tough race and we think he has place chances, but hopefully better.

Trac is no forlorn hope. He won a hurdle off this mark last season and probably found the trip too far when well beaten at Newcastle two weeks ago. Has jumped round Auteuil's chase course so might be a bit of a dark horse here.

I've been waiting and waiting for soft/heavy ground for Shakem Up'Arry and he won't be getting it at Exeter today. We'll have to make do with good to soft and 2m3f, but on this galloping track we might get away with it. Looking forward to getting him back on the track.

The Wise Traveller ended his latest campaign with a nice win and the form has been franked by the runner-up a couple of times since. If he can return in similar vein after his break he should go well as he is still on the mark of a moderate animal.

This is an ideal race for Chianti Classico as on paper he has one to beat and he should do so. We are coming here as part of his racing education as he was far too free last time and needs to learn to settle.

Apple Rock did it nicely at Southwell the other day and escaped a penalty as that was a conditionals' race. He's theoretically 6lb well in and has come out of the race well but I'm always wary when taking on a fancied Gary Moore horse as seems to be the case today. Hopeful he can…

You can completely disregard Sporting Mike's first run but he went much better ridden patiently last time when third, a fair way back but belying his 66/1 odds. A progression from that would put him in close contention but he needs to put it all in, which I am a little unsure about.

Lady Percival won nicely here last time and I think the biggest threat to her following up is former stable-companion Percy Jones. I think he was well bought for only 24k at the sales last month and has shown form in better races. She's there to do her best, though, and if the jockey turns…

Lady Percival won nicely here last time and I think the biggest threat to her following up is former stable-companion Percy Jones. I think he was well bought for only 24k at the sales last month and has shown form in better races. She's there to do her best, though, and if the jockey turns…

Gortroe Joe made a creditable return when second to course-specialist Mercian Prince at Kempton. The likely favourite's defection should leave this three-horse affair at Joe's mercy.