Guetapan Collonges will find the step up in trip a big help. He's a nice horse and I'm hopeful he could have an each-way chance.
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24/02/21 – 1st 18/1 – Byzantium Lad – Charlie Longsdon – Ludlow
Byzantium Lad is one of the legion of point-to-point horses who have had to go into Rules racing while their sport is stopped. We're still learning about him but hopefully he might have a small squeak.
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24/02/21 – 1st 5/1 – Ocean Cove – Fergal O’Brien – Doncaster
Ocean Cove needs to get his act together. He's been getting progressively lazier and seems to think he's at a holiday camp. He has had a wind-op and has been working nicely but I'm not sure I can trust him. He has the ability but whether he's a betting proposition is another matter.
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23/02/21 – 1st 14/1 – Grange Ranger – Micky Hammond – Wetherby
Grange Ranger disappointed last time but ran well around here previously. He's fine on the ground and while this slightly shorter trip might not be ideal we're looking to get him back on track with a solid run.
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23/02/21 – 1st 9/4 – Franigane – Harry Whittington – Wetherby
Franigane made an encouraging hurdles debut when second to a subsequent Listed winner at Ffos Las in November. She has pleased us at home since and we are looking for her to build on that today.
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22/02/21 – 1st 13/2 – Minella Tara – Fergal O’Brien – Southwell
Minella Tara won his bumper well at Lingfield but has been disappointing mainly since going over hurdles. He's probably a little inconsistent but has place chances here.
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22/02/21 – 1st 9/2 – Foster’sisland – Micky Hammond – Carlisle
Foster'sisland's bumper form was decent but over hurdles so far he's proved much less talented than expected. In some ways his better run in his jumpers' bumper at Newcastle could have been predicted and it may not be wise to draw too many conclusions from it in relation to this return to hurdling.
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22/02/21 – 1st 13/2 – Foster’sisland – Micky Hammond – Carlisle
Foster'sisland's bumper form was decent but over hurdles so far he's proved much less talented than expected. In some ways his better run in his jumpers' bumper at Newcastle could have been predicted and it may not be wise to draw too many conclusions from it in relation to this return to hurdling.
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22/01/21 – 1st 5/1 – Starvoski – Kim Bailey – Southwell
This lovely-looking mare ran well last time at Doncaster and with a repeat of that she would probably be placed. The odds-on favourite is an ex-French filly having her first run in the UK. She won twice and has plenty of experience but a double penalty. If she did not perform then we might surpise.
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22/02/21 – 1st 11/2 – Chapel Stile – Nicky Richards – Carlisle
Chapel Stile did well in novice chases last season and we've given him a couple of runs over hurdles this time so he's as fit as a flea. The downside is his big weight but I expect him to run a nice race.
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– Sceau Royal – Ken Pitterson – Newbury
Has some good Grade 1 form to his name and was second in this race last year. Alan King's runner has no penalty to carry this time round and with the ground not riding too soft he should be hard to beat.
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– Edwardstone – Ken Pitterson – Newbury
He was one of the top novices last season and ran well in the Supreme. Last time out he had a pipe-opener and now has to carry a 5lb penalty. A strong pace should help him settle and he has a strong E/W chance at around 11-1.
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21/02/21 – 1st 14/1 – Polish – Fergal O’Brien – Newbury
I think Polish looks very decent value at the price. If he can get a clear round of jumping in this big field he would have a serious each-way chance as he stays very well.
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20/02/21 – 1st 100/30 – Alaphilippe – Fergal O’Brien – Haydock
Alaphilippe was far from disgraced when losing his unbeaten hurdles record at Taunton. He steps up to three miles and I am very hopeful he'll stay. If he does I'm confident he'll win and the testing ground is no problem for him.
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20/002/21+ – 3rd 14/1 – Saint Dalina – Charlie Longsdon – Ascot
Saint Dalina ran a very good race last time at Warwick and this race if anything is even more competitive. On the plus side she stays well and goes in this ground so I'm hopeful this very genuine mare could be placed.
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20/02/21 – 2nd 17/2 – Fawsley Spirit – Ben Pauling – Ascot
Fawsley Spirit has improved dramatically this season and there's no reason to think he cannot continue his upward progress. The negative is that this is a much better race than Market Rasen where he won last time, but I'm hopeful he'll be competitive.
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20/02/21 -1st 9/2 – Third Wind – Hughie Morrison – Haydock
We were frustrated when Wetherby was abandoned and are happy to have the opportunity today. I can't say he should win and I'd be happy to be placed but he shouldn't be too far behind horses like On The Blind Side. I expect he'll run his race and we'll see what that brings.
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20/02/21 – 3rd 33/1 – Charger – Brian Meehan – Lingfield Park
Charger is a nice son of Dragon Pulse who we like and he's been to Kempton so will not be clueless. He will need the run, though and has a poor draw so he's probably a watching brief.
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20/02/21 – 1st 6/4 – Cardano – Ian Williams – Lingfield Park
Cardano has been performing well and won nicely at Lingfield last time. We are hopeful he can defy the 4lb rise and also turn around previous Newcastle form with Myseven. That horse has also won since but with a 5lb pull for a head defeat Cardano must have a decent chance of reversing the positions.
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18/02/21 – 1st 5/2 – Red Rookie – Ken Pitterson – Sandown Park
Red Rookie won his first two bumpers in heavy ground and ran well on debut over hurdles at Lingfield. The form has worked out exceptionally well with the top three all winning next time out. This lightly-raced type should have more to offer and must go very close.
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