Yearly Archives: 2023

I suppose I could understand the money that came for The Macon Lugnatic last time as his best form hitherto had been at Doncaster. After being up there early, he drifted back but then ran on late. The extra distance today might help but he has become a frustrating horse, so it's hard to be…

Ailes D'Amour is dropping down the handicap as he goes up in distance. He looked a promising type as a young bumper horse but his career has been interrupted by injury and he is really only now getting into a consistent training routine. May enjoy the longer trip so an each-way hope here.

We were delighted by the manner of Trac's win at Catterick last time and even though he's up 9lb for that we have to be hopeful he can  make it three wins in four. Big chance as long as the ground is suitable.

Scrum Diddly has his third run after which he will be handicapped and there should be easier opportunities. He's yet to show on the track what we see from him at home but even in this four-horse race he's likely to find the two favourites very hard to beat.

On Springs was expected to improve on his previous runs this season when coming here last time, but we were no wiser as he was an early unseated rider. He seems in good shape after the mishap and hopefully will do what we anticipated before and go close this time.

Buxted Too has compiled a quick hat-trick including over this CD with today's rider. Up only a combined 8lb, he looks good for the four-timer.

We'll be sending Knocknamona there today but I suspect with the windy conditions, the ground may have dried out too much for him. If he runs, he ought to have a good each-way chance after his latest win and with his low weight.

Politacus is the most experienced in this mares' bumper but her 2nd place at Uttoxeter does not read as well as some of the others' winning performances. Hoping for a place.

Flann loves Leicester, winning easily on his first visit and then running a well-handicapped winner to just over a length conceding him 28lb. Raised 3lb for that, this looks another excellent opportunity.

I chose this race over the following London Mile qualifier at a furlong more as I thought this looked the easier opportunity. I'm not so sure now as I don't really like taking on lightly-raced 3yo's in handicaps at this time of the season. Lordsbridge Girl has done well to win her last two and…

Palace Boy will love the ground and was running a huge race at Newbury before conditions found him oujt. Big price today and might be worth a small each-way.

Guetapan Collonges ran a blinder when 4th in the Classic Chase at Warwick last time. He had been on a steady upward curve before that and looks nicely in another high-class handicap with the champion riding. Good chance.

After generally under-achieving considering his ability for the past two years, Buxted Too has now won three of his last five and the penny has really dropped since the turn of the year. He won nicely at Newcastle and Kempton and still looks fairly treated, so the hat-trick bid is definitely on.

I was surprised by the level of support for Rock Chant here last time and I have to say he found disappointingly little after being up there for much of the race. We're going up another 3f with him and hope he might improve for that.

Crambo won his two bumpers and on debut over hurdles at Ascot on his return to action this winter, but pulled up in the Challow Hurdle behind Hermes Allen. He was only a 7/1 shot in that Grade 1 and now, after a wind-op which seems to have made a positive difference, he is a…

The Wise Traveller has done nothing wrong this season, winning and then 2nd twice all under Bradley. I think he will run his race again and he remains very fairly handicapped.

I like Wick Green a lot. He jumps very well and I think he can run a big race on stable debut.

Marble Sands has returned in great form this season and although well held in the Challow at Newbury, he should enjoy dropping back in trip here. He is a bit wrong in the weights but could still run a big race.

Design Icon hasn't shown us too much since returning from injury but today's track, trip and ground should suit. He has place chances.