Blog

Dontdelay is having only his second run over fences. He likes the track, where he won both his hurdles outings, and this testing ground. Off this low weight he should have a decent each-way chance

Troubled Soul is in good form. This looks the ideal race for her and hopefully she can take advantage of the opportunity.

Courtandbould is a nice horse who goes well. He joined us after finishing second in two well-contested British point-to-points and we hope he can finish in the money.

Estrela Star has been off for a while with the issues that troubled the yard in the summer. He ran a decent race first time in a  handicap when he last appeared and I'd like to think he'll run a good race today.

Curtiz found it happening all too quickly for him first time out and he will need to be much more clued up to cope with these.

She has been very consistent and the form of her races has worked out well. Must be in line to win one, but going up 2lb for the last run was hardly helpful.

Lady In Hiding ran a blinder here against the boys on seasonal debut and only the second race of her career on ground similar to today's. She is half-sister to a good mare I trained called Hitherjaques Lady who also relished testing conditions. I’m hoping she can prove to be as talented as her sibling.

This lovely son of Jeremy won well on his first and only start at Stratford. This is a big step up but he deserves to take his chance. He is unknown on the ground, but could be placed - or even better!

Kipps is an interesting horse by War Command who starts in what looks a hot race. He's a bit lazy so that will be a disadvantage first time out but we think he'll be a very nice horse for next year.

Petite Power bounced out of Cheltenham in great fettle and has a very good chance again today. This is an ideal trip and the ground is perfect for him. A good 7lb claiming amateur is another positive.

We think Urban Artist is a decent bumper filly and she did it well at Ludlow the other day. I'd have expected her to finish in the first three if the ground hadn't been heavy but that becomes an unknown. She deserves to be in the line-up.

Big Bad Bear is a lovely horse who ran well on his comeback. He may need two and a half miles ideally but it was worth dropping him back to two to go for a £20,000 race. I hope he doesn't finish far away

Shifting Gold is in good form and I'm hopeful that she'll get the mile and a half. The worry is she's not got a good draw and we'll probably have to ride a race on her. An each-way bet is probably the wise advice given those circumstances.

Elleon wasn’t beaten far in his first bumper at the end of last season. He has strengthened up well since then and my only concern is that the ground is not ideal for him. Whatever he does today will be a bonus before moving on to hurdling.

Cornerstone Lad was back to form last time out on the Flat but he has top-weight to shoulder today. This ground suits and his capable 5lb claiming rider will help. He needs to improve again but he does have the size and scope to do so.

The Dubai Way won at Plumpton last time on his first run for us, I don’t really know him yet and this ground might just find him out. If he handles it he might have a chance.

It may not turn out to be the ideal ground for Thegallantway, but he is in cracking form and we are hopeful he can run into a place.

It's unlikely that Grageelagh Girl will enjoy the ground but she will run to give her jockey much-needed experience. We expect her to come back in a better place next summer.

Mandalayan was promising on the level, winning once last year for Johnny Portman. Since joining me he has schooled very well and we are hopeful of a progressive run.