Yearly Archives: 2023

Bangers And Cash was not quite right for whatever reason at Uttoxeter but he seems fine again now and I'm expecting him to run more like his winning performance in the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen. The one to beat.

The trip and ground are both ideal for Bolsover Bill, who jumps well and is very consistent. He shouldn't be too far away.

Mister Bells would probably prefer better ground. He carries a big weight and a couple lower down look more compelling.

Universal Folly ran well over fences at Doncaster but then this winter has been awkward and we've missed plenty of races with ground and weather. I switched him back to hurdles last time at Wetherby and he went very well. Hopefully he can go one better now and we can go back chasing after the…

Mucho Mas has been going the right way in his embryo chase career and deserved his last win at Lingfield in heavy ground. As long as his jumping holds up  and he gets into a nice position on the way round this tricky chase course, he should be fine. I see there's been plenty of…

Apart from his lapse in the Challow, Crambo has an otherwise perfect record.For a while at Bangor he didn't look the obvious winner, but he was well on top at the finish and is equipped for the uphill run home after an attritional race. Hopeful.

Not wishing to be rude about him but Sound And Fury is as slow as a boat. That said he did win his 2nd Irish point, staying on well in soft ground. We wanted those conditions here and we have them so this is his chance to show that on the track he is quicker…

Rock Chant almost got the job done last time at Southwell, improving on previous form since joining us from Joseph O'Brien. Hopefully he is now in an upward curve in which case he could be hard to beat here.

Famous Bridge hasn't yet gone close to matching his good hurdles form in his two chases so far. He was disappointing at Ayr but hit the last down the back very hard and that stopped him. He's not in bad form at home and the chase career could get going from here.

I was suprised to see Densworth is being preferred in the market by a horse rated 4lb lower. When he ran over this trip (well 2m1f) at Newcastle, he won easily and I'm hopeful he can repeat the deal today.

Young Buster was bought for 60k out of the Irish pinting field after a good win on his final start there. He made a satisfactory start at Aintree over hurdles and has since had a wind-op. Hoping that will be the signal for him to show on the track what he does at home. Hopeful.

Galahad Threepwood has been knocking on the door and was still in contention when a late faller last time. He's yet to win a race in eight tries, but this could be his chance.

Bill Baxter looked to have the race in the bag at Hereford last time before falling. It has taken him a little time to come back to himself but he is in good form now and should run another solid race on a track where he has won previously.

Storm Melody likes Lingfield and although now a 10yo, he always runs his race, especially over 5f. He doesn't have a great draw but Rab Havlin will have him alert at the gate and he is sure to be somewhere close at the finish.

Secret Squirrel is a nice little horse and the worry with him is whether he'll get the trip jumping as he works like a miler at home. That said, if he does stay, then that speed will be very valuable. The opposition has shown bits of talent so we'll get an idea of where we…

Dream Harder (7/2) made it four wins this winter AW season with a nice success for Ian Williams in the amateur riders' race at Wolverhampton last night. The nap Howzat Hiris wasn't disgraced, running on for 3rd at 12/1 for Micky Hammond at Ayr, following a similar placing for the genuine Foster'sisland at 6/1. Tiny…

Mole Court is going the right way and stayed on very well to be 2nd last time at Warwick. He's up 3lb for that but this isn't the greatest race and I'm hopeful he can get the job done.

A Definite Getaway ran well when 4th at Huntingdon on Boxing Day but less encouragingly at Southwell, He has questions to answer.

Ballyhome, although a veteran, ran well last time and I'm sure he will find his opportunity soon. It might not be today but we think he can build on that Leicester run.

We expected a good showing from Ici La Reine when she made her debut here seven weeks ago and she didn't disappoint, drawing away to win easily. We hope she can defy the penalty and that she might end up on a par to her close relative La Bague Au Roi.