Archived Quotes

Hollygrove Cha Cha was impressive on her racecourse debut at Stratford,  winning nicely despite muddy conditions last month. She looks to have stepped forward again at home and can certainly win under her penalty before tackling better grade.

Obsessedwithyou bolted up on debut in an NH development hurdle, won again and then was placed 4th in two higher grade contests. She has been slightly disappointing this season, but that was on soft ground, so we freshened her up and waited for the spring. That patience can have its reward today.

Beholden won two novice hurdles in the 2021-22 season but picked up an injury and was off games for more than a year before his comeback run. I wasn't happy with him then, so he's had more time off and he's come back bouncing and in top form. He's a course and distance winner and nicely handicapped. Not without a chance in a bad race.

Value Added has high-class flat-race stamina in her pedigree. She was rated as high as 85 on the flat over around 1m2f but she ought to stay 2m over hurdles. She jumps well and could be pretty useful but will improve for this hurdles debut.

Git Maker had an excellent first season over fences in 2022-23 winning two of four and looked tailor-made for some major prizes this term. After winning on comeback at Lingfield, he jumped left-handed at Ascot, also finding fast going unsuitable. Then he ran a belter in 2nd at the Cheltenham Festival 18 lengths clear of the 3rd home in the Kim Muir. Winner of six of his 11 starts we think he will enjoy this test of stamina. Off his light weight, we think he has a great chance of running a big race.

Ex-French and 84 rated on the flat, Torneo was always going to be a good hurdling prospect. After two good runs, including a 3rd at Kempton over Christmas, he bolted up at Wetherby and then ran an excellent 3rd in the mud at Fontwell last time. Given time to recover and on nicer ground today he can continue the improvement and shouldn't be far away.

After a couple of disappointing runs, Double Click ran a battling race to come through late to win over this course and distance last time out. While this looks a better contest, he will enjoy conditions and should run another good race.

Topically, Landrake is related to Grand National winner  Rule The World on the female side of his pedigree. He had useful novice hurdles form in Ireland but disappointed over fences this season. He makes his debut for us back over hurdles in a very tough handicap but we feel he goes there with an each-way chance.

As the name suggests, Ellies Sister is indeed a sister to the useful chase mare Ellie Mac. She showed glimmers in bumpers but has taken an age to get the hang of hurdling. She'll do better when in her own class handicapping.

Big Cheese, who makes his debut over hurdles here, won over 1m6f on the flat where he had a 72 rating. He jumps really nicely and I feel he has a future at this discipline. He has a chance in what isn't a strong race, but will obviously improve for the experience.