Next Race 

December 13th

Cheltenham (New course) Going; Good To Soft

The Bristol Novices Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m7f123y

Just thes even runners for this Albert Bartlett Trial. Conman John has been installed the early favourite on the back of his two successful runs over hurdles He got home by a short head in the first of them with Great Fleet over 7l back in third and then he beat the latter by 3l conceding him 5lb at Kelso next time over 3m. Great Fleet was subsequently 42l behind No Drama This End over 2m5f here last month and then went on to win over 2m at Kelso. Dan Skelton, trainer of Great Fleet has two in the race with brother Harry aboard Carlenrig. He won his point in the North of England by 15l and while the quality of the restquentlyof the field might not have been great it was impressive the way he just lobbed along before going away from his rivals. That was his only start in a point and he appeared eleven months later at Chepstow five weeks ago. There he was held up at the back of the field while at times racing keenly. He moved through the field at the end of the back straight and went second after two out but was no match for the winner although he was never asked for much only ridden hands and heels from the back of the last. He's a big sturdy horse who'll make a chaser in time and Dan Skelton was surprised how well he ran over the extended 2m3f at Chepstow believing he would be seen to better effect over 3m. He's sure to improve fort hat run and it's worth noting that the third horse was 14l back from the runner up. Olly Murphy has got off to a great start this season and runs They Call Me Hugo who won on his first under rules when winning at Ffos Las last month the runner up, who finished 14l ahead of the third was beaten subseqently. That was over 2m4f and he won his point at the third attempt over 2m4f. Nicky Henderson runs Reckless Spending who was third on his only start over hurdles to a horse rated 128. He's entitled to come on for the run as it was his first start since May when he was beaten 9l in a Bumper having been off since finishing a 3l second to Skylight Hustle in a Point over 3m. The latter won his Maiden at Fairyhouse last Month and had some useful form in a couple of Bumpers so I wouldn't rule out Reckless Spending with the Seven Barrows team starting to find a bit of form. The Tizzards have won this twice in the last ten years and have Kasino Des Mottes who won a Novice at Kempton last month. However on the run before that he was over 19l behind Conman John on the Old Course here. That looked to me like an educational run and it's interesting that they take the favourite on again here. Big Cadillac is the second Skelton runner and he was beaten over 5l by by the expensive and highly regarded Starzand over 2m4f at Ffos Las last month. Prior to that he had won his only starts in a Point and a Bumper. He's having his second run back after a wind op. The Twiston-Davies team run Intosomethinggood who is three form eight over Hurdles. He was beaten 62l by No Drama This End around here last month and is still only rated 125. Conman John, who has to concede 3lb to his rivals, has drifted slightly in the early market. But I've been interested in Carlenrig since watching his Chepstow run and I think he can come forward form that run and be in the mix here and as I'm writing this he's shortened in the betting and is now 13/2 having been 9/1 at one stage.

Selection; Carlenrig (13/2 freely available)

Best Alternative; Reckless Spending

Cork (Going; Yielding To Soft)

Coolmore Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase (Grade 2) 2m200y

Eight go to post and we have a sgtrong favourite in Kargese who is having her first start over the larger obsatcles. She was the highest rated of these when running off a mark of 148 at Punchestown last May. She just had the three starts last season and was a short odds on favourite on her first when beaten three parts of a length to Take No Chances in the Grade 2 at Ascot in January. She then won the County Hurdle at Cheltenham before finishing 6l behind State Man at Punchestown. Jalila Moriviere has had a run over fences when coasting home by 24l at Sligo in afive runner race. She had mixed from over Hurdles. Break My Soul also won her only start over fences when winning at Gowran last month with the runner up  subsequently finishing 9l back in third behind Westport Cove in the Grade 2 Cradoxxtown. Kala Conti is an interesting one with perhaps a bit of value. She beat Kargese over hurdles when in recewipt of 3lb by three parts of a length in December 2023. That for was turned around at the DRF. Her best form was when a 4l second to July Flower in a Grade 3 at Leopradstown last Christmas for which she got a 7lb rise in the Handicap. She disappointed at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse before getting a break. She reappeared in a Mares chase two weeks ago where she had a comfortable win jumping particularly well up the home straight. Joseph O'Brien runs one in the same ownership as Kala Conti. She's had just the one start when winning at Compiegne in France. She gets a 7lb allownace as a 4yo. The rest look to be racing for crumbs. Jack Kennedy was sweet on Kala Conti after her win in Cork and she could be the value in this race

Selection; Kala Conti

Best Alternative; Kargese

Hilly Way Chase (Grade 2) 2m1f

Majborough has won three of his four starts over fences his only defeat coming in the Arkle at Cheltenham when bad mistakes art the last two fences probably cost him and went down by three parts of a length and a head to Jango Baie and Only By Night with L'Eau du Sud three parts of a length back in fourth. He's odds on here but can have a few hairy moments in his races and has a tendency to jump left on occasions. Found A Fifty was no match for. He was much better when dropped back in trip for the Fortria at Navan beating Dinoblue by 5l. Those two runs should leave him spot on for this. Energumene is rising 12yo and probably vulnerable to these younger opponents. He may have been a bit fortunate to win this last year as Banbridge blundered and unseated JJ Slevin after been interfered with going to jump the last. The latter is reported by trainer Joseph O'Brien to be not as forward in his preparation as last year and the Market reflects that. Majborough for me.

Selection; Majborough

Best Alternative; Found A Fifty

Huntingdon (Going; Soft)

Peterborough Chase (Grade 2) 2m3f189y

Charlie Hall winner Djelo heards the five runners here, He won this last year in similar conditions and the 7yo should continue to improve. Willie Mullins sends over Saint Sam who has his first start since finishing three parts of a length back in second to Found A Fifty in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last April. Harry Cobden gets the leg up with Freddie Gingeel retaining the ride on Hitman who caused a mild surprise when winning the Old Roan at Aintree in October and has his first start since. He is 6lb worse off with Djelo who beat him over 3l at Newbury over 3m last February. Boombawn was over 4l behind Hitman at Aintree but is 3lb better off here. At 11yo Edwardstone looks to have gone backwards and lets hope he gets around safely for connections. Djelo for me.

Selection; Djelo

Best Alternative; Saint Sam

December 6th

Sandown (Going; Good To Soft)

Henry VIII Novices Chase (Grade 1) 1m7f99y

A select field of four for this and Lulamba is odds on to take it home. As a 4yo he gets a 7lb allowance and given that he saw of some useful Novices when winning by 10l on chase debut at Exeter last month it's understandable.  Be Aware looks like he could be quite good over fences winning by 4l on debut and then finishing a credible second to July Flower at Cheltenham last month. Lump Sum had some useful form over hurdles and won his only chase by 16l last October. He didn't beat a whole lot that day but if he runs up to his Hurdle mark he could be the main danger to the favourite. Alnilam has won his two starts over fences but the runnerp in the last one let the form down a Puunchestown recentlt beaten a long way although there may have been excuses. Lulamba was foot perfect at Exeter and he'll need to be here as the line of railway fences can be tricky. However he was the best of these over hurdles and if he can maintain his progress and with the 7lb allowance he could be hard to beat.

