Monthly Archives: February 2024

Springtime Promise has the winning habit but it's a big jump from a Sedgefield novice hurdle to a Grade 2 around Sandown in heavy ground. We're just hoping she can prove the odds wrong and get some valuable black type by finishing in the first three.

Polisud won three races in France but has shown very litttle since joining us. He's had a wind-op since his last run. I know often it's 2nd time when the surgery is most effective, but off his reduced mark and how he works at home, I'd put him up as our best chance of the…

President Scottie is a solid horse who has been improving with his racing and should go very well with a bit more improvement today. This isn't a bad race for a maiden hurdle in February with three obvious ones and there might be one or two more lurking as well. Hopeful,

Tribal Wisdom won with authority last time at Lingfield. The 7lb rise for a two-length success looks severe enough, but he has been in great form lately and hopefully can go very close once more.

Callin Baton Rouge ran well 4th at Fontwell but then a bad mistake ended his chance at Sedgefield. The handicapper has dropped him 3lb for that and if he can avoid mistakes this time, he would look nicely treated. Each-way chances.

While still a maiden, Rioja Alta had a 72 mark on the flat in Ireland. He makes his debut for us today and from what we've seen he can win both on the flat and over jumps. His schooling has been good and we reckon he's an each-way shot here.

Tonal has been improving with his races for us since coming over from France. He stayed on well for 3rd at Chelmsford before being a closer, but rather unlucky 4th last time here. The extra fuirlong should help as could the draw in trap one as long as Billy doesn't get stuck behind the pack.

Frost At Dawn has been placed in two of her three starts at Meydan this winter, picking up around 20k in prizemoney. She drops to 6f today, but is in great shape and I think that while it's a strong race, she can run well and add to her earnings.

Parramout returned after a long absence to do very well over hurdles last winter. We thought starting him off in a flat race after the summer break might be a good way back. It will be interesting to see where he finishes today.

Thunderclap has had a couple of runs this winter and we've decided on going up in trip today. He handles heavy ground well and if he stays, he should have a chance of getting in the money.

Dunskay is a very nice horse as his first-time win at Exeter showed. He was badly wrong at Ascot last time but hopefully, he can right those wrongs here today and win for the second time.

Although Handstands has won two out of two, he's still very unexposed. He has been pleasing me, going very well at home and can give Jango Baie a good battle.

Duo D'Enfer won over 2m4f here two runs back but stretching up to further last time didn't work for him. We're dropping back to the minimum here and he has been working well since the last run. Only six runners and a decent chance of getting in the frame in this tight handicap chase.

This NH Novice Qualifier is the first run for us for Moon D'Orange. The Nicholls horse won't be easily beaten but our boy is a gorgeous individual and we're hopeful he can win and aim at the Sandown Final of this series next month.

Diva Luna was 2nd in her sole Irish point in late October. She shapes well at home but in this Listed mares' bumper, she meets opponents with good racecourse form. A run in the money would be a good omen for her future.

Coniston George did it nicely first time over hurdles but then got stuck in the mud at Wetherby. I decided to wait for better ground and it's been quite a wait but this soft, good to soft should be fine. I expect him to run a nice race.

Kitaab remains a maiden after a dozen runs. He didn't go too badly last time and, another at the foot of the weights, he would have a small each-way shout.

Beauzon is on a four-timer after three wins all over 6f here. Such has been the economy of his winning margins that he is only 13lb higher than when the run started at the beginning of the year. Drawn nicely so the quad is on!

Harper's Brook is in good order and comes here after a very good 2nd at Ascot six weeks ago. Must have every chance of going one better.

Carrigeen Castle came to us highly recommended from Jim Dreaper in Ireland and it didn't take him long to live up to his optimism. He won impressively at Newcastle and can defy the 5lb rise in his mark which Alice's claim negates. Big chance.