Archived Quotes

Non-runner

Superstylin would ideally want softer ground but acts well on good to soft and would not have wanted it as testing as the last few times he's raced. If coping with the better ground he would have a chance, particularly as he is now coming down in the weights. Generally, though, he is a weak finisher and needs things to fall his way.

Tapley has started to come down a little in the weights but remains above his highest winning mark. Elizbeth Gale is back on today which helps with 7lb off as usually he runs well carrying a light weight. He needs top of the ground to be at his best and while it is drying, maybe not quite enough to be ideal. Also, it would need a career-best for Tapley to figure today.

It's best to put a line through Chivalrous George's last run as it was carnage at the start and he got very lit up so burnt himself up completely. He is better than that but is essentially still in need of experience and there are two or three with proven form on the ground. Hoping for a much better effort, but it's hard to read anything from his first race.

Record High likes Fontwell and has run well there the last twice. He coped with rather than enjoyed heavy ground last time, so I'm hoping we won't get much more rain before racing. He's in great heart and I hope he can go one better today.

It's a shame that Kempton got a lot more rain than expected overnight as Tapley really wants a sound surface. He has run well though on similar ground before at Kempton and he does like the track. He stayed 2m4.5f around here over fences so no reason why he shouldn't get a little further back over hurdles if ridden more patiently. Not on the easiest of marks but he could reach the frame and he is very well at home.

Superstylin was cannoned into at both the first and second fences last time and that lit him up too much over the step up in trip. He likes Lingfield and has dropped back a little in the weights. If the ground isn't too holding, he shouldn't be far away.

Non-runner

Dancing Sky clearly handles testing conditions - it was heavy when she won her Irish point-to-point  - and works nicely at home. That pointing experience will be valuable but this is a very competitive mares' bumper. 

Animal was unsuited by Windsor last time when it was debatable whether the ground was as soft as was officially described. This will be a real test and hopefully, he can enjoy himself with the slower pace and surface. I'm just looking for a decent run.