Yearly Archives: 2021

El Hibri, a gelding by Havana Gold, made a bright start when third of 18 at Newbury. Owned by Shadwell, he has continued to do well since that run and goes there tonight with a big chance.

Mokaatil ran much better than his finishing position of ninth suggests last week in the reserve Stewards' Cup over six furlongs. He won the Dash at this trip and in a depleted field he has the best draw having been totally on the wrong side at Goodwood. He is a reserve for the Shergar Cup…

Corbulo has already done us proud this season with three wins and two close places. He's very adaptable, winning twice from behind and then off his highest mark yet, from the front at Chester last time. Up 2lb more, I like to think that bottom weight here gives him a great chance of another win.

Ravens Ark is possibly getting a little cute as I thought he came to win his last two and appeared not to find as much as seemed likely. Cheek-pieces may provide the key and he did win on this track earlier in the year.

Boy In The Bar showed his first form for a while at Newcastle. running second to a well-backed winner who easily followed up at Wolverhampton. He is a long way down on his old rating so remains well handicapped off just 1lb higher and with William Buick in the saddle we have to be hopeful.…

Pour Joie ran a better race last time, but considering he was a bumper winner at the beginning of his career, he has been very disappointing since. If he did condescend to run his race, this is within his capabilities.

Sundayinmay got no run at all at Wolverhampton last time. There was no way she would have troubled the runaway winner but a place would have been within her compass. Each-way chances again.

Lord P is back over what is probably his ideal trip of six furlongs after trying a mile recently. He has his first outing since a wind-op and it's also a first mount for his young partner, Fergal's daughter Fern who was 16 only two days ago. We are hopeful of a good run.

Bonttay is a daughter of Westerner and has plenty of stamina in her pedigree. She shows promise and should be competitive on debut although several of her opponents do have experience and fair runs behind them.

Midnight Jewel might be limited but she is certainly consistent and last time I thought she might get her head in front until she was swamped for speed by the winner at Uttoxeter. You have to give her top marks for effort and she deserves to win a race. Off her feather-weight today she could…

Following a decent debut in a bumper Not At Present showed very little in his hurdle races. Returning after a break and in first-time cheek-pieces we will be hoping for a more positive performance this afternoon.

Urban Artist is unbeaten in handicaps, albeit against her own sex. She has done well since her last race and I hope she is in good form. The alternative was to try to get into the first four in the following Group 2 against the likes of Wonderful Tonight and this is a more realistic…

Pearl Beach ran well last time here, third behind two progressive three-year-olds who have boosted the form with places reversed since then. She might have been second with a clear run and while there is a fresh batch of improving younger rivals in this field, it could be the day she gets back to winning…

I've been wanting to run Eagle Creek over Newcastle's seven furlongs for some time and it's worked out well that there is a suitable race on this first day of the Team challenge. The prizemoney is great and two of the 30 horses we nominated are in action. Our team also involves Stuart Williams, George…

Tel'Art had a productive time last summer but was out of form during the winter. He has had a break and returns 4lb below  his last winning mark. We have to be hopeful of a creditable comeback.

I took Dual Identity out of Yarmouth yesterday as the ground would have been too firm but it's good/good to firm here today and if they get a shower it would be ideal. Dual Identity went too fast last time at Lingfield when a mile and a half  proved beyond him but back two furlongs…

With two non-runners Solar Impulse will face only three opponents. Last time at Market Rasen when going for a hat-trick he was clear at the final fence but fell with the race at his mercy. He has been raised 2lb for that - double jeopardy! - and the ground today is not ideal. Good chance…

Amberose had been rather moody in recent races and we planned retirement. She was covered by Gentlewave and is safely in foal and we have found her to be blooming since she came back to Greystoke. This will definitely be her final race but it would not be a surprise if in her present condition…

Right Destination needed his comeback run the other day at Newton Abbot after a layoff. He looks to be in the correct race now and again we feel we have an each-way chance.

The Vollan today? Good question. He's not very straight-forward nowadays although he still has plenty of ability. I thought bringing him back in trip might make things a little easier for him but I'm not going there with any confidence.