Blog

Cornerstone Lad is in great form after his two recent wins. Obviously it's a massive step up in class today but all we are looking for is for him to maintain the progress. Realistically he only has to doddle round to pick up a nice prize. Who knows, he may get more than we and…

Takingrisks has just started to come to hand after the exertions of last season when he won the Scottish National. He might not be at his best on this ground but I'm running him to get him fully fit. He's well and I wouldn't be surprised if he ran a big race.

The Retriever has been running well without setting the world alight. He handles cut on the turf so we are trying this surface. He didn’t quite let himself down on the Tapeta at Newcastle last time, but if he takes to Southwell he has to be in the shake-up, so small each-way may be the…

Sevarano won nicely on his reappearance at Chepstow, confirming the promise he showed early last season. Sevarano is a very tall horse and a naturally lean type but he is definitely stronger this winter. His penalty will not be easy in this very strong race, but we are hopeful he will be up to the…

Republican hung violently to the right in his last race at Huntingdon having travelled extremely well early on. We have checked his back and teeth; he’s seen a chiropractor and has had massages, but nothing major has come to light. He has ability and has continued to school and work nicely since. He can be…

This horse is as good a work horse as we have at home. He has had a wind operation and a back operation since his last run. On form he should be placed.

Dan Gun won nicely last time out at Huntingdon. He  does want better ground but we are optimistic that he may get away with it today. Obvious each-way chances but he could win again.

We were delighted with Stick With Bill's first try over hurdles at Chepstow. He looks the one to beat in this four-horse field.

Huddle is better than her mark and that why we're persevering with her. She has the ability to win a 0-60 and even though she's posted a bit wide, she has a small each-way chance today.

Frankie Baby goes nicely at home and should be pretty straight for this today. We are looking for a sold performance on debut.

Headscarf Lil ran a very good race on debut at Kelso in May and will hopefully go well again today. The ground will be totally different but as  a daughter of Getaway she shouldn't mind it. Good chance.

Frankly this horse has shown virtually nothing over hurdles, but as he jumps so well at home we have decided to give him one more try to see if fences produce a miracle. I really hope so as if it works he could be very well handicapped.

Speedy Cargo put up an encouraging first run for the yard last time over further than today's trip. He has come on for that and with first-time cheek-pieces to help him concentrate, we expect him to go close.

This is a lovely horse whose mother I trained. He is a very big horse and this ground could well find him out strength-wise, so probably no more than place chances.

Ventura Dragon was a decent soft-ground horse on the Flat before joining me but he’s been pretty disappointing so far over hurdles. He's a sweet horse but he probably saves a bit for himself on a racecourse after his busy Flat career.

Ribble Valley is a nice horse and he's done nothing wrong so far. This is a very good race for the North but we will find out where he stands and it will also give him some valuable experience. Should go close at the very least.

Karl Philippe is a big gangly type who might not be the ideal horse to run around Hereford. He does go very well on the gallops but might just lack the necessary experience to win first time. Should be thereabouts though.

Another Emotion needed his chasing and seasonal debut run at Chepstow. He had form in points before joining us and isn't on a bad mark based on his best hurdles performances. Bright chance.

Roxyfet loves the track and ground but has been slow coming to hand this time. Could have an each- way chance at a working man's price today.

You can ignore Bob Mahler's last two pulled up runs, either side of his summer break. He's in much better shape now and will love the ground and the trip. Good each-way claims.