Yearly Archives: 2023

Bonttay carries a big weight but she was a very smart bumper performer and on that, her hurdles mark of 118 doesn't look extravagant. She's in great form at home and we think there's more improvement to come from her.

Houston Texas won this race last year on his reappearance and also won at Hexham so it was a satisfactory season. He will appreciate any rain that falls and is in good shape for this return.

Mr Grey Sky has not had a great deal of experience over fences. A good hurdler on his day and loves soft ground. Place chances

We have been waiting for fences for a while for Trelawne. This big, homebred horse is ready to go. The softer the ground the better and he must have a great chance.

I think Checkandchallenge has a really good chance. He loves this ground and I'm certain he gets the 1m2f - look at his close 4th in the Group 2 Skybet at York. Confident of a big run.

Glinger Flame is 11, so a youngster compared to Caius Marcius but he too has come back to form, winning well at Kelso last time. He's in good form at home and hopefully will stay the three miles. It's hard to choose between the pair.

This is a tough contest but The Edgar Wallace must have a great chance on his best form. He usually runs well after a break and he's had a wind-op since he last appeared so that is a potential plus.

Pilot Show revelled in soft conditions when he won at Catterick last season. He is fresh and well at home and capable of a good performance.  

Surrey Belle was running okay on softish ground but last time at Chepstow she found their version of heavy beyond her. She has had only two runs on AW, both at Kempton and her performance on debut was sufficient evidence to suggest she'll handle Tapeta. Each-way chance.

Sugarloaf Lenny steps up to a mile for his first run in a handicap. He's posted a bit wider than ideal but we'll ride him positively as he'll be a 10f or even 12f horse next year. Today I'll be disappointed if he isn't in the first three.

Lassue was a UK point winner before joining us and after a 4th in a bumper, she was 2nd then an easy winner in her first two hurdle races. She's been off since February but looks a mare with plenty of potential. Hopeful.

We really like The Kemble Brewery but he is up against it today. For starters. Willie Mullins does not bring one over from Ireland just for a day out. I hope for a first four placing and better would be brilliant.

Twig has been highly consistent, winning seven of his 11 races under Rules and he is equally adept at hurdles and chases. He is in ridiculously good form and I think he should be favourite. Hopeful.

Coniston George did pretty well in his bumpers, 2nd on debut at Haydock before winning nicely at Ayr. It went all wrong on his last run on today's track and I think you can put a line through that. His jumping has been very good going into today's hurdles debut and I'm looking forward to…

Wick Green, like Mole Court, also has enjoyed a good summer. He's fresh and well after a break and no other rider in the race will know his mount better than Peter Mason, who can take off 5lb. If they got into the frame we'd be delighted.

We run two in this amateurs' handicap chase. Mole Court obviously goes there in great form having won three in a row through the summer. Jack Andrews is always a positive booking in these races and we hope Mole Court can continue to improve, in which case he would be a big contender.

We run two in this wide-open curtain-raiser. Castel Gandolfo has been running through the summer, usually in decent handicap hurdles, and Jack knows him well. He gets 3lb for riding for his own stable and Castel Gandolfo usually finds a finishing burst, often not quite enough to win. Place chances as he's fit and might…

We're running back Red Hat Eagle quickly enough after his win at Kempton, but he's well drawn in four and has gone up only 2lb for that. He seems fine at home and it's another 0-65. Hopeful.

We picked up French 1m6f flat winner Recoup from the Juddmonte draft at the July Sales. He has shown us plenty at home and is a very nice horse that could win first time over hurdles.