Monthly Archives: February 2020

Robyndzone has been knocking on the door in all of his races. He ran well on chase debut and should give another good account today. Obvious each-way claims but he has the ability to win if he wanted to put it all in.

Like Excalibur, Ex S'Elance is an in-and-out performer, more out than in! Last time he bled from the right nostril, but he hadn't done that before. Again a small place chance but now he comes with a health warning!.

Overworkdunderpaid has been very disappointing, so today he gets a big drop in grade, reverting to hurdles for the first time in almost two years. He's never won, so needs to pull his finger out!

Quantum of Solace slightly surprised us when winning first time back the other day and remains in great form. The ground was softer than ideal when she was second in this race 12 months ago but under more suitable conditions she looks a good bet today.

Makety has had a frustrating winter waiting for decent ground. She was fourth at Stratford on her one previous run this term, but she hated the tacky ground that day. Makety has talent - she was fourth in a decent novice hurdle at Newbury last season. I'm hopeful there's plenty of improvement to come and…

Velvet Morn found six furlongs too sharp last time. As long as she gets away on terms, back up to seven and in a 0-60 she'd have a solid each-way chance.

This is Paddling's favourite track. I'm not sure if the step up in trip will suit although his owner thinks it will. He's in good form and if he stays he should go very close.

Schiehallion Munro is a course and distance winner and I think he has an outstanding chance today. He jumps and stays well and is in great form at home.

Russian Royale has a strong each-way chance with the highly-capable Aidan back on and taking the 10lb off. The favourite will be hard to beat but we go into the race in super form and on the back of a much-improved performance last time.

Carlow Farmer has been off for a couple of years since winning his sole Irish point and whatever happens today he'll improve a ton for the race. It's probably short of his potentially-ideal trip too, so it will be a learning curve for us.

Hitherto to win a chase going left-handed, Loose Chips ran well going that way round at Warwick last time finishing third. Remaining on his lowest mark, he may get home in front this time. It would be great to see him winning as a 14-year-old.

Mayo Star is a nice horse but he hasn't run for two years, when he was with the late Malcolm Jefferson. He's done plenty of work but will definitely come on for the run and probably has the Gordon Elliott horse to beat.

Glinger Flame improved a lot over hurdles last summer and I was delighted with his first run over fences, learning as he went along and finishing off his race well. I think he'll win plenty of chases, hopefully starting today.

Tanqeed has been disappointing since joining us but his rating has eased accordingly. Maybe Adam Kirby can encourage a better performance.

I think Imperial Knight will run well. He's back over hurdles after an unfortunate chase debut last time and three miles could be right up his street. It will depend on whether he copes with the heavy ground.

We were delighted with High Noon the other day at Musselburgh and how well he stayed on up the straight. Emma gets on with him very well and her 7lb allowance will again be a big factor in his chances.

I was pleased with Kajaki's run at Doncaster but rather surprised that finishing second to a thrown-in winner deserved a 6lb rise. If the market moves for him, Tony Martin's horse will certainly take the beating, but Kajaki ought to be competitive.

Blue Hussar has a really good chance. He gets a drop in grade today and since his last race when he ran better than the final placings suggest, he's gone well in a racecourse gallop at Wetherby with Cornerstone Lad. I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't go close.

This Irish points winner has run respectably in two bumpers. He gives the impression he probably wouldn't win a bumper so we are starting his hurdling career on the owner's local track. Two miles is likely to be on the short side but this is not the best of races so place chances.

It was Balgemmois' first run back for a long time the other day at Hereford on what was almost unraceable ground - they abandoned after his race! He will have come on for it as long as we're not going too soon with him and we're stepping him up in trip as he settled so…