Yearly Archives: 2022

Hector Javilex had decent placed form in Irish points and did not fare too badly first time over hurdles for the stable at Ludlow. We gave him a wind-op after that run and are hoping for a better showing now.

Shighness got up late to win a bumper here but she has been less impressive in her two hurdles starts. She will probably be seen to best advantage in low-grade handicaps.

Crambo is home-bred by Sullivan Racing and he has a great pedigree for jumping - by Saddler Maker out of a mare by Martaline. He won very nicely here on Boxing Day and can stay unbeaten by defying the penalty against some promising types.

Paint The Dream is in great form. He does not always run to his best but on his day he is hard to beat and if the race goes his way he could easily come out on top.

Universal Folly probably wants two-and-a-half miles now and maybe in time three miles, but the ground will be very testing here and even this trip will take plenty of getting. He's at Doncaster in part for a birthday party and with the boy taking 10lb off he could easily come into the argument and give…

Nells Son is a grand horse and I think he has a nice chance with ground to suit him today. He ran well enough when fourth behind Jonbon at Haydock last time and while he has ground to make up on the runner-up it's not impossible he could manage it.

Although Hurricane Harvey ran a few nice races over fences, notably his third in the Badger Beer at Wincanton, he has been below the level of his hurdles form a couple of seasons back. He reverts to the smaller obstacles today off a much-reduced mark and it would not be a shock if he were…

Chadlington Lad has been gradually improving as he gains jumping experience. This opposition is probably a cut above his level at this stage.

Jaytee has been running well all season, initially over hurdles then last time switched to chases at Leicester. He was a good second there on debut and normal improvement would make him the one to beat in this chase handicap.

Glimpse Of Gala showed stamina and a decent finishing burst to take advantage when a winning opportunity presented itself at Warwick. She ran another good race when stepped up to three miles around here, finishing a creditable third and is one of the main contenders in a wide-open handicap hurdle.

Karl Philippe was a decent novice hurdler last season and he has been progressing nicely over fences, winning around this course and distance in January. The handicapper has not been over-harsh and we are hopeful he can put in a repeat performance.

Houston Texas is going the right way and although he faces a tough Irish opponent, he does get 19lb from him. As we speak this morning I'm sitting on him - he's big enough to carry plenty of weight! - and he will stay every yard of the three-and-a-quarter miles. The favourite will need to…

Better Getalong was rated a good deal higher over hurdles earlier in his career but a fractured pelvis stopped him in his tracks. To his credit he has returned with all his enthusiasm but seems not to enjoy jumping fences and now we are back over hurdles off a much lower mark. You have to…

Another Emotion has been in good form at home and this looks the ideal race for him. The negative is that we see him to best efect on testing ground.

Apple Rock has so far been some way below the level he achieved last winter. Accordingly his mark has come down to 6lb below his last winning rating and he only needs to find his feet again to go close in this open handicap.

Second twice in bumpers, Lutinebella will know more than most of these and on form is the pick. The problem, though, as ever will be something unexposed coming from out of the pack. Good chance especially if that doesn't materialise.

Bobhopeornohope runs in a competitive handicap but we know he acts on the track and the ground should be perfect for him. He goes there in very good form

This is undoubtedly the right race for Castle Robin who was sick after his last run. At Exeter earlier in the season he beat Lord Accord and is now 3lb better off. On that he is the form choice in a tricky three-horse affair.

Mr Grey Sky showed improved form to win last time. He has gone up 6lb in the handicap but so long as the ground does not dry out too much, he should again go very close.

Ajero won four times in an excellent season last winter. After a couple of runs he is now now back on that last winning mark and with the ground at Taunton probably to his liking he can easily resume the winning thread here.