Yearly Archives: 2021

Gentleman Valley is an interesting character. He's a bit of a hothead but as his first run in a bumper last season showed he has ability even though a couple of these have an experience edge on him.

When Maninsane fell last time it didn't look a bad one but he fractured ribs and puncured a lung and for a while we looked like losing him. He's come back good as new though, seems none the worse and must have each-way chances.

There are no secrets about Bearwith. He is what he is and on the balance of his form he has a chance but that wide draw is unhelpful. Each-way candidate.

We were hoping that there would be some overnight rain for Whitehaven as he likes it really soft but even if it hasn't come he still looks the one to beat. A little unlucky to be caught last time, his jockey will be fully motivated as he attempts to retain his title. I think Whitehaven…

No No Maestro has won his last two races with some authority. We can only be confident that he can maintain the progress and complete the hat-trick.

William Buick has been a great ally when we have been able to secure his services this year and it would be nice if Typical Woman would give him a winner in his quest to be champion jockey for the first time. Typical Woman ran a blinder when a 40/1 shot at Nottingham and could…

Glentaneous has been generally consistent although he didn't run so well on firmish ground at Doncaster. He's had a while to recover from that and with the ground and distance both fine looks to have a good each-way chance.

Jersey Lady made a winning start in a Ludlow bumper and ran a blinder next time when placed in a mares' Listed race at Cheltenham. She did not match that in her last two starts, but now, starting off in a three-horse hurdle, she has the form clearly to win it and her schooling has…

Rintulla won at Worcester but then unseated early last time. His schooling has been good since then and I am confident he will stay this trip. If he does he should go very close.

I've always thought a lot of Your Darling and was delighted when he won his last race in the spring. He has taken very well to fences - his schooling shows he is a natural jumper. He will improve for the run fitness-wise, but is well handicapped and hopefully I have done enough work with…

Lawful Command's form figures are unflattering but certainly the last twice he would have been much closer bar finding trouble in securing a run. Good each-way chances today.

Meadow Sprite has been improving steadily since we acquired her at the July Sales. She stayed on very well into third at Newcastle last time proving she stays the trip and we are very hopeful of her chance today.

Polish won a three-mile hurdle at Newbury in February in great style. He disappointed back on the Flat at York in May but was never travelling. Fresh from his summer break and on suitable ground we are hopeful of a better result.

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.