Yearly Archives: 2023

Clever Relation has had a few issues but he goes okay and as a son of Sweet Sensation, our Cesarewitch winner, we expect he will stay further in time. We've done well in early-season 10f 3yo races here in the past and as nothing much seems to have been happening in the market, I'm wondering…

Horaces Pearl is by Authorized out of an unraced mare. He's a lovely horse and although still a bit weak we are hopeful of a decent run on this debut.

The Kemble Brewery is a lovely horse. He has a good pedigree and shows ability at home. Capable of a big run first time out.

Western Zephyr has his chance. He has a double penalty and in a race where the top four are closely linked on official ratings, that might be difficult. Sure to run well though if at his best.

Dysart Enos is a very nice mare who hasn't put a foot wrong in good company. There are some very smart mares at the top of the betting but we hope she can be in the shake-up. Each-way hopes.

This is a first start in a handicap for Picks Lad, who should be suited by the step-in in trip. The big worry concerns the ground, but if he does handle it, he would have place chances. Perhaps capable of better.

Milltown Lily has been off for a while. There is another race in her, but I doubt it will be on all-weather. She will have better opportunities later on turf.

Soldat Forte ran well in both his bumpers and returns after a winter break for his hurdles debut. The favourite will be hard to beat but he goes there with an each-way chance and this will put him spot on for future tasks.

We are very hopeful that Sheklikesthelights can follow up. We think there is loads left in her mark after her good win at Doncaster which has been franked by the easy win subsequently of the fourth horse home that day.

It would be disappointing if Stuti hadn't improved from her promising debut 4th at Newbury. She should go close.

Pic Roc is a lovely horse who should have won a race by now. As the betting suggests, this will take plenty of winning.

Visite Officielle might have an each-way chance. She's fit from hurdling, although she didn't enjoy it much, but P J McDonald reckoned when she ran in those long-distance races around Pontefract that she traveled well and could come back in trip. We are taking 5lb off and she won't mind the ground.

I'm not sure Active Duty stays the trip over hurdles, but we did try him in testing company. He's a good workhorse and while the favourite looks tough, he could run into a place.

There has been plenty of word going around for a few of these, but they will need to be useful to beat The Jukebox Man. He ran a fine first race in his Chepstow bumper but found a smart newcomer of Harry Fry's too good. He's a lovely horse and I expect him to progress…

Bhaloo ran well when 4th on racecourse debut at Kempton just over a year ago. He shapes nicely and we are hopeful of a decent run.

Blue Bikini bounced back to form at Taunton but could not build on it last time when very disappointing. Has the ability, but doesn't always show it.

Dream Harder joins Buxted Too in our dual challenge. He has won four times in the AW season and the reason for optimism is that he might find a little for stretching out to 1m4f. Another with a place chance in a hot race, understandable for the money on offer.

If we are to win a race today from what looks a weakish hand it is most likely to be Grand Du Nord. For once coming from his last race to now he's had a clear run when he's often had the odd niggle to contend with. His mark has dropped a long way from…

Following on from his latest win at Southwell, Ardmayle was a little disappointing there last time. This smallish field will be to his liking and with not much obvious pace in the race he might be able to make the running, which is his ideal situation. The ground will be suitable and he could go…

Bumper winner Alp Kingdom will need the blow having been off from November and the soft ground will probably not be to his liking. Looking forward to his run just the same and hoping for a promising showing.