Monthly Archives: December 2023

Wild Saffron completely messed up the start on debut so probably didn't learn a great deal. Hopefully, she gets things right today and gets a bit more experience as she's shown ability at home and should be winning races once she gets the hang of things.

San Frandisco put in a blistering performance to win a 4yo Irish point at Monksgrange and looks as though he could develop into a seriously smart individual. By Jukebox Jury, a producer of smart horses both on the flat and over jumps, he ran a lovely race when 2nd on debut for us in a…

Issar d'Airy returns after his break dropping back to 2m having been racing generally over half a mile further. He showed plenty of pace in his first season and this winnable race will tell us whether to keep to the minimum or go back up in trip for the rest of this campaign.

Ruheen Boy won well last Friday and seemed transformed with the application of hood and tongue strap, he has gone up 11lb, so we have to run with a 6lb penalty. He seems to have come out of his race fresh and well so we hope he can follow up in a weak-looking race against…

Nassalam ran a superb trial for this when romping home over 3m here earlier in the month. It's hard to see how 4lb more would have stopped him that day and the extra distance shouldn't bother him either, although the much bigger field can throw up some unexpected threats.

Editeur Du Gite won the corresponding race last year by 13 lengths from Nube Negra but was behind that horse when fading away at Cheltenham last time. He is 6lb higher this time after last season's exploits and he needs to get back to his absolute best to defy top weight here - Nube Negra's…

Salver is a half-brother to smart hurdler Saldier and has won both his starts over jumps in some style. Whether that puts him in the same league as Burdett Road is questionable, but you never find out if you don't try!

Bridge has been struggling in the latter part of his races. He may need faster ground and/or probably low-grade handicaps to show his best.

Mart is in great form and I expect a good run. He's in the right race, has been flying at home and now has a better draw than when in the car park at Lingfield last time. Big chance.

Quercine ran well first time out but I'm not sure she was suited to Chelmsford. She was keen and got very tired. The filly has more than enough speed for 5f and although drawn a little wide I would expect her to take a nice step forward from her debut.

Time To Dazzle started nicely when 5th at Newbury but didn't match that in his two latest efforts in his first season. He starts handicapping here and would be dangerous if running to that first performance. Each-way chance.

Rusheen Boy makes his handicap debut after a break and being gelded. His work at home is much improved for wearing a hood and tongue-tie. He will have a good each-way chance at a big price.

Circle Of Hope goes well enough at home. She is on the weaker side physically but in good form. If she could take a step forward she might get in the mix but it's a tough little race and her last outing before a holiday.

We didn't realise it at the time, but Through The Ages was taking on a smart performer when 3rd to Burdett Road on hurdles debut at Huntingdon. We can expect an improvement from the son of Golden Horn, who performed to a fair level for Charlie Appleby. Hopeful.

Cephalus, once rated 77 when with Charlie Hills,  has not figured much in his runs for us so far despite showing the odd gleam of promise. Down to his lowest mark and from a good draw, we're hoping for an improved showing.

Two in this and all eyes will be on Junkanoo after his extraordinary performance first time out at Ascot. He got within a couple of lengths behind a Nicky Henderson previous winner and should enjoy this easier company.

I think Battleofbaltimore will win tonight. We tried stepping him up from 5f and 6f to a mile last time and he ran very well, just tiring in the closing stages. Now he's run at the trip and with cheek-pieces added for the first time to his customary tongue-tie, he can last out the distance…

Spirit D'Aunou will be the shorter-priced of our pair in this, his career having progressed so far in a much more normal manner, if four wins in a row can be described as normal. The run ended on comeback but 4th at Cheltenham was acceptable and he had a bout of the too-frees that day…

Le Patron has won both his races over fences, He is a long way behind some of these on his official rating, but he has plenty of potential and I'll be surprised if he didn't outrun his odds.

Nassalam ran on strongly for 4th over the Grand National fences on his comeback in the Grand Sefton last month. He goes well in testing ground and must have a big chance even with his big weight.