Yearly Archives: 2024

I think we've struck lucky with the split here. It doesn't look the greatest of races and Loch Leven has a good draw and excellent jockey booking. The question is whether she puts it all in. if she does tonight I reckon she'll win.

Roger Pol was 2nd in an Irish point-to-point before arriving with us and proceeded to win two bumpers. He had a productive first season over hurdles, winning and finishing 2nd three times including at Ascot. All the family improve for a fence and although not the biggest, we hope Roger Pol will do so too.

Ivatt is a lovely big son of Ghaiyyath whose work at home has been pleasing. He is a baby both physically and mentally so I expect him to improve significantly on anything he does today. He looks a lovely horse for the future and I expect him to run with promise.

Regarde did okay over hurdles but it was when he turned to chasing last season that he showed his true abilities. He won two of his five starts and was placed another twice. A strapping individual, he has more to give in staying handicaps this winter.

Authorized Art was a smart performer with Willie Mullins and joins us at the advanced age of nine. He shows he is talented - probably comfortably better over fences - every morning, but he may need this Listed hurdles run to get him going again after an 81-day break.

Idy Wood had an excellent novice hurdle campaign last winter, winning twice and placed in two Grade 2 novice events. He jumps fences well at home and I'm looking forward to this chase debut in a decent novice handicap. Should go well.

Grand Duchess Olga has run well both times since a break and is now 6lb better for a neck defeat with the favourite. She is in good form so should be thereabouts.

Caher Roes Den has his first run of the season and on ground that is probably faster than ideal, but as yet not proven to be the case. The trip is up his street and he starts off on a relatively low mark considering his novice runs. Interesting.

Cresta Cat hasn't beaten a rival in two starts from here. A 2nd place at Kempton at the start of the year shows there is something in there, but he has kept it to himself since joining us.

Cartwheel has been working in tremendous style since her debut in a luckless 3rd at Beverley. Despite her awful draw, I expect her to win - turning cartwheels!

Poncho is also on the way back. His 5th in the jump jockeys' Derby at Epsom was creditable and the extra distance should help him. Can run well.

Alpha Crucis loves these conditions and although up 9lb for a six-length win here last time, it's hard to overlook him. Big chance of the follow-up.

Our other runner Platinum Prince is at the other extreme of the handicap, indeed he has to run from 6lb out of the weights. That will be tough to overcome.

Arctician has been out of form in better races in recent starts and as a result is better handicapped now. He seems in good shape so a revival is possible tonight, but he always needs things to go smoothly for him.

Vinny's Dream is better than the result of his Catterick race which was decently run on a track and on ground that didn't suit. He may lack a bit of quality for this and may also be better at 1m4f.

One For Harvey ran well first time out at Kempton but didn't handle the Brighton track last time. She has experience of Chelmsford where she breezed earlier in the year and while she has a bad draw, her local knowledge may overcome that. Should be thereabouts.

Just Ten High has gone up 3lb for his win last time at Chelmsford. I think he has another 3lb or 4lb to come after that, so he could just have enough to win again.

Fen Tiger was unlucky not to win over the CD last run. The ground will be more to his liking here and this is the right grade. Hopefully, he can get back to winning ways.

Nachtgeist earned a 92 flat rating with his previous stable and if that is correct he would have a great chance here off 100 over hurdles. He was highly tried in his two summer runs for us,at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood and this should be a fair bit easier.

On a topical note, Lurens Bay is by Youmzain who finished 2nd in three successive Arc de Triomphes. He was 2nd in a point-to-point at Ballinboola before arriving with us. Given time to mature and strengthen, he won on bumper debut in the spring and will be a smashing hurdler to look forward to over…