Yearly Archives: 2022

Shantou Express ran well last time in a very competitive three-mile handicap hurdle at Haydock. A repeat of that run must put him in with a great chance in what looks virtually a two-horse affair on paper..

Lawful Command put up a determined display last time to win over course and distance. He is up 3lb for that but he remains in great form and I fancy him for the follow-up.

This is mighty competitive and Ajero, on his second run on the flat, will do well to be placed. He will be one for handicaps later so he has to run here on his way to qualifying.

Tango Tonight put in a much-improved display behind a Gosden odds-on shot last time. She has a nice draw and if she finds a little more on that she is probably the one to beat today.

Year Of The Dragon never got involved at Epsom when he was  inconvenienced by another horse in the first part of the race. His best form is around here and if Luke Morris can get him away and go forward from his wide draw he should go close. He is certainly in great form at…

Heart Of Soul probably should have won at Chester when he came out fourth in a close finish to the apprentices' race on the final day. That view was given credibility when he turned out 48 hours later at Hamilton and won easily. He remains in great form and has every chance of following up.

Elham Valley was expected to do well last season after his good juvenile campaign but he never looked like winning a race and has dropped a long way in the handicap. There were more positives to draw from his run here last month and if he did get back to his old form he would…

The dig in the ground will help Kildrum but he will need to offer a good deal more than his recent paceless runs to persuade us to keep him for another season. The likelihood is that he might be elsewhere next time - unless he shows us otherwise tonight!

Amzaan is bred to be a top performer but I'm not sure she puts everything in. The visors are going on for today but I think until I can trust her fully it's a case of best watched.

Gatwick Kitten has been bought for Sophie Smith to ride in amateur races and that will be his next target after today. We're still finding out about him, but this ex-Dermot Weld sprinter, while still a maiden clearly has speed and a little ability. We'll see where we go.

Timberman did well over hurdles and it will be interesting to see how he copes with fences.The Nicholls horse is obviously the one to beat, already a chase winner and with a considerably higher hurdles mark than Timberman. We're probably booked for second.

I wouild have preferred softer ground for Stay Alert but with no rain expected for a while I thought we had to have a go for some black type with the filly. Probably odds against that she can earn it.

Beggarman generally manages to find ways not to win but i think Louis Steward might suit him and the absence of the favourite will also ease his task. Hope rather than expectation despite those positives.

Merry Berry won two weakly-contested summer hurdles last year and then was off for ten months before completing the hat-trick last month in good style at Wincanton. If there is going to be a danger it could be the bottom horse, a winner last time and carrying a 7lb penalty yet still in receipt of…

Henry's Friend is a newcomer by Shirocco. It's only a small field but the favourite was a very expensive buy at auction and the next best in the market already has fair form. It will be nice to see him on the track.

She's A Rocca won well at Newcastle and is only 2lb higher. I fancy her chance of a follow-up and if she gets into a rhythm she should be hard to beat.

We're dropping Furax in trip after his very disappointing start to racing in the UK. He did win a chase in France where his mark was 32lb higher than today's and Jack Hogan takes another value-for-money 7lb off that. Hopefully there will be enough dig in the gound for him to run into a place…

Better Getalong steps up to three miles amid suggestions in certain places that the trip  might be a concern. I do not have those misgivings and expect him to run a good race. Value each-way.