Selection; Lulamba

Best Alternative; Lump Sum

Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) 1m7f99y

A race to savour and Jonbon with attempting to win it for the third consecutive year and Nicky Henderson has decided on first time cheek pieces in an attempt to sharpen him up after his last run at Cheltenham. During that race he had a few poor jumps and lost his position and he had to be niggled along for a while before three out and ended up a 15l runner up to L'Eau du Sud. The latter had looked more than decent completing a four timer at Warwick last season and finishing over 1l back in fourth behind Jango Baie in the Arkle. and then no match for Kalif Du Berlais at Aintree. Willie Mullins sends over Il Etait Temps. After beating Gaelic Warrior at Punchestown in April 2024 he didn't reappear until Sandown last April where he cruised up beside Jonbon at the second last and only had to be pushed out hands and heels to win by over 5l. He had a bloodless victory in the Clonmel Oils last month winning by 18l. Liberty Hunter fell in the ASrkle and unseated behind L'Eau du Sud last month while Boothill pulled up at Ascot two weeks ago. I find it hard to oppose Il Etait Temps who is the selection.

Selection; Il Etait Temps

Best Alternative L'Eau du Sud

Navan (Soft)

Navan Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m4f

Six go to post and it's a tight betting heat. Gordon Elliot loves nothing more than winning at his loal track and he has three here. the betting is headed by Classical Creek ridden by Sm Ewing and Port Authority the mount of Dnny Gilligan both at 5/2. Number one Stable Jockey is on Kavanis priced at 9/2. Classical Creek won a Bumper and Point and was third in his only other Bumper. He won his Maiden hurdle after an eleven month break on Soft/Heavy Ground around this course and distance last month winning by 8l. Port Authority won his Point easily and his Maiden Hurdle by 17l. They were his only starts. The form of the point hasn't worked out yet while the maiden Hurdle win was just four weeks ago. He was withdrawn from his race in fairyhouse last Sunday. Kovanis is in the same ownership (Gigginstown) as Classical Creek. He won his point by 10l from Daydream Nation and won his Bumper with the third placed horse winning his maiden very easily next time.. He disappointed in a Fairyhouse Bumper on Soft/Heavy. He was third on his reappearance which was his hurdles debut over 2m where he got outpaced goinf to the last and on his next start he had a comfortable win around Clonmel on Soft. Thedeviluno beat the Gordon Elliott trained Skylight Hustle at Gowran last month and the latter came out next time at Fairyhouse without coming off the bridle. Daydream Nation won his maiden by 16l but if we take Pointing form srtictly Kovanis has the beating of him. There's a lot of rain forecast and some of these have no or poor form on a heavy surface. One who does is Port Authority and maybe the trainer knew something when he took him out at Fairyhouse last week so he gets the selection.

Selection; Port Authority

Best Alternative; Classical Creek

December 5th

Sandown (Going; Good to Soft)

Winter Novices Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m3f 178y

Just the five runners and the Paul Nicholls trained No Drama This End is odds on to add the Grade 2 Hyde Hurdle he won at Cheltenham last Month. It tells to how highly rated connections thought of him that they put him in there for his first Hurdle start. He had won his point and  a Bumper but things didn't go right for him in the Champion Bumper. He beat a useful horse in Heads Up in the Hyde going clear in the run in. Tormund Giantsbane won his point and his Bumper before going down by a neck in his second Bumper last December. He didn't reappear until last month at Carlisle wher he won his first start over hurdles by over 2l. However the runner up was beaten a long way by No Drama This End in the Hyde. Olly Murphy has The Blue Room for Bective Stud. He won his Bumper at the third attempt and then won his Maiden Hurdle at Chepstow last month by three parts of a length from Double Measure with the two pullinG 25l clear of the third. The runner up was beaten since. The winner should come from these three and I find it hard to oppose No Drama This End who is the selection. 

Selection; No Drama This End

Best Alternative; The Blue Room (without the favourite)

Esher Novices Chase (Grade 2) 3m42y

Just the four starters and it's an interesting contest. Doyen Quest beat Quebecois 10l at Exeter last Month. The winner had two runs before that the second of those when just over 2l back in second to Speculatrix over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow. He got a nine pound hike in the ratings for that win and it remains to be seen if he may have been flattered by the winning margin. That run at Exeter was his first since April for Quebecois who also had a wind op during the summer. We can also factor in that the stable didn't seem to be firing on all cylinders at the time. Quebecois is rated 6lb below Doyen Quest and gets 3lb from him. Given the expected improvement for his first run I expect them to be a lot closer here. Salver is the highest rated of these. He ran up a four timer in his first starts after coming over from France  during the 23/24 season including the Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow before finishing the season when third, beaten just over 6l, to Majborough in the Triumph. He ran respectably in Graded races last season without winning. He's had one start over fences when no match for Lulamba at Exeter who had him over 10l back in third. This will be his first go at 3m. Laurens Bay won his Bumper and two of his five hurdle starts but was the lowest rated of these over hurdles.. He's had just the one start over fences and beat his only opponent by 7l over 3m at Uttoxeter which got him a 6lb rise in the handicap which still leaves him with a bit to find with some of these. Quebecois improved for the step up to 3m when winning at Ayr last April and this trip will be ideal. I expect him to take a big step forward from Exeter and make him the selection.

Selection; Quebecois

Best Alternative; Laurens Bay

November 30th

Fairyhouse (Yielding To Soft)

Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m

Ten go to post and it's a tricky little contest so I think I may look for a bit of each way value. Love Me Tender has won a Bumper Maiden Hurdle and Grade 3 Novicee Hurdle, the latter at Tipperary last month where he beat a couple of hirses in the 120's by a cosy 6l. All his wins came on Good To Yielding. He is also only a 4yo but has to concede 3lb to his older rivals. KoktaiL Brut has good place form in Grade bumpers and got off the mark on his only start over hurdles winning by a very easy 9l from Colcannon who had beaten him 2l in the Grade 2 Bumper at the DRF. That win came on Heavy ground but he did win a Bumper on yielding and a Point on Soft. Gameball won his Bumper and maiden hurdle his only two starts and both on Good ground. The runner up in his hurdle win was well behind Blake at Down Royal next time. The latter had plenty of experience on the Flat in Britain winning twice and been placed three times in nine starts. He made his Irish debut at Cork last March in a Maiden Hurdle and was no match for the winner, finishing a 6l runner up, in what was his first race since the previous October. He didn't reappear until Leopardstown last month when he was awarded a flat handicap in the Stewards Room having been badly interfered with by the first horse past the post. Then next time at Down Royal he jumped beautifully and although it turned into a sprint hsi jump at the last put the issue beyond doubt and he won by almost 55l. I was there that day and was impressed by him albeit he's a leggy horse and I think he can improve again. Eachtotheirown was runner up in his two Bumpers before winning his Maiden Hurdle at Galway last month. Port Authority won his only Point by 8l and his only hurdle start by 17l on Soft to Heavy ground. He looks the Elliott second string with Sam Ewing in the saddle. The Passing Wife won three of his six Bumpers and his only start in a Point. He ran in a hurdle race before his Bumpers and had his second start over the smaller obstacles when beaten 2l in to third at Gowran three weeks ago. He's obviously well regarded as he went off favourite for his last two Bumper runs which he won and for that Maiden Hurdle at Gowran. It's hard to tie some of the form with runners here but I was impressed by Blake at Down Royal and he is worth an each way bet here.

