Monthly Archives: December 2024

Swatch joined us this autumn from Alice Haynes. His first run was better than his latest and top-weight might be tough, even though he has been allowed 3lb for the last run. We're still finding out about him.

Cloud Dancer won a juvenile hurdle in February 2023 but never looked remotely near that form last year. Well beaten on this season's comeback, he will need tomake extravagant improvement to win this.

Asgard's Captain made a highly promising return after his break and will; be fitter now. He won twice in succession the last times he saw Newcastle and can repeat the dose today.

Our Papa Smurf won at Goodwood off a lowish mark in the summer. His first two efforts over hurdles have been moderate but when he can be eligible for a mark he can be more effective in handicaps.

Hollygrove Cha Cha won a bumper last year on debut at Stratford and followed up successfully at Hexham. She won on hurdling debut at Ludlow last month and carries a penalty today, but she is unbeaten and we hope she stays that way.

Hudson De Grugy did well in the 2022-23 season but was restricted to only four runs last term and was slightly disappointing overall. He pulled up on last month's reappearance and even though dropped 4lb for that it's hard to be too optimistic about his chance here.

Patrol has run two good races sine joining from William Haggas, staying on well into a place each time. Hopefuly, this should be third time lucky.

Another double chance. Pyrotechnic looked dangerous for a while on his latest start at Huntingdon but didn't seem to go through with the effort. The first-time hood might solve that problem.

Believe The Storm has had a few setbacks, hence he is only making his racecourse debut this week. His work has been nice and he clearly has some ability. This is very much a first day at school so we will be expecting improvement as he gains experience.

St Irene ran well at Cheltenham considering it was only her 2nd start. She's a smart mare and the ground should be fine as long as it's not bottomless. She has come out of Cheltenham in great order.

Laurens Bay won on bumper debut in the spring and has looked very useful in his runs in novice hurdles this autumn,. Twice 2nd in races that have worked out well, he has still appeared quite green and raw. This looks a good opportunity for him to get his head in front.

We run two in this. Super Survivor had a great novice hurdling season, winning two of his three starts. He improved again for going up in trip and jumping a fence, winning one of three chases in his novice season. His lack of experience counted against him in the Welsh Grand National last December after…

Up For Parol won a couple of novice hurdles and a decent handicap at Haydock. He also has been placed twice in high-class £100k handicap hurdles. His form has been largely consistent, yet his high rating has contributed to his not winning a race for three years. He could do with some help from the…

Passing Well was shaping like a progressive novice chaser early last season but picked up a niggling injury, which cut short his season. There is plenty of scope off his mark and from here he can develop into a smart staying handicap chaser. His 2nd here over 2m4f on seasonal reappearance was creditable and going…

Two runners in this juvenile hurdle and both have identical flat ratings at 80. Galactic Charm stays very well and ought to be just the type for hurdling as his home schools suggest, but this is his debut.

Niminy Piminy goes okay. She has a nice pedigree and in what isn't a great race, I think she can run into the money on debut.

Double Click returns after his summer break. Last season he won and was then 2nd in successive runs at Chepstow, the victory coming in heavy ground under today's partner Will Featherstone. He's ready to go and is not without a chance.

Hardy Du Seuil had a good novice chase season as a young horse but in 2022-23 we sent him back hurdling and he won a valuable handicap at Sandown. Last winter was a washout for him, but after having kissing spine surgery in the summer when we also sorted out ulcer issues, he should bounce…