Monthly Archives: February 2025

In a word, Les's Jersey Royal has been uninspiring. We've tried to give him his best chance, finding an ordinary conditionals' race in which Callum claims 6lb, but it's hard to be enthusiastic.

That'll Do Moss won impressively on hurdles debut at Ayr. It's a very tight race with all the mares having won either last time out or the time before, but we're happy with our runner and think she should not be the outsider as the betting suggests. Hopeful.

Upon Tweed looks a very nice horse although this is probably a decent bumper. I expect him to run a nice race, but he'll still be a good prospect if he comes up short today.

New Order won nicely at Warwick two runs back but raced much too freely last time at Newbury. We're dropping him back in trip to try to combat that problem with the help of a first-time hood so he can get into a better rhythm. If he does he can go close.

We've not seen the best of Buxted Too for a while, but he is 1lb lower than his last winning mark on turf at Windsor in the summer. All seven of his other successes have been on AW including this CD. Ready to get back in the swim? Hope so.

I hope the first-time blinkers will have the effect of helping Sound And Fury to travel, something he hasn't been doing, but then fighting to the line, too little too late. If they work he could go close but he is a lairy bugger.

Bank On Frank has been beaten a fair way in both starts over hurdles since joining us. The first two in the market look likely to dominate and we'd be happy if he could finish 3rd.

Maharajah's Express has been beaten narrowly in all three starts since joining us, each time in sprints around here over the past five weeks. David Probert was on him the last twice and rider and horse will need to be on their toes to overcome the poor draw.

Evoluir is probably our best chance today. He has been a little unlucky the last twice at Newcastle, getting crowded as often happens late on there. He is holding his form well and should go close.

Book Of Life was 2nd three times in a row late last year looking as though a win was only delayed. Instead, his last two efforts have been disappointing and he needs to get his act back together.

Slipway has been finding it tough over fences this season and in three runs his mark has plummeted from 140  to 127 tackling strong opposition. We're giving some respite switching to a novice hurdle but this isn't the easiest. Interesting.

Slipway has been finding it tough over fences this season and in three runs his mark has plummeted from 140  to 127 tackling strong opposition. We're giving some respite switching to a novice hurdle but this isn't the easiest. Interesting.

Eyed is on the upgrade with two wins at Market Rasen and an unlucky early fall when distracted in between. I have to worry about a Nicky Henderson horse with two recent wins and a Cheltenham Festival entry, but Eyed seems to be going the right way, so hopeful.

Ginger Jonny has wanted a fence and he comes here today having had a wind-op. A completion is the main requirement and then maybe he can start living up to earlier expectations.

Mister Cessna won and was placed 3rd twice over jumps before joining from France. We asked a big question running him in the Grade 2 Finale Junior Hurdle at Chepstow where Johnny pulled him up saying he stopped quickly. This is a much lower grade and he is probably the one to beat on the…

Master Breffni threw it away at Catterick last time, cantering into the lead, then idling on the run-in. If he's on a going day he would hold an obvious chance.

Rioja Alta has run poorly the last twice. I'm trying half-cup blinkers and he's in the right class and race. Small chance.

La Zoubida ran quite a nice race in 2nd on debut at Sedgefield considering she was very green. The winner followed up with a win under the penalty while La Zoubida has come on a fair bit for the experience. I'm hoping she is good enough to win this.

Check The Score is in great form at home preparing for the switch to fences. He needs experience and as with most of our runners today, the going is on the soft side of ideal for him. Ultimately, he could be better than this but he does seem ground dependent.