Selection; Blake ( half point each way) 12/1 Paddy Power, Boyle Sports

Best Alternative; Koktail Brut

Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m4f55y

Just Six go to post in a race that has had a few thrilling finishes over the years. Romeo Coolio is a short priced favourite to add to his chase debut win at Down Royal last month where he beat Koktail Divin by 14l with the latter running a good race in the Florida Pearl last week finishing a 3l third to Oscars Brother. Gold Dancer won one of his two hurdle starts in France but failed to win in four starts over hurdles for current connections. They were all with Soft in the Going. However he has won his three starts over fences all on good or Good To Yielding ground. On his penultimate start he beat Westport Cove by over 2l in a Galway Grade 3 and the runner up has won his next two starts including the Grade 2 Craddoxtown at Punchestown last week. They've been bigging up Ol Man Dingle in the media this week. He's two from two over fences including a Grade 3 at Cork earlier this month where he had Mossy Fen Park, who had beaten Oscars Brother the time before, back in third. He was three from ten over hurdles so connections should know more about him after this. The rest look out of it. Romeo Coolio for me.

Selection; Romeo Coolio

Best Alternative; Ol Man Dingle

Hatton's Grade Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m4f

Six runners but the bookies have it priced as a two horse race. Tehupoo won this in 2022 and 2023 but had to play second fiddle to Laossiemouth last year' Following that he didn'r reappear until the Cheltenham Festival wher he went down by under 2l to Bob Olinger  and then got his reward at Punchestown beating Asterion Forlonge by over 4l. I don't think he'd want it much drier than it is as he is more effective with plenty of juice in the ground. Ballyburn has his first start over hurdles since winning at Punchestown in May 2024, He's had five starts over fences since with mixed results. Willie Mullins now plans to aim him at the Stayers at Cheltenham in march and he's expected to step up to 3m after this at Leopardstown over Christmas. Like Teahupoo it's his first start since Punchestown. Mystical Power has ben a disappointment in three starts since scoring a double over Firefox at Aintree and Punchestown in 2024. He's another who Mullins is now going to aim at the Stayers. Teahupoo for me.

Selection; Teahupoo

Best Alternative; Ballyburn

November 29th

Newcastle (Going; Good To Soft)

Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m190y

A five runner field that hopefully will tell us a lot. Constitution Hill is on a recovery mission after flopping last season. He looked to be continuing his dominace of the Grade when winning the Christmas Hurdle and then the International. However he fell four out in the Champion Hurdle and crashed out again at the second last at Aintree before finishing 27l behind State Man at Punchestown. As usual Nicky Henderson is making positive noises, but we've heard that many times before. I'd love to se him do himself justice but for me he's a watching brief. The New Lion steps into open company following a stellar season. He won his first two starts, a Maiden and a Novice before stepping up in grade to win the Challow (Grade 1) where he had the useful Wendigo almost 5l back in second. On his next and final run of the season he got the better of The Yellow Clay by three parts of a length in the Baring Bingham at the Festival. His last three wins were over an extended 2m4f twice and 2m5f at Cheltenham and the drop back in trip might be a slight concern althought the Skelton's plan is for him to end up in the Champion Hurdle (2m) and hopefully the ground will stay a sit is or go to soft although the rain prediction is less that a 50% chance for most of the time up to post time. Anzadam has had just the four starts so far. The 5yo moved to Willie Mullins after winning his two starts in France in the Autumn of 2023. He wasn't seen again until the Autumn of last year when he strolled to an easy victory in the Grade 3 at the Fairyhouse Christmas Festival winning by over 6l from Kala Conti who was flattered by that margin. He wasn't seen again until the end of January at Naas when he had another comfortable win in the Grade 3 Limestone Lad by 11l from Beacon Edge over 2m. Connections are aiming for the Champion Hurdle so he'll have to prove he's worth the entry here. Last season's Champion Hurdler, Golden Ace, who may have been fortunate to collect as State Man fell at the last when 5l clear. State Man got his revenge at Punchestown but is now sidelined for the season. Golden Ace went off at 4/11 on seasonal debut but ran no sort of race finishing 28l in second to Kateira (who is a full sister to The New Lion) in a two horse race. Probably best watched. Connections are probably between a rock and a hard place with Nemean Lion who has been a great servant for them winning seven and been placed in four from fifteen starts. He's got to carry top weigh in Handicap Hurdles with his mark of 151  but managed to complete a hat trick winning a handicap hurdle, a valuable conditions hurdle and finally the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell last February. He pulled up in the Stayers at Cheltenham on his first attempt at 3m. He wears a first time tongue tie. A few questions will be answered here and slight preference is for The New Lion

Selection; The New Lion

BestAlternative; Anzadam

November 28th

Newbury (Going; Soft Hurdles course Good To Soft Chase Course)

John Francome Novices Chase (Grade 2) 2m3f187y

Six go to post for what could well be a cracking contest. Wendigo is a useful sort winning two his Bumpers two Hurdles and runner up in two hurdles. On his only other start over hurdles he was unlucky to be interfered with and stumbled two out in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival. He made his chase debut at Worsester last month and looked a winner going to the last. He got bumped by the eventual winner on the run for home eventually going down by a head to Wade Out who has won a Cheltenham Listed Chase since. Wendigo has improved for his first run the last two seasons and he comes here with a great chance. According to his trainer, Paul Nicholls, Regents Stroll was very immature last season. He won his Maiden and was sent to the Grade 1 Challow next where he was over 2l behind runner up Wendigo who was almost 5l behind the winner The New Lion who is now second favourite for the Champion Hurdle. Regents Stroll returned in the New Year to be runner up in races either side  of winning a Novice Hurdle at Wincanton albeit the last run was in the Grade 1 Mersey over 2m4 when he was just half a length behind the winner Honesty Policy. Kingston Pride was bought out of Nicky Henderson's during the summer and on his first starts for new connection s he won a three horse race at Perth as the outsider of three, helped by the fall of the odds on favourite Tripoli Flyer three out. No Questions Asked won a Novice Handicap Chase on his Chase debut at ascot just over three weeks ago. He had been cosistent over Hurdles winning three and been placed in two of his six starts. He was well beaten in the Martin Pipe on his final start last season. He comes from a yard in form so can't be discounted. Crest Of Fortune finished last season at Aintree with a third in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices Hurdle beaten over 2l by Julius Des Pictons. He won twice and was placed four times, all his starts over hurdles. He made his chase debut at Cheltenham last Month finishing just over 2l to Zurich conceding him 10lb. King Of Kingsfield makes the trip back over the Irish Sea having pulled up at Cheltenham last month where he never travelled after a mistake at the first and another three out. On his penultimate start before that in a Grade 3 at Roscommon he had finished over 2l back in third to Westport Cove conceding 4lb to the winner who did the form no harm winning the Florida Pearl at punchestown last Sunday. He has been kept going over the Summer winning three times over fences but the Cheltenham run was his third start in twenty five days. I think the benefit of a run will stand to Wendigo who comes from a stable, and with a jockey, both in great form.

