Yearly Archives: 2022

Split The Bill ran well on debut at Catterick despite being very green. His chance will depend mainly on the level of the two Irish newcomers, but I reckon Split The Bill can go close.

Encashment did manage one second place on the flat with Mick Appleby but otherwise showed very little. It has been the same story over jumps for us but from a mark of 73, the only way is up - hopefully anyway!

I thought Dublin Four was the likely winner of his last race at Newbury as he was still travelling well when unseating at the fourth-last fence. With a clear round today he should gain compensation.

Hardy Boy won very nicely at Huntingdon on Monday and goes unpenalised as that was a conditional jockeys' race. He seems in great form and surely will be hard to beat today.

Stowaway Jess goes really well but is quite a keen filly so hopefully Liam can keep her relaxed. If she shows on the track what she does at home she would have each-way hopes.

Herewegohoney did well to overturn a hot favourite over this trip at Doncaster last time. The penalty for that success makes this a tough task but hopefully she will go well again on a track that should suit her.

Miss Milano has had one one or two niggles that have interrupted her progress. Her form is decent enough and I'm sure she'll win going forward - maybe even today, but then she will need to beat Everyday Champagne to do so!

Geryville did well to claw back a three-length deficit from the last fence at Newcastle. The second horse in that three-horse race ran well for a long way in the Scottish National and the well-beaten third won the Topham. Geryville is working like a good horse and now only 2lb higher, should go very well.

This is a big step up in trip for Slipway but he stayed on very well when winning over three miles at Southwell earlier in the season and might well stay this far. A feasible each-way shot in a wide-open handicap.

City Runner has done well in both starts on all-weather this year and is definitely improving. There are one or two obvious dangers but I think he has a solid each-way chance off bottom-weight.

We are confronted by a very well-handicapped Gordon Elliott horse who won last time despite jumping poorly. It will be hard to beat him but Parisencore will have got confidence from his last win and could give the favourite something to think about.

I was happy when Big Bad Bear came back to form with a win at Newcastle after a disappointing time. That wasn't the greatest race but it will have given him some confidence and the 5lb rise would not be beyond him on his old form.

Mortlach was very consistent in his Irish points and made a promising start for the stable when runner-up in a big field at Southwell. That was over two miles and it seems fair to anticipate a stronger showing over the longer trip. Big chance.

Dis Donc won his seller well at Wetherby and happily the handicapper has left his mark untouched. The grade is fine; the question will be whether he can handle this faster ground. If he does he should go very close.

Stay Alert is a nice filly who showed promise first time over a mile. She will be better for the run but if fit enough she should go close. The step up in trip will be in her favour.

Mokaatil is back on the scene of his most memorable success - in the Dash here last Derby Day. He is back on the same mark of 82 and if in the same form he is the one they all have to fear.

Sonification is a lovely Telescope gelding who has been very workmanlike in his exercise at home and has been a pleasure to train. As with all my bumper horses, the main objective first time out is principally educational. If the ground does go to good to firm he will not run.

Thundersockssundae has been running well without getting his head in front and last time he gave notice a win might be around the corner. For that to happen today he'll need to stay three miles which is something unproven so far. Possibly if he can anywhere it could be at Huntingdon.

Hardy Boy put up an improved showing last time at Hereford when he would have got up in another stride. That was his first time in a handicap and even with a 5lb rise in his rating he looks poised to go one better today. Big chance.