Yearly Archives: 2020

Eagle Creek should go very close tonight. Down in class, well drawn and with Oisin in the saddle, he should be hard to beat.

Grandeur D’Ame is a full-brother to Dominateur, a multiple winner for us, and like him is owned by Kate and Andrew Brooks. He is less laid back than his brother and may not yet be strong enough to cope with soft ground. He is a long way from the finished article, but I hope he…

Acquisitor is coming along quite nicely and runs in his first handicap tonight. This is pretty competitive but they will hopefully thin out through the winter and he'll have more obvious opportunities. That said, we're hopeful of a good run here.

Big Difference can run okay today. He will need to jump better than in recent outings but he's given us confidence in schooling sessions. Each-way chances if he jumps.

Mustarrid has not been in the best of fettle for much of the year but has perked up a little lately in time to try to repeat last year's success in this race. The ground will be ideal  and he is 2lb lower now so must go close.

This mare loves fast ground and won round here as a novice. She was running a big race last time when making a bad mistake three from home. She is probably the dark horse of the race and if things go her way she could easily be placed.

Point winner Tide Times shaped nicely when second on his hurdles debut a year ago at Stratford. He probably needed his comeback run early this month at Warwick after his break and hopefully will have benefited from that.

Like Rintulla in the first division, Eau Top heads the weights. He showed promise in fair company over hurdles and jumps fences nicely. He should not mind the ground and can be in contention today.

Ardmayle is a good fun horse and we're starting him back with a run over hurdles before he goes back chasing. I'm amazed at the going at Wincanton considering they had almost 50 mils over the past couple of days. We'll see how accurate that is when we get there!

Getabuck is a nice young horse who has plenty of ability. We could do with a bit of rain for him but he is definitely one for the future.

Shinobi is up in trip today and I think that will suit him. He has an outstanding chance of carrying his penalty.

Sirobbie came back to his best with another hurdles win at his favourite Uttoxeter last time having disappointed there over fences previously. We are hoping that he can bring his Uttoxeter form to here, after all Uttoxeter is in some ways a mini-Cheltenham in character.

Chidswell is a very capable long-distance chaser who has to be considered whenever he turns up in a race of this nature. He's a little wrong at the weights and has been off for a while but goes well here and can also run his race first time out. Could go close today.

The ground is always a huge factor with Iluminated Beauty because of her wind issues. She needs it to be good so any rain will not be a help. She ran okay last time and as this is a drop in class we are hoping for a good run. Place chances.

Storm Goddess has run well on both her starts since the resumption. She remains in good form and the ground will be to her liking. This is ultra-competitive but she is sure to run her usual honest race and challenge for a place.

Escape The City has been performing with her usual honesty all season, hampered by being denied the chance to run at Brighton where she goes so well. The ground today will be against her but her owners have the chance of a final outing before she goes up to the sales next week.

French import Art Approval made a good debut, beaten only a length, at Market Rasen. The ground may well be a shade too lively for him and the opposition is stronger but hopeful each-way.

Western Miller always runs his race, but off close to 140 in competitive handicaps like today's it's never easy. He'll run his usual gallant race, up there all the way and a fourth or fifth place finish would be acceptable. Better than that great!

We won the race last year with Saint Calvados and Rouge Vif has been aimed here for some time. Good to soft is his best ground and I don't think the undulations of Cheltenham will be a problem as he has shown good form on most courses. Big chance and an ideal starting point for…

Does He Know is a progressive young horse who won well at Ludlow. This is far more competitive but he deserves to take his chance. I would love to see him being placed.