Monthly Archives: February 2025

Magnolia won a 21k hurdle in France where her mark before leaving equated to 116. She has loads of experience and showed promise 2nd time out for us when 5th at Newcastle. Worth an each-way punt with the horses in better fettle.

Big City Roller won a UK point for Tom Ellis and then first time, a hurdle at Carlisle in soft ground for us. He's been off for more than a year but this starting point over fences looks winnable with just a four-horse field. Hopeful.

Master Breffni is a little up in class and 5lb out of the handicap. In this four-runner race, we'll run him the same way, dropping him out and hoping the top two, who both concede lots of weight, flag a little in the home straight and he outstays them.

The rain has come in time as Mr Grey Sky loves it very soft. There are only four runners and he has every chance. He ran well last time at Exeter and needs to win this to break our irritating sequence of placed horses!

Gege Ville is a bit long in the tooth at age nine to have won only one race, but that was last time when after 20 months off the course, he stayed on well to win going away at Haydock. The ground will be bottomless and that will be perfect for him. Up 5lb for…

"If it's not broke don't fix it." Maharajas Express has now run four solid races all over this CD and won last time under tonight's pilot David Probert. He's 4lb higher now, but from a decent draw and bearing in mind he came from some way back when he did win, it's fair to expect…

Serious Challenge was a high-class flat performer for Jim Bolger in Ireland. We've had success with horses from that yard before and Serious Challenge won nicely on 2nd start for us at Plumpton. The one worry is the ground - he didn't run his best races on heavy when in Ireland.

Gaelic Pride won an Irish point-to-point at the fourth attempt. We goes nicely at home and we are hoping for a forward display on this Rules debut.

Zestful Hope is slightly in and out but on his day is useful. Each-way chances, and he has won here in the past.

Home-bred mare Betty's Daisy goes nicely. She's a half-sister to two winning mares we trained so we're optimistic that she can make it three winners for Bridget Henley, if not today, not too far down the line.

Panama Black has been running very consistently and just got caught late trying the long 9f at Wolverhampton last time. The flat mile here should be ideal and from a good draw he might take more pegging back if he shows his customary free-running style again.

Foxlight has a smart Godolphin flat-race pedigree and he put it to good use when winning a bumper on debut in impressive style at Lingfield. He should not be phased by this shorter trip and if there are any holes in the Gosden horse, Foxlight could be the one to expose them.

I think Imperial Jade should go all right. She had been running well enough to be favourite last time at Wincanton but ran a shocker. This track and better ground (we hope!) could make a difference.

Whatsupwithyou has been coming down the weights as his form seems to be recovering a shade. Elliott has got to know him the last twice and the 10lb claim will be helpful. Place chances at least.

Buckna has been expensive to follow, but has still run to a solid level of form. He might have it to do against today's favourite who looked very promising at Huntingdon.

Militaire showed much more 2nd time out when 4th to today's favourite Salt Rock at Doncaster. He's allowed 8lb for just over six lengths and that could easily bring them together.

We've had this race in mind for a while for Milajess and she ran very well when 2nd at Sedgefield 11 days ago. Josh can take off 8lb in this conditionals race and she must have an excellent chance.

Famous Bridge has run his usual good races building up to today and I'm trying first-time cheek-pieces to see if they will give him that little bit of impetus. He was cantering when making a mistake and unseating Sean six from home in the race 12 months ago. I know it was a long way…

Samuel Spade needs to step up on recent performances and has a big weight here. He is down in class though and I can see his running into a place at a big price.