Selection; Wendigo

Best Alternative; Kingston Pride

Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m57y

Seven go to post and it might be a tricky little contest to figure out. Lat year Strong Leader got the better of his three opponents by over 3l. This year's race looks to have a bit more depth to it. after winning here last year Strong Leader was tailed off in the Long Walk at Ascot in December. He probably needed it next time at Cheltenham in January before having a break and going to Aintree where hi was beaten almost 3l into second by Hiddenvalley lake. He was off then until Wetherby earlier this month where he beat Take No Chances a neck conceding the runner up 7lb. According to Nicky Henderson Ipose Toi shows nothing at home, however he won two Bumpers in France and in twelver starts over hurdles for current connections he's run twelver times, won five and been placed in an other six. He won around here in a Handicap Hurdle on this weekeend last year and didn't reappear until the Coral Cup at the festival where he was a 3l second to Jimmy Du Seuil hewas then fourth and second at Aintree and Punchestown. He won on seasonal debut beating Chasing Fire by just over 3l and has gone up to a mark of 153. After that run Henderson thought he wasn't going to be a Graded horse but the handicapper has made up his mind for him. On ratings he has 3lb in hand on Strong Leader due to the conditions of the race. Take No Chances appears to have benefitted from a step back up in trip beaten a neck in that Wetherby race as he had been beaten in mid range races the four times before. He meets Strong Leader on the same terms here. Hewick was beaten 28l in the Charlie Hall having won at Thurles over Hurdles the time before that last month. Gavin Sheehan appears to have been jocked off with trainers son Paddy back on board. Doddiethegreat was third, beaten over a length in Strong Leader's race at Wetherbyand meet him on the same terms here. He looks the second choice of the Henderson pair. Ahoy Senior looks a shadow of what he was and Botox Has hasn't won in seven starts since winning the Rendelsham on heavy ground at Haydock in February of last year. The weights slightly favour Impose Toi and he gets the selection albeit there is nothing between him and Strong Leader.

Selection; Impose Toi

Best Alternative; Strong Leader

November 23rd

Punchestown

Craddockstown Novice Chase (Grade 2) 2m43y

Just the five going to post and Fleur In The Park shades favouritism from Westport Cove and it looks to be between them. Fleur In The Park has had just the two runs over fences but he impressed in both winning by over 6l on debut then beating Tullyhill by 8l in Wexford. He struggled to get his head in front over hurdles winning just once in seven starts and being placed in another four of them. He was unlucky to be in a Novice division that was so strong and it's noteworthy that he opts out of open class hurdling and goes chasing. Westport Cove is very experienced over fences and is two wins and three seconds from eight runs. He lost his form a bit after five runs on Heavy ground over Hurdles winning on his first start in that discipline and having just two placesfrom his eight starts. He's had five runs since April and it looks to me that he likes a nice bit of ground conditions. Relieved Of Duties won first time out over fences and Gordon Elliott sent him to Cheltenhma's October meeting where he finished over 4l back in second to Alnilam who ran off a mark of 141 and is now rated 145. Kilbarry Saint is very exposed and connections are hoping or a bit of Black Type for the Mare. Qualimita was beaten over 3l into second on her only start over fences. The winner was rated 140 over hurdles while Qualimita was a lowly 118 over hurdles. Not the greatest renewal of this race but slight preference is for Fleur In The Park.

Selection; Fleur In The Park

Best Alternative; Westport Cove

John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1) 2m3f150y

A big field of eleven ate due to face the starter and seven of them are trained by Willie Mullins. He has the favourite in Fact To File who won this last year and. He was subsequently beaten in two starts over 3m by Gallopin Des Champs before winning the Ryanair by 9l from Heart Wood a Cheltenham. He disappointed over 2m at the Punchestsown Festival and makes his seasonal debut here over what is probably his best trip. Gaelic Warrior disappointed at Leopardstown over Christmas and the DRF but came alive at Aintree to win the Grade 1 Bowl and then went to Sandown and won the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase. Those two defeats were over 2m and stepping up in  trip seemed to be the answer. There's talk about him going for the Gold Cup. Fastorslow won this in 2023, was unlucky to unseat in the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following March but made amends in the Punchestown equivalent. He ran in this race last year but could only finish fourth after which he was found to have an injury and has been off the racecourse since. The word is he's been back in training for a good while  so like the other favourites paddock inspection will help. Inothewayurthinkin was beaten 36l in last year's race and was out of the frame in two subsequent starts behind Gallopin Des Champs before winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He's ran three times at Punchestown and been well beaten on each occassion and with the Cromwell team only operating at a 3% strike rate over the last fortnight I'll take a watching brief on him. Heart Wood has had a run this season when beating Moonbeg Park by just under 2l  here at Punchestown. That was over 2m7f as was his previous win at Wexford in October last year and was only beaten a neck in the Drinmore (2m4f) next time. Lecky Watson completed a hat trick when winning the Brown Advisory last March but fell at the Punchestown Festival. This is his first start since. The remainder probably have their eyes on the prizes next Spring at Fairyhouse and Aintree. Fact To File to shade it.

Selection; Fact To File

Best Alternative; Gaelic Warrior

November 22nd

Haydock (Going; Good To Soft, Soft in places)

Newton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) 1m7f144y

Just six runners and the Double Green team look to have a nice horse on the hands with Masked Man. Brought along by the Crawfords in Larne to win his Point in very impressive fashion he then moved to the Twiston-Davies yard ans they went straight over Hurdles with him and he duly obliged, again impressively, when winning a Novice hurdle y 12l at Chepstow last month. He made all at Chepstow but had been held up in his Point. The runner up at Chepstow came out and won by 8l at Wetherby next time. Sticktotheplan has won three and been second twice in his five hurdle starts and is now rated 143. On his last start he won the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow. However all his wins have been on Good ground. The Skeltons are in great form and run Double Measure here. He won his only Bumper and on his only start over hurdles he was held up and made progress three furlongs out up the long Chepstow straight but an awkward jump at the last didn't help and he failed to peg back the winner going down by three parts of a length. He wasn't knocked about and got a nice hands a heel ride in the finish so should learn plenty and come on for that run. Diamond Hunter was runner up in three of his four Points and pulled up in the other. They were all on Yielding or Good To Yielding. On his only Hurdles start he ran out a 24l winner around Plumpton on Good ground Good To Soft in places with his main rival not jumping fluently and weakening before two out. Jony R caused a surprise at Down Royal three weeks ago winning at 16/1 from Kalyps'chance by 9l with that one winning last week in the Grade 3 Monkstown Hurdle at Navan. The Egytian Ginge is a second Twiston-Davies runner but his form doesn't suggest he can win this. There are a few of these who could be anything but I'll take a chance with Masked Man.

