Yearly Archives: 2022

Stoner's Choice has plenty of ability but has never been the best jumper of hurdles. We are not totally confident that he will improve over fences or that he will be an out-and-out chaser for that matter.

Haymaker ran well in his juvenile races against decent opposition but his wind was catching him and we turned him out. We didn't do more than that hoping time would be the healer. He hasn't been in long and I looked at this race expecting there to be 20 runners and for us to be…

After his convincing win at Catterick last time, Carnival Zain is the one they all have to beat. He has a good draw in four and raised only 2lb for last time, can continue in similar vein.

Whatsupwithyou has been very consistent of late and surely after knocking on the door the last twice this could be his day. Lilly got a good tune out of him last time and he certainly looks very well treated here. Big chance.

Moktasaab lived up to the promise of his home work before his stable debut at Newbury two weeks ago, spread-eagling a big field and winning virtually unchallenged. Up 7lb for that, he may still be very well handicapped and it will be a major disappointment if he failed to follow up.

Moktasaab lived up to the promise of his home work before his stable debut at Newbury two weeks ago, spread-eagling a big field and winning virtually unchallenged. Up 7lb for that, he may still be very well handicapped and it will be a major disappointment if he failed to follow up.

Mrs Fitzherbert won a couple on all-weather and then went very close to earning some black type when fourth in a Listed race at Lingfield on her final outing of 2021. With only five opponents she has a decent chance of achieving that important status here and her pedigree suggests she will have no problem…

We bought Cap Francais out of the Ed Walker stable last year. He ran a couple of creditable races without looking like winning before the turn of the year and we gave him a winter break. This is his first run since and he could just need the comeback in a very competitive line-up.

We were hoping that Landen Calling would be more competitive when able to run in handicaps but the evidence of his first in that sphere at Warwick was unconvincing. Down 5lb after a big defeat there, he hopefully will show a little more on the faster surface today.

Kennack Bay was in the process of running an improved race at Fontwell last time, in the lead when falling at the fifth flight. If he can iron out the jumping errors that have cost him in the past he could be a contender for a place.

Lawful Command took a while to get the hang of racing as a juvenile but the penny dropped in the autumn and he won twice, the second time impressively at Newmarket. He ran another nice race off his revised mark when third at Newcastle on his only other start. He has continued to progress over…

Mokaatil took off in the last two furlongs at Epsom last week, replicating his win in last year's Dash there on Derby Day. He is penalised 4lb (up 6lb in the new ratings) and should be just as happy on this track. He has a very inexperienced rider, but Mokaatil knows enough about racing to…

Ami Desbois enjoyed the opportunity of running in his first hunter chase having struggled in later seasons with his mark of 145. He meets a potential improver in the promising  Nicholls horse who is half his age but he has a big edge on experience and could upset the favourite.

We're running The Resdev Way back quickly after his last run at Wolverhampton but he's 10lb lower on turf and yet has plenty of winning form, stays the trip and goes on the ground.  He has been running consistently and Paula has won on him three times in the past.

It would be unwise to think Estrela Star will improve on his encouraging first run back as he doesn't carry a pick on him and is naturally very fit. It was a good effort  though and I think he is the better of our two runners while Sam favours Yorktown. We'll be happy if either…

My three-year-olds have been needing their first run of the season and that could be the case with Gatecrasher Girl. She might still need the experience too but she goes okay and is probably worth a small each-way investment at a price.