Yearly Archives: 2023

Ornate remains in the best of  health at home. He has a good draw and the track will suit him. As ever he's an outsider in the betting but I'm confident of a good result.

Donald Llewellyn's owner-breeder Chris Stedman has been incredibly patient with him, even waiting almost exactly two years for him to run again since early in his 4yo days. He returns in a race that ought to be within his range judged on what he shows at home, but the long time off is a negative.

Pablo Del Pueblo returns from a break and seems in good form. He can be excitable and is not the most reliable but has loads of speed and is well drawn here so no surprise to see him make a bold bid from the front.

It's a tight competitive handicap but after wins in his last two, Justcallmepete should have a leading chance. He was quite impressive over course and distance two weeks ago.

Up For Patrol has a nice jumps pedigree and won an Irish point-to-point before arriving with us upon which he won a couple of novice hurdles. Last season he won a decent handicap hurdle off 127 and was unlucky in last year's Lanzarote at Kempton, beaten eight lengths in sixth staying on late off a…

Although Haddex Des Obeaux is a novice in all regards, he looked like a hardened professional the way he jumped round the testing Doncaster chase track two weeks ago. Up 6lb for that good win we have to be hopeful he can dominate these rivals just as he did those on Town Moor.

Recuerdame had a busy winter and has generally run well on all starts. He was a winner here a few runs back and always finds his races, just needs a good gallop. The wide draw makes little difference to him with his run style and he is likely to be staying on strongly so cannot…

Mintana has yet to get off the mark but shows good speed at home. The 5f trip should suit her well and she has every chance of gaining those winning brackets in a tight four-horse affair.

We've been delighted with the progress of Perseus Way, a winner of a juvenile hurdle at Leicester between places in two Grade 2 contests. His close 3rd in the Finale Hurdle at Chestow behind Irish-trained Comfort Zone reads very well in this company.

Symphorine was placed 2nd in her first start in  a bumper at Fontwell in May but she predictably found Queens Gamble much too tough in a Listed mares' bumper at Cheltenham in November. This hurdles debut also looks demanding with the favourite appearing in a different league but we hope she can show some promise…

Artician was a shade disappointing here last time over slightly shorter but he did not get the best run round from a wide draw. He has plenty of ability and has slipped down the handicap so he cannot be dismissed. It would be no surprise to see him staying on well.

Hardy Du Seuil was 2nd in two 3yo bumpers in France before bolting up over hurdles at Fontainebleau. We sent him novice chasing last season to utilise his wfa advantage and he won twice and was 2nd in a Grade 2. As his jumping of fences wasn't always assured, though, we thought he would appreciate…

Striking Out won a hurdle last season and returns for his chase debut after a seven-month break. He is working well and is in good nick so needs to make a start. I can't see anything beating the Venetia Williams horse, though, who gets in on 114 yet has beaten horses rated far higher in…

After a promising first run when 2nd in one of these NH Juvenile contests at Kempton, Spirit D'Aunou was not troubled to land the odds in a three-runner edition of the same series at Huntingdon. The penalty doesn't make it easy but he appears to have the best form and any newcomer will need to…

Thor De Cerisy had been running in France but did well first go back over here and has won a hurdle on this track earlier in his career too. He loves heavy ground and the worse the going, the better for him. This looks a race he ought to be competitive in, but he wouldn't…

Endofastorm ran better last time and has good form on this track. Hopeful she can show her best in which case she could run into the money.

Endofastorm ran better last time and has good form on this track. Hopeful she can show her best in which case she could run into the money.

Bungle Bay went close under today's rider over CD two weeks ago. This is a deep race and although he is at the bottom of the handicap his task is made more difficult by his draw in 10. Each-way chance.

Hansard joined from Charles O'Brien for whom he won a bumper. He was very impressive first time out at Huntingdon in a strong novice hurdle for the track. The Twiston-Davies horse looks decent but he will need to be.