Selection; Masked Man

Best Altrenative; Sticktotheplan

Betfair Chase (Grade 1) 3m1f125y

Royale Pagaille who has won the last two runnings of this renews rivalry with last year's Runner up Grey Dawning. Grey Dawning looked to have had the measure of his rival going to the last but the petrol was running out and he didn't jump it too well and Royal Pagaille found more from the back of the last. The winner ran poorly in four subsequent starts while Grey Dawning pulled up in the King George and then won next time in a Listed Kelso Chase before finishing 3l behind Gaelic Warrior at Aintree In the Bowl. Significantly those last two runs were on better ground than Haydock. Haiti Couleurs doesn't have many miles on the clock for an 8yo. He'd a memorable season just gone wining four of his six starts culminating in the Irish National at Fairyhouse. He resumed two weeks ago winning a Handicap hurdle a Newbury, however he has 12lb to find with Grey Dawning at the ratings. Handstands fell on chase debut last season but won his next three, two Grade 2's and a Grade 1. He disappointed on his return at Carlisle three weeks ago where he didn't jump well. However Ben Jones his jockey had a job pulling him up. His trainer is expecting a big run here. Gordon Elliott sends over Stellar Story who won on chase debut a year ago but has been beaten on four starts since including a 4l second to Lecky Watson in the Brown Advisory. However he'll probably need more rain to have a chance here. The Skeltons are in great form at the moment and winning lots of pots before Willie Mullins starts sending over some of his stars and they have Grey Dawning here. However I just wonder if he sees out the final furlong of this trip. I'm a big admirer of Handstands who was impressive last season. We can draw a line through him pulling up in Aintree as he was badly interfered with and lost touch and his jockey did the right thing. He's still only 6yo and should have plenty of improvement in him and his trainer, Ben Pauling, says he looks magnificent so I'll give him a sporting chance. 

Selection; Handstands

Best Alternative; Haiti Couleurs

Ascot (Going; Good To Soft, Good in places)

1965 Chase (Grade 2) 2m5f

Just five going to post but it's a tricky contest to weigh up. Il Est Francais has had his ups and downs since winning the Kauto Star so impressively in December 2023. He's been moved permanently to England where there are better opportunities for him as he's best going right handed. Noel George has sent him to his father Tom and he's been trained for the King George. He's been installed the early favourite but hasn't run since May and I'm prepared to watch him here. Jango Baie has had a wind op over the summer. He had top class Novice form last season winning a Grade 2 and Grade 1 and been placed in two Grade 1's, all his starts. He finished the season beaten just over 1l by Impaire Et passe at Aintree. He has to concede 3lb to the favourite despite been rated 7lb below him. Pic D'orhy loves it around here winning five times including the last two running's of this. If he was to win here it would push him over the £1 million in winnings. He is now a 10yo and has to concede weight to his rivals. However he has had the benefit of a run when finishing 1l back in second behind Djelo in the Charlie Hall three weeks ago. Gidleigh Park was a short head in front of Jango Baie in the Aintree race last April and had beaten Caldwell Potter by 4l the run  before. Hopefully he has put his problems behind him as he looked an exciting prospect in the '23-'24 season. Master Chewy was second in the Old Roan last month but has to concede weight to all but Pic D'orhy who gets the selection.

Selection; Pic D'orhy

Best Alternative; Jango Baie

The Ascot Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m3f63y

Nine go to post and Wodhooh is a clear favoorite. From Septmeber 2023 until last March she won seven consecutive races and then went to Aintree where she took a big step up to Grade 1 company and finished second, just under 3l , to Lossiemouth who went clear towards the finish. The conditions of the race favour her and she gets 10lb from Potters Charm who is rated 9lb lower than her. At Wetherby three weeks ago, on his first run back after a wind op, he stumbled and fell just after four out. He had completed a four timer when winning the Formby (Grade 1) at Aintree last Christmas but was a beaten odds on favojurite next time and then had two very disappointing runs. Celtic Dino comes here instead of Haydock presumably looking for better ground as his three wins over hurdles have come on Good ground. One of those wins came at this meeting last year so he likes the course. I think he's a live each way chance. Altobelli finished a long way behind in the Liverpool Hurdle last April in what was a big step up in trip and Grade. They've given him a wind op since and this is his first run back. Kateira beat a disappointing Golden Ace in a two horse Mares hurdle at Wetherby earlier this month. That was her first run since January when she was beaten a head by Jetara in a Grade 2 Mares. Crambo has his first run since May and drops back to this trip for the first time  in two years. He beat Hiddenvalley Lake in the Long Walk here last December but had three disappointing efforts subsequently. Nemean Lion pulled up in the Stayers at Cheltenham and is fitted with a tongue tie for his first start since. The conditions of the race are very favourable to Wodhooh who we know can win off extended breaks and she gets the selection while Celtic Dino looks good each way value at 6/1 in a few places.

Selection; Wodhooh

Best Alternative; Celtic Dino

Punchestown (Going; Soft To Heavy)

Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Grade 2) 3m51y

Rocky's Diamond was the highest rated of these over hurdles and has been installed the early favourite. He's had two runs over fences, winning impreesively first time over 2m2f at Galway where he made use of his stamina and won by over 5l with the runner up winning next time. The fourth My Great Mate had finiushed almost 4l behind King Of Kingfield on chase debut in July and the winner ran off a mark of 145 at Cheltenham last week. Oscars Brother was runner up on his first two chase starts before beating O'More Park by over 3l at Galway last month. He's been given a rating of 140. Koktail Divin was a 14l runner up to Romeo Coolio at Down Royal three weks ago. That was his first run since April so improvement can be expected however he was rated 17lb lower than the favourite over hurdles. Bossofthebrownies beat Union Station 13l on chase debut at Fairyhouse earlier this month in what looked a poor race. That was his first win in eight starts under rules and he would need considerable improvement on his hurdles form to figure here although fences are maybe what he needs. He also won in a first time tongue tie. Prends Garde A Toi was second on chase debut having won one of six hurdle starts. He'll need to show a big improvement over fences. Nurburgring has been pretty inconsistent with some good form followed by some poor efforts. He's had seven starts over fences winning just one, at Killarney in July. He's had three runs since then so unless there is a market move I can't see him figuring. Rocky's Diamond impressed me when winning at Galway and gets the selection.

Selection; Rocky's Diamond

Best Alternative; Koktail Divin

Morgiana Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m160y

Just the four runners and Lossiemouth is odds on to collected another Morgiana for Willie Mullins. He's won twelve of the last fourteen runnings and he has two chances here with Irancy backing up Lossiemouth. The favourite has won eleven of her thirteen starts and there are excuses for the defeats. She's the highest rated horse in the field and gets the 7lb Mares allowance. However the plan was to go to the Hattons Grace next weekend with her but with State Man out the Closutton team have to re-arrange the deck chairs. Irancy is interesting. He won his Maiden in Mid November last year around here and didn't re-appear until the Cheltenham Festival wher he was well beaten in the Supreme. He then won the Grade 2 at Fairyhouse at Easter before hosing home by 9l at 16/1 in the Grade 1 Champion Novice at the Cheltenham Festival. He's only had seven starts and has had a few issues but is one to be wary of. Ndaawi represents Gordon Elliott who has won it twice in the last fourteen years. He's just two from eight over hurdles and one of those wins was when he got the Galway Hurdle in the Stewards room after being interfered with after the final hurdle. The handicapper gave him a 9lb rise after that and he should be race fit as he's ran in two big handicaps in Chester and Newmarket the last two months. Glen Kiln is in good form having won two of his last three and made a bad mistake and unseaated at the last when in  front at Tipperary. Has a good bit to find on ratings. It's hard to find fault with Lossiemouth who is the selection but Irancy is an unknown quantity stepping out of Novice company and may be a danger.

Selection; Lossiemouth

Best Alternative; Irancy

With plenty of rain forecast for the next 24 hours racing Saturday must be in doubt on both sides of the Irish Sea. 

