Yearly Archives: 2023

Volkovka has been running solidly since going over fences, without suggesting she is likely to win one any time soon and she is held by three of these from last time. She will eventually find her place.

This is a really competitive little race and it could be when I see the ground I might take out Norley. It probably needs to be better than the forecast soft for him to take his chance, but if he does, he has to be in contention.

Espoir De Romay ran well for a long way at Exeter in a race that has worked out. Cheek-pieces first time could make a big difference and we would be delighted to see him placed or better.

This is a first venture into a veterans' race for Two For Gold. He carries top weight and after a poor run at Cheltenham we are no more than hopeful. Admittedly he is well in on last season's form, but he could still be suffering from a very hard race last season.

This former Irish point winner would have won at Chepstow bar falling at the last when comfortably in front. A repeat of that form - but not the fall! - should see El Rio go very close.

Rocambolas goes very well on the gallops but then I understand he did the same when with Olly/Josh. We've put a hood on him and will drop him out stone last. We'll see what he wants to do from there!

I hope they haven't had any more rain at Wetherby because it can get very soft down the back straight there. I think he'll handle a bit of soft though. He didn't run badly at Ayr but Seanie suggested we put something on him to help him and we're trying cheek-pieces. Hopeful.

Pougne Aminta was a wide-margin winner of an Irish point-to-point last May and made a promising debut over hurdles when 2nd at Southwell last month. She will not mind the slightly longer trip and the ground should be fine too. Big chance.

We've given Houston Texas time to recover from his run in the Eider where he looked a threat for the first three-and-a half miles but was out on his feet in the straight. Ron Barry was a great stable jockey for my father and I remember him telling me that very few racehorses truly stay…

After tackling Crambo and company in the EBF Final at Sandown, Gaelic Park gets a big drop in grade. The Mark Walford horse is the obvious threat but with Bradley back after injury and taking off 7lb we should give it a good shot.

Ghasham was useful on the flat in Ireland and while yet to match that level over jumps he has shown enough to suggest a weak handicap like this could be within reach. Hoping he can run a big race with first-time tongue-tie to help him.

Howzat Hiris has shown little bits of ability throughout her career and her 2nd 3rd place finish last time represents her best form. The boy, like his mount, is also yet to win a race but can therefore claim the full 10lb in this conditionals' race including the extra 3lb riding for his own stable,…

Police Academy runs in a mares' handicap chase over 2m 4f. Police Academy won a point-to-point before joining us and after three consistent efforts over hurdles we decided to send her chasing. Her first outing over NH fences was at Fontwell, which can be tricky, but she jumped impeccably and looked the likely winner three…

President Scottie showed signs of inexperience on debut at Ayr, but made some headway in the closing stages. He will know more about it today and hopefully will handle the heavy ground.

Havanella ran a much better race when 4th last time out at Lingfield, when she travelled nicely through the race and her jumping was good. More importantly, she came back from that run full of confidence and her whole demeanour has been different since that race. She should enjoy this track as she’s a thorough…

Mr Trick had been in a serious slump but last time, ridden by an inexperienced amateur at Chelmsford, there were signs of a potential revival. Despite a slow start he didn't finish too far behind although only beating one and is another 4lb lower here. Interesting.

Foster'sisland never runs a bad race and while a non-winner so far this season, he remains in form and was a good 2nd at Ayr last time. This is a race that should be well within his reach and hopefully today could be the day.