Blog

Warbler completed her requisite three runs with an ordinary effort at Wolverhampton. No great expectations on handicap debut this evening.

Village Master has been a revelation since going chasing winning four from four in April and May. He started off 78 and after his fourth success off 101, is now on 110, 32lb higher than when the sequence began. They say weight stops freight trains, but in his case, I'm hopeful it won't!

Buxted Too started the winter on a mark of 85. Confined to AW since, and down to 68, he's shown little sign of getting back to the multiple-winning form of early 2023. Maybe the switch to turf can inspire him. We live in hope.

I think the ground may have got too quick for Vino Victrix. He seemed to be saving a bit for himself last time and I'm not too bullish about his chance, although it wouldn't be a shock if he did win.

It's all about the start with Haymaker. If, as at Brighton, he misses it badly, it would be tough against these. His start wasn't great at Nottingham either, but he got up to win okay. Up 3lb for that, with a good break, he ought to have enough to defy the extra weight.

Marmalade Lady made an excellent comeback 3rd under Hollie on the Lingfield AW. It's her first run on turf tonight and I hope she goes on it but there's no reason why she shouldn't. Obvious chance.

Almazhar Garde has been running consistently at this grade for his last few races having tumbled down the handicap. If he isn't outpaced early and can keep with the leaders he should probably manage to be in the first four.

Standbackandlook hasn't got a great draw so I think we'll be riding him differently this time. I've taken the headgear off and he's down to 0-55 company. Small each-way.

Beylerbeyi returns to AW just two days after another decent effort on turf. He's gone close so many times, hopefully, this will be his turn.

Two in this bumper. Jakana has been beaten a long way in her two starts to date and needs to improve.

Blenheim Star looks to have the Gary/Josh Moore horse to beat, but I thought it worth taking a chance on that as she's very well after last week's win at Ripon. This is a very different track but she handled the undulations at the Yorkshire course so I see no reason why she shouldn't be…

Whathappensinvegus ran well at Musselburgh yesterday when it seemed he would be better for a little further. He's eaten up well and goes across the country to Hamilton where conditions should suit. Can go very well.

Bonne Vitesse has a lot going for her tonight. Her run at Catterick (1m4f) was over shorter than ideal yet she wasn't disgraced. Now on a stiff 2m1f in soft ground, her attributes can come through. Big chance and value each-way.

I think Blenheim Star has a good chance up there today. We rode her wrong last time but she has a nice draw and it isn't the greatest race. Each-way prospects.

I thought before the rain that Mandega had a decent chance. If it had stayed how it was for Monday's meeting - nice good to soft jumping going - he would have been fine. He ran well on the flat at Doncaster last time and takes his chance here. Each-way hopes.

Until last night, I thought Contre Ordre would be our best chance of the four but that has been diminished by the rain. Dropped back to 2m, we'll be making plenty of use of him and after some disappointing runs, his mark has slipped 4lb below that of his last win in November.

As ever, it's a situation brought on by the fact that opportunities are limited, not just for 4yo fillies like Azahara Palace. The RCA is calling the shots and the BHA seems powerless to prevent an increasingly unbalanced programme. We had to come here and face colts and geldings, but the alternative was giving lots…

Ikigai Star has raced up with the pace in both his starts for us since joining from the Joseph O'Brien yard. We'll ride him with a little more restrain today in the hope that he will get home better this time.