Monthly Archives: December 2024

Bonne Vitesse had a run on the flat recently and she will enjoy the ground and the track today. Small each-way chance.

Young Getaway is a grand young horse and I think he's going to have a lovely career. He made a good start to hurdling when 3rd at Ayr and I expect him to be in the mix today.

Theyseekhimthere has taken time to get his jumping together at home. but is much better now. Today is all about his getting a nice experience and we will see what happens after that.

Nells Son picked up a big prize at Carlisle the other day but it helped when the Nicholls-trained 4/11 shot fell early on leaving us two to beat and he did what he had to do. The handicapper wasn't over-harsh putting him up 6lb. He's a solid horse and the rain that they have been…

Night Duty won a point-to-point. He has been well beaten in both staying novice hurdle runs this autumn but we feel there is more to come, although his initial mark looks tough enough on what he's shown so far.

It was just typical of Just Typical that he followed a solid first career win on this course last month with a sub-standard effort ten days later. He started slowly and that seems to have more effect on this straight and testing track than on many others. A good exit is paramount.

Handstands won three in a row in novice hurdles last winter before finding Ballyburn and co too hot to handle at Cheltenham. He was running a nice race on seasonal and chase debut when coming down three from home at Wincanton, but has schooled well at home since then. Classy and I'm very hopeful he…

Realta Liath won a point and finished 2nd in a Newton Abbot bumper in May. A daughter of St Leger winner Kingston Hill, she should enjoy the extended distance on her hurdling debut.

Point winner It's Hard To Know made a successful start to hurdling at Lingfield despite jumping right at many of the hurdles. Going this way round could be a help and he should make a bold attempt to defy the penalty.

Three nondescript runs in novice hurdles have earned Catch Catchfire a mark and we're straight over fences with it. He's been either a 100/1 or 200/1 shot so far. I doubt he'll be that and we're hoping for him to show some promise for the future.

Miss Applejack has been a great disappointment since winning a bumper 18 months ago. As I've said before, she works at home like a dream and runs like a drain. We're trying the cheekpieces today and hopefully, they will make a difference as she has so much ability.

Golan Loop won his point-to-point nicely. He does everything right at home and while it's a first day at school for him, I think he can run okay.

It's a while since Sophosc showed his best but his last two races were over considerably shorter than ideal, the 100/1 odds accurately reflecting his chance. He was rated in the high 70s in the spring of last year and now this CD winner can run off 56. Hopeful.

Barra Blue has an opportunity to end a disappointing sequence in a modest contest. It's hard to be over-optimistic though after her latest runs.

Jumper Madrik switches to fences and needs to improve on what he showed over hurdles. He is a big chasing type and starts from a low mark on debut, but needs to pull his finger out.

Roi De Baviere had plenty of experience of heavy ground when racing on the flat in France, running two good placed races on it. He shaped okay on debut at Newcastle and this looks a decent opportunity.