To be blunt about it Holme Abbey is an average horse in a very average race, so it's probably now or never for him. He still had a chance last time here when unseating four from home. We'll see tonight whether he would have won or not!
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17/05/21 – 1st 100/30 – Ravens Ark – Hughie Morrison – Brighton
I wouldn't necessarily have nominated Brighton for Ravens Ark but he was perhaps surprisingly dropped 3lb for an okay first run that gets him into this 0-70. Charlie Bennett rode him yesterday and said he's fine so let's hope he's right. Good chance on last year's form.
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17/05/21 – 1st 4/1 – The Macon Lugnatic – Ben Pauling – Ffos Las
The Macon Lugnatic ran a much better race at Worcester when a respectable third the other day. Hopefully he can build on that and go close but he's only a couple pounds lower than a horse chasing a four-timer so it won't be easy.
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15/05/21 – 1st 9/1 – Typical Man – Ian Williams – Doncaster
Typical Man ran well enough at Beverley on his first run back. This is pretty competitive but if you take the favourite out he should be there or thereabouts.
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15/05/21 – 3rd 20/1 – Frankelio – Micky Hammond – Thirsk
Every drop of rain that falls on Thirsk will improve Frankelio's chance just as it will lessen confidence in Irv. He won first time last year on good ground at Pontefract when Graham Lee said afterwards: "We got away with it!" He's been working nicely and back on that mark he has to be a…
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14/05/21 – 2nd 5/1 – Lordsbridge Boy – William Knight – Newmarket
Lordsbridge Boy was caught on the line at Salisbury on stable debut and I think he's come on a bit from that. He'll need to have done so as he's up 3lb. Our very inexperienced apprentice claims 10lb in this hands and heels race and basically needs to point him in the right direction and…
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14/05/21 – 1st 11/2 – Surrey Gold – Hughie Morrison – Newbury
Surrey Gold ran very well on his comeback after almost five months off at Lingfield and runs from the same mark today. He should have every chance with the run behind him.
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14/05/21 – 1st 16/1 – East Asia – Ian Williams – Newbury
East Asia has been placed in more than half his 14 runs in the UAE and was sent to me by his owner. He's not done anything sensational on the gallops since he arrived and this will be a marker as to where he is in relation to his handicap rating. I think he'll be…
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13/05/21 – 1st 4/1 – Northern Bound – Ben Pauling – Fontwell Park
Northern Bound is in great order but too much rain will not help us at all. I'll be looking at the ground to see if we can run him.
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13/05/21 – 1st 14/1 – Bellazada – Brian Meehan – Newmarket
Bellazada showed a lot of promise last year and starts handicapping on a fair mark. She found heavy ground unsuitable on her final run in a Listed race here in the autumn but she has been working very well. Great chance.
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13/05/21 – 1st 13/8 – City Derby – Fergal O’Brien – Perth
City Derby ran very well over this course and distance on hurdling debut. He is ready for another good run and could go close.
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12/05/21 – 1st 5/4 – Yauthym – Fergal O’Brien – Worcester
Yauthym is consistent but she doesn't always seem to last out two miles very well. She deserves to pick up a win and this flat course might be the place where she can open her account.
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12/05/21 – 3rd 125/1 – Dorisa Queen – Warren Greatrex – Worcester
Dorisa Queen has not shown a lot over hurdles so far but a first-time tongue-tie should help her. We're hoping to see a more taking performance.
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12/05/21 – 2nd 12/1 – Better Getalong – Nicky Richards – Perth
Better Getalong may be getting a little long in the tooth for novice chasing. I hope he'll be all right and it will be helpful if the ground rides just on the easy side of good this evening. He's only ever won over two miles so we're running over that trip. He's in good order…
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11/05/21 – 1st 15/8 – Beyond The Clouds – Charlie Longsdon – Sedgefield
Beyond The Clouds is a very genuine performer on the Flat and over hurdles. If he takes to fences on this comeback run he is sure to go very close.
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10/05/21 – 3rd 14/1 – Billy The Squid – Fergal O’Brien – Southwell
Billy The Squid made a creditable return to action when third at Chepstow. Something of a reformed character since being eqipped with blinkers, he should improve for the run last time and has every chance in an open handicap hurdle.
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10/05/21 – 2nd 13/2 – Commodore Barry – Kim Bailey – Southwell
Another competitive contest despite there being only six runners. Commodore Barry needs to show more than last time but is capable of getting in the frame.
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10/05/21 – 3rd 5/1 – Imperial Knight – Ben Pauling – Ffos Las
Imperial Knight is in very good shape and will have gained confidence after winning at Warwick last time. He should give another good account as he appears to be on the upgrade.
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10/05/21 – 1st 7/1 – Bembridge – Oliver Sherwood – Ffos Las
Bembridge put in a much-improved run last time. The step up in trip will help him and the ground will be okay for him. This will be his last run before going out to grass.
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08/05/21 – 1st 15/8 – Sayadam – Kim Bailey – Warwick
Sayadam jumps well and is a horse with a big future. He should go close as long as it doesn't get too soft.
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