Monthly Archives: October 2021

Gumball is in fantastic form at home and we hope the change has freshened him up. We think he has an each-way chance on this stable debut.

Paint The Dream would also probably be better with more ease in the ground and that may stop him winning. On the other hand if he can build up an easy lead he could run a big race.

Valentino Dancer has been in fantastic form under both codes this summer. He won well at Market Rasen last time and up only 4lb for that, he has a big race in him again today.

Vivas seems extremely well. I had planned to drop him in grade and run yesterday at Worcester as he's getting older but decided on this race. He will enjoy the ground today and can run into a place which would delight me.

This is a really interesting four-runner novice chase and any of the quartet could win. Does He Know has been schooling well and while his hurdle form is as good as theirs, he could easily be a better horse over fences. We go there today with plenty of optimism.

Surrey Gold needs properly soft ground and unfortunately tracks do not always accurately describe their going. When he won easily at Newbury in May it was officially good to soft. That was the description too last time there when he only stayed on one paced. Yet the first race was run in more than four…

Lake Sand didn't run too badly last time when we dropped him out. We will try different tactics tonight riding him more forwardly. This is competitive for the grade but fingers crossed he can run a solid race.

Burnage Boy hasn't won a race of any description and that in itself tells a story. He does however seem to cope with soft ground and from his lowly mark might run a little better than the 66/1 available might suggest.

Northern Bound is clearly the one they have to beat as he is unpenalised for last week's win in a conditionals' race and 4lb well in on his new rating. The worry is that the ground may not be ideal and we wouldn't want it any softer than advertised.

Une de la Seniere is a fabulous and consistent fun mare for her owners. She sometimes needs her first run of the season but will enjoy the ground today. Each-way chances.

Midnight Jewel is improving but off 7lb higher I'm not sure he ought to be favourite. That said, if he can maintain the progress he should have each-way chances at least.

It was pleasing to get Samba Dancer's head over the line in a maiden at Stratford. He had plenty of experience before joining us from Ireland and with his mark from handicaps only slightly adjusted, he should be ready to progress again today. Good chance of a follow-up.

Thunderclap obviously likes Kempton ignoring the last run anyway but I couldn't find anything else bar this trip to Pontefract. He looks very well considering his long season. Some of them keep their form well, others start to tail off. I hope he comes in the former category.

The Resdev Way did well to win last time, particularly as he came out of the race lame and with a minor injury. He has been working very well and the owners could have a special day although in his case he might be better on good ground.

Capaldi has struggled in all his races last year and this. It would need a massive step forward  for him to get among the principals.

George Bancroft is a grand horse who has schooled nicely. He won well at Ripon first time for us and while I hope it doesn't get too soft today as otherwise I might have a rethink, I'm looking forward to a big run.

Hannibal Barca ran a very promising race first time at Ascot earlier in the month and we have quite a high opinion of this Zoffany colt. Ryan has an excellent record riding for the stable and I have to be very hopeful of our chance today.

Another small field for Beyond The Clouds and the fear once more is that we get a slow pace like the last twice when he got picked off late. If they go a good gallop he would have his chance.