Monthly Archives: December 2023

Henschke was in need of his first run, but has come along nicely since then. He has strong course form and is expected to go well.

Realisation has been beaten some way in her two hurdle races so far, coming a year after her romp in a bumper around here in October 2022. She starts handicapping off 103 and we think she could be better than that. Hopeful.

Dysart Enos has come through everything we've thrown at her so far, impressing in high-class bumper company and winning without turning a hair in her two hurdle runs. This is tougher, but we have maximum confidence in her as she goes up in class.

Tintintin had good form in junior NH hurdles last season, including a 2nd giving weight to Saturday's impressive winner Spirit D'Aunou. He disappointed a little on his comeback run at Cheltenham and needs to get back on track, but this is a less demanding affair.

Aubis Walk won one hurdle race very easily last season and if she behaves herself, there's plenty of ability in there. It's unfortunate that she has to carry top weight in a handicap first time over fences, but there just aren't any novice chases these days. Who knows what she'll do?

Better Getalong returns after his latest break. Now rising 13, he doesn't get much help from the handicapper although the fire is still burning. Let's hope there's another race or two coming his way.

Oneforthegutter ran very well on  AW debut last time, making the running before finishing a close 4th over 1m6f around here. The drop to 1m4f will not be a problem and I expect him to go very close.

With Constitution Hill coming out, this looks like a four-horse toss-up and I cannot see how Not So Sleepy, 15lb superior to Goshen on the flat and 5th in three Champion Hurdles, can be such a big price.  Let's see!

Everything is right for Vino Victrix to run well off this mark. He likes Kempton, the trip is ideal and if he could come back to the form of last year's Cesarewitch 2nd, he would look the obvious choice. We've kept him going for this valuable final, but i can't say I'm going there with…

We run two in this valuable final and Enemy has a nice chance, benefiting from a recent run following a short break. While a non-winner this year, he picked up a massive runner-up prize (£400k) in Saudi Arabia in February and only now is his mark reducing to a winnable level. Good chance.

Uncle Arthur needs to put his last run behind him. If he can build on his previous 4th at Chepstow he could make the frame. Each-way hopes.

I was happy with Dashinwhitesargent's 2nd run at Kempton and thought that should be setting him up for a win this time, but we seem to have found a very hot maiden race for a Grade C and D. Hopefully, he can run into a place.

Finn Russell bounced back to form at Wolverhampton after a spell of hurdling. He's 4lb higher in this hands and heels race. While Jack Enright, who rides, has yet to record a victory, being 0-40 in Ireland since 2021, all his four UK rides later this year have been for William Haggas. He can claim…

Peking Rose is back from a layoff through injury. We are looking for a nice return to racing for her and hoping for a solid run.

Mistral Blue was a well-beaten 2nd in a bumper at Fakenham last time on her return to action. This track and today's longer trip should suit her better, but her jumping could be novicey and she is probably best watched. Each-way chances, but risky.

Heracles Westwood needed his last run, but jumped well and has been going nicely at home. The penny was starting to drop towards the end of last season, so I'm hopeful he will keep building on his experiences and maintain the improvement.

The Kalooki Kid ran a nice race last time, staying on all the way up the straight to the finish. That was his hurdles debut after some promise in bumpers and now over the longer trip he can go very close.