Precautionary Inspection at 07.30hrs Saturday

November 15th

Cheltenham (Going; Soft, Good To Soft in places)

The Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m87y

Twelve go to post and there are a few interesting French recruits. Two of them, Parchment and Precious Man head the early market. Parchment won his only start in France and the form of that race is working out with the third and fourth winning since with the fourth, Hells Storm,  now rated at 63.5kg which is around 140lb. Precious Man, who runs in a tongue tie, comes from the inform Skelton yard. He ran twice in France and placed second first time out then won by a Neck at Auteuil from a horse who has won twice since and is rated 66.5kg. Gavin Cromwell sends over Secret Force who beat two time hurdle winner, Hopes Are High, by over 6l at Punchestown last month albeit he was getting 10lb from the runner up who re-opposes here. Secret Force has won on the Flat on Heavy ground. James Owen only had a handful of horse back in the 22-23 season when he started training under rules but he expanded rapidly and has won the last two running's of this with Burdett Road and East India Dock. He has two runners here for the same connections, the Gredley Family, Hallelujha U and Kate O'Reilly. Hallelujah U makes his hurdles debut having finished the Flat season on a rating of 101. He won just twice from nine starts,once on the flat and once on the all- weather. But it was the Grade 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot that elevated his ranking as he was just over 2l back in sixth behind the winner Carmers. Kate O'Reilly gets the Fillies allowance. She won her only start over Hurdles running out an easy 4l winner. She won twice on the all weather also. One Horse Town has won all three starts over hurdles by wide margins to add to his two wins from seven starts on the Flat (All-Weather). He's been given a rating of 123 so it will be interesting to compare him with the French recruits. Galactique has won two of his three hurdle starts, all around Fontwell. This is a big step up. The remainder are all fancy prices and have been taking a walk in the betting. Generally I wouldn't have a bet with so little collateral form but if the French ratings are right then the Bookies have got the market righ and I've a slight preference for Parchment.

Selection; Parchment

Best Alternative; Precious Man

Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices Chase (Grade 2) 1m7f199y

Just the six runners here. July Flower had an impressive and effortless win on her seasonal and chase debut last month at Limerick Her trainer Henry De Bromhead had her for a few months in the 2022-23 season before her owner moved her back to France where she started her career. Altogether she's won four and been placed in five from ten starts in France so it's interesting that De Bromhead went to €350k to buy her back in July 2024. She won first time up for him at leopardstown at Christmas in a Grade 3 beating Kala Conti and Jetara. She finished down the field in two subsequent Grade 1's before her Summer break. Dan Skelton always felt that Be Aware would be better for jumping a fence. A keen racer over hurdles he was fitted with a hood for his chase debut at Stratford sixteen days ago and settled much better to win comfortably by 4l in the race the trainer won with L'Eau de Sud last year. Burdett Road makes his chase debut here and having run unsuccessfully in the Group races on the flat over the summer he finished 1l behind Rubaud in a Listed hurdle at Kempton. We know he acts around Cheltenham and he won the Greatwood hurdle here last year beating Be Aware half a length giving him 3lb. Stencil travels over from France having disappointed in the Fred Winter at the Festival following a good run when finishing 10l behind East India Dock in January. He's won two of his three starts in France but with with only five career starts he's hard to weigh up as he ran to freely in the Fred Winter and apparently lost a shoe. Brentford Hope has been slipping down the rankings since beaten just over 1l by Rubaud in the Elite Hurdle a year ago. He's been off since April and makes his chase debut here. He wears a tongue tie as usual but the cheek pieces he's worn on his last three starts are left off. Breaking Cover has plenty of experience and has won three of his five chase starts and been second in the other two. On his last start he went down by a length to Blueking d'Oroux at Wincanton a week ago. That was a hard race and he's been a big drifter here. Both Henry De Bromhead and Dan Skelton are in great form and it's hard to separate the two horses but with the 7lb Mare's Allowance slight preference is for July Flower.

Selection; July Flower

Best Alternative; Be Aware

Navan (Going; Soft To Heavy) 

Lismullen Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m4f50y

With County Meath under a Yellow Rainfall warning the situation regarding the Going is been monitored. If racing goes ahead it could be attritional for the horses. The Yellow Clay loves it around Navan and won twice  here last season before winning the Grade 1 Lawlors at Naas. He was then beaten three parts of a length by The New lion in the Turners where he had Final Demand almost 5l behind him in third. He looked a tired horse when falling at the last at Punchestown in the race won by Final Demand and he can be forgiven that run as he had a busy season for a Novice. Jetara has had three spins on the Flat since resuming after a four month break in September. She finished last season with a third in the Aintree Stayers beaten just over 5l by Hiddenvalley Lake and at Punchestown beaten almost 7l by Teahupoo and she won't mind if it turns up Heavy. Maxxum won a couple of Grade 2's last Spring either side of pulling up at Cheltenham in the Coral Cup and after his win in April the trainer said that he was probably beter in a smalL field. Mozzies Sister has been busy and consistent over the last thirteen months running ten times, winning twice and only once out of the first three when finishing 4th on a Grade 3 at limerick She was beaten over 5l by The Yellow Clay in the Grade 2 Navan Hurdle last December but has race fitness here having won a Mare's Hurdle at Wexford three weeks ago. Colonel Mustard was in receipt of 5lb when beaten almost 3l by Maxxum at Fairyhouse last Easter and finally got his hesd in front for the first time in twenty one starts when winning at Sligo last Month. He's ultra consistent winning twice and been placed fourteen times in twenty two hurdle starts. Grandero Bello looks outclassed. The Yellow Clay had a winning run at Down Royal before his success here last year and I have a slight concern that in testing conditions against race fir horses he might be vulnerable. His curent odds of 8/13 don't appeal to me and a better option bight be Jetara for whom Jesse Harrington has booked Paul Townend. Unfortunately with only six runners there's no full each way betting so a small wager recommended.

Selection; Jetara

Best Alternative; Maxxum

Fortria Chase (Grade 2) 2m

Seven go to post for this and Marine Nationale heads the market. It took him to his fourth start, the Champion Chase,  to win last season as everything was geared to Cheltenham and he duly obliged, beating Jonbon 18l after El Fabiolo fell while disputing the lead two out and Favourite was found to have an abrasion inside his left fore fetlock. Nontheless it was a comfortable win. He then went to Punchestown and won the Irish equivalent beating Captain Guinness by a very comfortable 7l. The latter re-oppses here on 8lb better terms and has won around here on Soft to Heavy. He did pull up in this last year but was found to be clinically abnormal post race. Lat year's winner Found A Fifty had a pipe opener at Down Royal two weeks ago when finishing over 6l behind Envoi Allen. Following two poor runs after winning here last year he finished the season winning the Grade 2 in Faeryhouse at Easter on Soft To Heavy. Having been beaten in two open races last season Dinoblue won the next three in Mares company including at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals. She has never run at Navan previously and appears to go on any ground. Hercule Du Seuil is the second McManus/Mullins runner and the mount of Paul Townend while Mark Walsh rides Dinoblue for his boss. Hercule Du Seuil finsihed off last season winning a Grade 3 at Killarney beating stablemate Blood Destiny, his first win in five starts since October 2023. Solness was beaten a neck by Found A Fifty last year then was beaten 25l by Jonbon before two good wins at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival and the DRF before finishing behind Marine Nationale at Cheltenham and Punchestown. Touch Me Not won the Craddockstown last November beating Farren Glory and Nurburgring. He then had two good runner up finishes behind L'Eau du Sud and Majborough before disappointing at Cheltenham and Aintree and looks stable's second choice. Given Marine Nationale's profile last season it's not beyond reason that he might follow a similar path. Gordon Elliott loves nothing better than winning here at his local track and Found A Fifty with the benefit of that Down Roayal run might be value over a course and on ground he likes.

