Monthly Archives: January 2023

We will only run Tip Top Cat if the ground is suitable and I am pessimistic that will be the case. If he does run I am not sure he will be tough enough to handle this grade.

Lordsbridge Girl came good last time at Kempton and while she likes that track there's no reason why she shouldn't handle it around here. She has a good draw and Jamie back on board is a positive. Big chance off only 3lb higher.

Useful on the flat in France, Greyval needed the experience when 2nd on debut over hurdles here last month. The winner of that race has won again since and she is once more the obvious threat as she goes unpenalised under the race conditions. Hopeful of turning the form around just the same.

Storminhome has run well both times for us and I think he'll improve a ton on his latest run when third over slightly further around here. Will take a lot of beating.

Belle Na Bann ran a promising race first time for the stable over course and distance on New Year's Day. A repetition of that run should enable her to go very close in what looks a slightly easier assignment.

I'm pretty much forced to run Liberated Lad again, back at Southwell where he looked so impressive on Friday, and ignoring the moderate effort at Newcastle on Sunday. I knew he would be going up a lot for that wide-margin win - his jockey got rather excited I'm afraid! - and the 5lb penalty compared…

Hercules Morse made a promising start when third on career debut in a Ludlow hurdle but didn't progress in quite the way we expected next time around here. We like him, so we aren't losing faith in him yet. Each-way chance if he runs today as he works at home.

The horses are running better now and I think it's probably a good time for us to step Liberated Lad up to 1m6f. He stayed on well last time over 1m4f, not beaten far in 4th and off bottom weight in an ordinary contest, he has to go there with each-way chances.

Spirit Of Light had good form in the UAE last winter before joining us and as a result I campaigned him quite optimistically in top handicaps without much success, it must be said. His first run back here at the Carnival was very promising and now back to 7f, he looks well weighted at the…

Buxted Too ran well at Chelmsford over 1m2f two weeks ago, staying on again after getting outpaced. He stays this longer trip and should have each-way chances.

We don't have many ex-bumper six-year-od mares running for us in novice events - the races are hard enough to find anyway - but Now Then Wendy was sent to see if she could do something. Her debut 4th over a mile ten months after her last bumper outing was encouraging, but whether she will…

Leading Theatre has been going the right way over hurdles. She has a big weight again but still gets a few pounds from the favourite who has much less experience. Should go well if coping with the most testing surface she's raced on.

I'm looking forward to running Zestful Hope. He goes well round here where he's 2 for 2 and doesn't mind soft ground either. Hopeful.

Glimpse Of Gala remains in great form after her Kempton win and shoiuld enjoy the trip and ground. It's a big step up in class but with two non-runners, she only has to beat one to qualify for the final of this series at Cheltenham.

It might be dark by the time they run this race! Heros De Romay is a big, backward gelding who has taken time. This track should suit and it is all about how good the favourite is. We are really hopeful he can run well and be placed or better.

Pertemps Diamond showed promise in his junior bumper at Huntingdon. In a big field I am expecting improvement and hopefully he has a small each-way chance.

Hidden Beauty found it hard going in testing ground at Uttoxeter. Conditions should be much less demanding today and based on her good bumper form, she looks a good value each-way price. Can be placed.

Hurlerontheditch is a stunning horse. He ran a blinder at Bangor last season but that was to be his only run. This looks competitive and we would be delighted to see him finish in the first four after 15 months off the track.