Monthly Archives: December 2020

We really like Not What It Seems, a horse we bought out of Gordon Elliott's stable in September for £28k. He had form in Ireland and has been going really well and is in great fettle at home. I think he has a chance of beating the favourite, but whatever happens he is one for…

It's a good job I sent King Of The South to Newcastle yesterday as I've just spent half an hour clearing the snow from the yard - it's still snowing! - to get the horses out to exercise. The horse won very well last time and hopefully can follow up. The top one looks the…

Sevarano won impressively first time out over fences at Sandown, jumping impeccably. He has continued to school impressively at home and hopefully can replicate that performance today. As a younger horse he looked as impressive an individual as he does now, but as a more mature horse he can finish off his races much better.

Huntsmans Jog did well in point-to-points for Don Cantillon last year and made a very promising start for us when runner-up over this trip at Lingfield. There should be little between our two representatives in this.

Call Me Vic is firmly in the veteran stage, rising 14, but won lots of points over the past two years always ridden by Albi Tufnell who can claim the full 7lb. He ran well until being hampered at Cheltenham on his Rules comeback and could go well today off his light weight.

Agent Valdez ran very well first time over fences over this course and distance last month, finishing an excellent third. Her big weight won't be a problem as she's 17 hh and she'll improve a good deal for that. We always thought she'd be a better chaser than hurdler and she has a great each-way…

I note there's been money for an Irish-trained horse with PP beside its name but I wouldn't swop Hydroplane with anything in the race. He's nicely handicapped and came from too far back at Cheltenbham. At Market Rasen his jockey will need to be much more on the ball, but I think he has a…

Hopefully Volkovka will build on the promise of her Leicester run. She's been a slow learner basically and is still gaining jumping experience but was quite talented on the Flat in France.

I thought last time Central City had his best chance of winning  a race for a while and he ran well for a close third. As ever the worry here will be the progressive three-year-olds, but if Richard can settle him behind the leaders then over this slightly longer trip a strong finish could get…

The Cob took his opportunity well in his novice at Uttoxeter when it presented itself and now steps into handicap class. The trip, slightly shorter than Uttoxeter, should suit and if his initial mark of 124 does not over-rate him he should be very competitiive from towards the bottom of the weights. 

Abel Tasman has got into the habit of starting slowly although from his draw in 16 right on the outside he'll have to come across behind the field anyway so it's not the end of the world. He'll be running on at the finish, hopefully getting going in time to catch the leaders in the…

Red Skye Delight has been disappointing in her two runs to date and we'll be more positive with her tonight. She has dropped to a competitive mark but whether she has the spirit to take advantage of it may be another question.

Quoteline Direct has more "2's" than "1's"  on his record but this could be the day he gets another win. He ran well last time, just edged out in an identically-framed race, and can get his head in front tonight in  what should be a truly-run race.

Fulbeck Girl has been improving with her racing and ran her best race yet when runner-up over slightly shorter at Chelmsford last time. This should be a good chance to get her head in front.

I didn't think Storm Melody would enjoy the heavy ground at Windsor last time. He didn't and we've given him a wind-op since. We've brought him back to all-weather which he does enjoy and hopefully he'll soon resume winning ways once he gets his confidence back.

The owner sent Serious Ego to us from Gordon Elliott obviously in the belief it might be easier to win a race over here. In all his record is one from 19 but he ran okay first time for us at Haydock so maybe he can make it two from 20? It's not a great…