Selection; Found A Fifty (7/1 Paddy Power, Bet 365)

Best Alternative; Captain Guinness

November 14th

Cheltenham (Going; Good To Soft) Races on the Old Course

Shloer Chase (Grade 2) 1m7f199y

Jonbon faces six rivals here as he bids to win this for the third straight year. One of the most consistent horses he has never finished outside the first two in twenty three starts winning eighteen. He has 11lb and more in hand with his rivals on ratings and the early betting reflects that as hettRoad and  is odds on to collect. He's had a wind op over the summer but has won on every seasonal debut. He was beaten twice last season, first in the Champion Chase where he had a slow start and then a big mistake at the fifth last and then at Sandown where he may have been over the top. L'Eau du Sud won his first four chase starts last season before going down to Jango Baie and Kalif Du Berlais at Cheltenham and Aintree. He beat Rubaud in a Grade 1 at Warwick and won at this meeting last year in the Grade 2 Arkle but there are those who think it was a weak Novice division last season. This race will tell connections where they stand and as he is only a 7yo he should have more improvement in him. Liberty Hunter was 4l down and still in touch when falling three out in the Queen Mother. He's had consistent form over fences when he's completed but has fallen twice. Edwardstone is now 11yo. He was beaten just over 2l by Jonbon in this last year but his form tailed off after Christmas, going down by over 10l to Jonbon at Ascot and then two big defeats at Newbury and Sandown. Matata was well beaten behind Calico on seasonal debut last month which was  surprising as he had been pretty consistent over fences last season winning twice and been placed four times, all his starts, including runner up to Calico in the same seasonal debut race last year. He's dropped from a high of 163 last February to a mark if 157 here. Anthony Honeyball has his horses in fine form and is represented by Brookie here. He was almost 8l behind Calico in the aforementioned Cheltenham race on seasonal debut and his two wins from seven chase starts have come in handicaps. Haddex Des Obeaux hasn't run since December 2023 and is best watched. On his last start he was beaten just under 5l by Jonbon in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek. It's hard to oppose Jonbon while the Skelton's are in great form at the minute having had eleven winners this past week and L'Eau du Sud could well prove a danger. 

Selection; Jonbon

Best Alternative; L'Eau du Sud

The Hyde Novices Hurdle Grade 2) 2mff (Old Course)

There appears to have been a good crop of Bumper Horses around last year and Heads Up was one of them. Onn his first two Bumper starts he was beaten 10l by Windbeneathmywings and just under 3l by Colcannon, both of whom look useful. He won next time out from numerous subsequent winners before finishing second, over 4l, behind Kalypso'chance. He then put up probably his best performance when after an eighty seven day break he finished over 1l back in second to Bambino Fever in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He reappeared at Listowel in September to run out a very comfortable winner having led from the first Hurdle and despite guessing at the last cruised home. No Drama This End won his Point by a wide margin on Soft ground and then was very impressive when quickening well on the Soft ground to beat Keop Des Bordes by over 3l under a hands and heels ride. He was ninth in the Champion Bumper on Good To Soft and it's interesting that Paul Nicholls starts him off over Hurdles here and he's a horse that Harry Cobden thinks a lot of. Welonlyhavedeone won his point at the second attempt having falling on his first. He finshed down the field in his first Bumper, on Good ground at Galway but was a 12l winner next time on same course early last month on his hurdles debut. He returned there nineteen days ago and looked to be going slightly the best going to the last but stepped at it and came down gifting the race to the highly regarded I'll Sort That. Dan Skelton runs two here and Harry Skelton has chosen Great Fleet. Winner of one of his two Bumpers he's run twice over Hurdles this Season' The first was at Kelso  where he raced in touch with the leaders but weakened approaching the last to finish over 7l back in third. That was over 2m5f and he next stepped up to 3m for a Novice around this course. He raced keenly but was still going easily before the last but weakened on the run in to finish second 3l behind Conman John who had also beaten him at Kelso. Moneygarrow won a Point and a Bumper but was beaten 14l into second by the very impressive Windbeneathmywings at Ascot last December. He's had one run over hurdles where he was an 11l third to Sticktotheplan at Chepstow in the Grade 2 Persian War last month. Fountains Blenhein won his first Bumper bu having run to freely weakened and was eased to finish a long way last in the Grade 2 Aintree Bumper. He reappeared at Fontwell last month and helped by his two main rivals coming to grief in the carnage at the first he ran out a 34l winner. The Honeyball stable is in good form but tis is a big step up. Henry De Bromhead and Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe are in terrific form and send over King's Bucks who comes here instead of a Maiden Hurdle at Navan where he holds an entry. He won his Point, was second in his Bumper and a 6l fourth on his Hurdling debut over 2m. His trainer feels he needs this step up in trip. Destination Dubai won his first two Bumpers and then was second beaten almost 3l in the Grade 2 Aintree race to Green Splendour. He the won his Maiden Hurdle by11l at Hexham in May and was put away until reappearing at Wetherby last Month and winning a four horse race over an extended 2m3f. This is a big step up for him. The Twiston-Davies team have Intosomethinggood. A three race maiden in Bumpers he's won three and been placed twice in seven starts over hurdles but despite that Sam Twiston-Davies rides the Honeyball horse. Market moves should be noted. The Russell-Scudamore team rely on Imperfectlyperfect from their three entries for this. He won his Bumper at the second attempt and then reappeared at Hexham last month to win his Maiden Hurdle. Connections say that he will improve for the run and that there's plenty more to come. It's interesting that a lot of trainers are running horses here and plenty of winners should come from it. However Heads Up whose am is out of a half sister to Denman and comes from a yard who do well here looked impressive at Listowel to add to his good Bumper form and he gets the nod. You could take your pick who might pose the biggest challenge but it might be significant that King's Buck makes the journey form Ireland and he might be an Each Way alternative. 

Selection; Heads Up

Best Alternative; King's Buck (Each Way)

November 8th

Wincanton (Going; Good To Firm)

Rising Stars Novice Chase (Grade 2) 2m4f

The Going on the Chase course is Good To Firm, Good in places and the course are watering with light showers forecast. Hopefully there will be no scratchings as this race has attracted just five runners and a short priced favourite in Blueking d'Oroux. He made his Chase debit on his seasonal reappearance at Neton Abbot last month when his jumping was a bit rusty and he was up against an experienced handicapper. He should come on for that run and the word is he's improved physically over the Summer and the stable have high hopes for him. Henry De Bromhead sends over Cobra Queen although Jockey in form , Darragh O'Keeffe, stays at home for Gowran Park. She's an improving Mare who has won her last two starts going up 18lb in the ratings and gets a 7lb allowance here. She comes here fit after a Summer campaign. Breaking Cover is three from four over fences this season and runner up in the other going up 15lb in the ratings. This is a big step up for him but with over £8k for third and over £4k for fourth it's probably worth a chance. Rightsotom was beaten 33l on his only start over fences and wears first time cheek pieces to the regular Tongue Tie. Settle Down Jill was beaten 10l on her only start over fences and is owned by the Sullivan Group and Dan Skelton. They're probably hoping for a place and a bit of Black type. She finished a 6l fourth in a Listed Cheltenham Mare's Bumper a year ago from which plenty of winners came out. However it's hard to see past Blueking d'Oroux who is short enough at 8/11.

