Monthly Archives: November 2022

You can completely disregard Sporting Mike's first run but he went much better ridden patiently last time when third, a fair way back but belying his 66/1 odds. A progression from that would put him in close contention but he needs to put it all in, which I am a little unsure about.

Lady Percival won nicely here last time and I think the biggest threat to her following up is former stable-companion Percy Jones. I think he was well bought for only 24k at the sales last month and has shown form in better races. She's there to do her best, though, and if the jockey turns…

Lady Percival won nicely here last time and I think the biggest threat to her following up is former stable-companion Percy Jones. I think he was well bought for only 24k at the sales last month and has shown form in better races. She's there to do her best, though, and if the jockey turns…

Gortroe Joe made a creditable return when second to course-specialist Mercian Prince at Kempton. The likely favourite's defection should leave this three-horse affair at Joe's mercy.

Flann has not been in the best of form since returning to action. Despite a drop in his rating he still concedes weight to a couple of in-form opponents and is likely to find this hard work.

Applaus has a chance of reversing recent course and distance form with War Verge on better terms. He is much lower rated (20lb less) over hurdles than fences and while this inner hurdles track is less demanding than the outside flat circuit, they do have to go up that hill in the soft ground. Each-way…

Harper's Brook made a pleasing comeback at Carlisle and is in very good form. I hope he jumps as well as he did last time in which case he should be the one to beat.

Malinello has been off for almost two years and will probably improve for the race. That said, he isn't without a shout in this small field.

Feel The Pinch won around here over hurdles on his final start last season. He has had a warm-up this month and if he handles the switch to fences, he would look fairly handicapped only 2lb higher than the winning mark.

Caius Marcius continues to run well every time he goes to the track and sending him over three miles has extended the old boy's repertoire. He puts everything on the line every time and is the ideal partner for an inexperienced rider. He won well at Wetherby last time and even up 4lb, it would…

Paint The Dream made much of the running until tiring in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby. He has put up some very smart runs around here and down in trip back in handicap company, he could take plenty of pegging back.

Abuffalosoldier was staying on strongly into third when the race was all over at Fontwell last time. Stepping up from 2m3f to three miles around here should suit him and we are hopeful he can get in the mix.  

The last time Phillipa Sue made the track she was a 3-1 on shot at Ffos Las but could finish only third. She's had a good break since that January race and hopefully can put in a show more in line with her decent Irish bumper form before coming over to the UK.

Zestful Hope has a lot of weight and I will have a look at the ground before deciding whether to run. If it's wet and they can go throughit  we should be fine. Each-way chance if we run.

Party Fuzz ran well first time out at Ffos Las last season but after that he was never really right. This is a tough contest to start him back in, Again he is fully capable of being placed.

Apple Rock didn't manage a win last season but ended on a positive note with a good third and his mark is some way down on its peak. He seems very well for this comeback and the ground should be suitable. I think it's a good opportunity.

Gerard Mentor has had a good season already, winning three races. He loves fast ground and rain would ruin his chance. This could be his last run before a winter break and if the rain stays away he will go close.

If Richard Hughes' horse runs anywhere near his flat form he will take plenty of beating but I'm happy with Western Zephyr going into this race. He won a point easily before joining us and was quite impressive first time in a bumper at Huntingdon when he made all the running. I think we can…

Accidental Legend hasn't achieved much so far but going up in trip on softer ground could help. He could run much better as he has a pretty low handicap mark and this looks an ordinary race.

Punctuation won both his races for us last season and while he has gone up in the weights, we are hopeful he can start the winter where he left off at Newbury.