Yearly Archives: 2022

King Of The South just needed the run after the layoff when sixth not beaten far in the Listed race at Kempton. This is more his thing as he always goes well here and he's back in handicap company. In great shape and we're very hopeful of a fifth course win.

Optimise Prime is in good form at home but he needs to come back to his best after his disastrous season. I'm hopeful he will, and he certainly has the ability to be competitive off his mark.

We ran Quinta Do Mar in better class races over hurdles last season having won twice including around here earlier in the campaign. We gave him an initial run over fences for his seasonal debut at Uttoxeter and he shaped nicely. Able to run in this 0-130 and with the fitness from that reappearance to…

Does He Know has had a really difficult start to his season and this was never his intended race. Sandown being  abandoned last week did not help and now he carries 12 stone over 3 miles 3 furlongs. That said, he is well and we will be delighted if he is placed

We've waited for the ground for Slipway and it should be just about okay for him to make his seasonal debut. He ended last season with an impressive win at Perth and has been ready to run for a while. Hopeful of a winning return.

Grange Ranger is usually a sound jumper but last time he made a mistake, fell and landed on his read end, causing a haematoma which took six weeks to get rid of, thereby ending his season. He would prefer more cut but runs well here and is not without a place chance.

Karl Philippe had a productive season over fences mainly in small fields and despite not always jumping securely. He is back in good form at home but on this return we hope in this bigger field the jumping doesn't let him down.

Anightinlambourn ran her heart out last time, just being denied over the course and distance, I fear though that the handicapper has over-reacted putting her up 6lb and she might have reached her maximum. It will take another major improvement for her to figure in this even deeper handicap chase.

Ocean Drifter had good form two seasons ago but following an injury the following year returns now after 568 days off the track. He has been schooling and working well but obviously will improve for the outing after such an absence.

Eairsidh is low grade and needs good ground, hence running him at Taunton. He's probably better at 2m4f than this longer trip and he has plenty on his plate today as his price suggests.

Icy Dip ran much better than a 300/1 chance when fifth last time and I'm having to run her back as there aren't too many Class D races around. As long as the race hasn't come too quickly, we have to fancy her to go close given a little more improvement.

This big horse ran well all last season without quite getting his head in front. Phantom Getaway seems stronger now and must have a great chance of being placed or better in this competitive handicap hurdle.

Mortlach has had a very busy and productive season since the spring but is up a good deal in grade here. He always runs his race but this is very tough.

Big Jim Beam was probably on his way to an easy win on the second of his two Irish points just over a year ago when coming down at the final fence. A son of Westerner, he has been shaping nicely on the gallops and we are hopeful for a forward run on stable debut…

This bonny horse has won two of his four starts over hurdles. The step up in trip should help Sayadam but the downside is that he has to carry 12st, well in fact 12st 3lb as all runners carry 3lb more as jockeys are not allowed to go into saunas! It's a tough, competitive race…

Kildrum finally ended his losing run over this course and distance at the 17th time of asking and off just 3lb higher he has to go well. Emma rode him that day and is in great form. The same is true of Kildrum who has been working very nicely and stays all day. Certainly each-way…

Gerard Mentor is not the easiest to ride and Kai Lenihan did well to win on him two runs back. The ground could become an issue if they have any more rain. He has every chance of being placed or better if conditions do not deteriorate.

Hard As Nails is one of two interesting newcomers for us in what looks a pretty strong fillies' and mares' bumper. She is bred to be decent and it will be interesting to see her perform for Paddy first time up.

Guetapan Collonges did well in his first season's chasing. If he can get into a rhythm he should run a big race on this comeback.

Lady Percival has improved the last twice since trying staying trips, unsurprisingly as she is half-sister to Quickthorn. The owner has been keen to keep her going and hopefully she can turn the tables with Seal Of Soloman, to whom she was a strong-finishing second here last time.