Selection; Blueking d'Oroux

Best Alternative; Cobra Queen

Elite Hurdle (Grade 2) 1m7f50y

The going on the Hurdle course is Good, Good To Firm in places.

Rubaud has won the last two runnings of this. Having gone chasing after last year's win he has followed his previous year's preparations by winning the Listed Hurdle in Kempton last month beating Burdett Road by 1l. Even with his penalty he has 14lb in and more in hand on his three rivals. Hamlet's Night is a 4yo who has had just four starts over Hurdles albeit he's won two and been runner up in the others. This is a huge step up. Tax For max was rated 137 over Hurdles in the Spring of 2023. However he was off the track for two years up until last September and has been beaten in two runs since. Frere d'Armes was running in Hunter Chases last season and in three Handicap chases and a Handicap hurdle this season he's been beaten by large double digit distances. Harry Skelton, stable Jockey going to Aintree is probably a hint. Rubaud is very short for most people but I can't oppose him.

Selection; Rubaud

Best Alternative; Hamlet's Night

November 7th

Exeter (Ground; Good) 

Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase; (Grade 2) 2m1f109y

Six go to post for this. Paul Nicholls has won four of the last ten runnings of this while the Tizzards also have a good record with Joe winning the last two and Colin the 2021 race. Last year's winner JPR One reappears here. He beat Djelo three parts of a length only having to be pushed out. He failed to win in four subsequent starts. He races off a mark 4lb higher than last year but he does run well fresh. Kalif Du Berlais is still only a 5yo so he should improve plenty from last year when he made his Chase debut. He fell first time out, won his next two but then failed to stay the 2m4f on heavy ground at Sandown in February. Given a break he reappeared at Aintree in the Grade 1 Maghull and putting in a terrific round of jumping to win by over 3l and while his two main rivals may have disappointed you can't ignore how much Nicholls and Harry Cobden think of this horse. The Venetia Williams stable is only getting going now and has had just four runners so far but Djelo showed it could be in form winning the Charlie Hall last Saturday. Her runner Martador has had plenty of experience chasing having run over the larger obstacles sixteen times winning five and being placed in seven. Those five wins came consecutively between March and November last year. However the Handicapper may have caught up on him and he was well beaten in his subsequent five starts. According to his trainer Jane Williams, Saint Segal is much more confident this season having appeared to mature more. He won on Seasonal debut beating Il Ridoto by almost 5l in a Handicap Chase at Chepstow last month. He is the likely pace in the race and will have no problem with the trip and the quicker the ground the better. Thistle Ask and Here Comes Georgie are both 9lb out of the Handicap and will be hoping for crumbs should something befall the others. Joe Tizzard says the best time to catch JPR One is first time out but Paul Nicholls claims that Kalif Du Berlais is right up there with the best 2m chasers he has trained which is some accolade. Kalif Du Berlais for me.

Selection; Kalif Du Berlais

Best Alternative; JPR One

November 6th

Clonmel (Going; Yielding To Soft)

Clonmel Oil Chase (Grade 2) 2m4f

A small field of four and Willie Mullins, who has won seven of the last ten runnings including the last three, has two of the field, Il Etait Temps heads the market. After winning atthe Punchestown Festival in 2024 he wasn't seen again until last April when he beat Jonbon by over 5l over 2m. He won the Grade 1 Manifesto at Aintree over 2m4f so this trip shouldn't be a problem and he wears a tongue tie and a hood. He has to concede 9lb to his two main rivals which could make it interesting but at 7yo he should still be improving. One of those rival's is his stablemate Gentleman De Mee. He seems to reserve his best form for the Spring and he was beaten by big double digit distances in three starts last season and then went down by almost 6l to Senecia on Heavy over 2m4f in the Grade 2 Webster Cup at Navan in March. He then came out and won the Topham Chase off a mark of 155 having been as high as 165 a year before. The 2024 Irish National winner, Intense Raffles starts his season off here having pulled up in Aintree. It's a trip short of his optimum so he's probably best watched. Senecia, despite winning the Webster Cup where she beat El Fabiolo, Filo Dor, Gentleman De Mee and Grangeclare West, is really inconsistent winning just two of sixteen starts over fences and been placed four times. In the Fortria Chase at Navan last November he was beaten just over 1l into third by Found a Fifty and Solness on Yielding so he is capable of a big run but comes with a health warning. Although his price is short enough, 1/2, for a lot of people it's hard to oppose Il Etait Temps given the profile of his opponents although if it came up heavy a very small wager on Senecia might be worthwhile.

Selection; Il Etait Temps

Best Alternative; Senecia (if going changes to Heavy) half point win.

November 1st

Down Royal (Going; Good To yielding)

Champion Chase (Grade 1) 3m

The course had 9mm rain overnight but with strong winds the Going remains Good To Yielding on the Hurdles Course and Good, Good To yielding in places on the Chase course.

Seven have been declared for this, the first Grade 1 of the season and the market is headed by Envoi Allen who has won two of the last three runnings and was a neck second in the other. In all he's won five of his six starts on the course and runner up in the other, making him a bit of a course specialist. It also tells us that he runs well first time out. Ground will not inconvenience him and his Jockey, Darragh O'Keeffe is quite bullish about his chances. However he is an 11yo which is a slight negative. Hopefully enough rain will get into the ground to let Spillane's Tower take his chance. He has won on yielding when beating Monty's Star at Punchestown last year but if it stays good he must be a doubtful starter. He disappointed on good ground in the King George last December and was no match for Gallopin Des Champs at Punchestown on Yielding. On his only other start last season he was a half length second to Fact To File in the John Durkan. Found A Fifty got last season off to a great start winning the Grade 2 at this meeting and following up in the Grade 2 Fortria at Navan a fortnight later. However he had two disappointing runs at Leopardstown and Cheltenham before winning the Grade 2 at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting. He steps up to 3m for the first time and Jack Kennedy has opted for him over stablemates Stellar Story and Western Fold. The latter, who won the Galway Plate, completed the four timer in the PWC Chase (Grade 2) at Gowran where he readily accounted for Affordale Fury by just over 4l on Yielding To Soft ground. Affordale Fury was having his first start since February so can be expected to come on for that run. He's obviously had his problems as that February run was his first since November 2023. Back in the Spring of that year he went down by 1l to Stay Away Fay in the Albert Bartlet at Cheltenham and was a 10l second to Gaelic  Warrior at Punchestown. Stellar Story won the Albert Bartlett in 2024 and beat Search For Glory in the Florida Pearl on Chase debut last November on Soft. I think ground will be key for him and the more rain the better. There are a few if and buts about some of these but Found A Fifty is now coming into his prime and is worth a shout here at 11/2 with Boyle Sports amongst others.

Selection; Found A Fifty

Best Alternative; Spillane's Tower 

Kildress Plumbing Chase (Grade 2) 2m3f120y

Gordon Elliott has won four of tha last five runnings of this including the last three and has three of the six runners here with his Firefox heading the market at 5/6. He won comfortably on chase debut at this meeting last year but in five subsequent starts he failed to win albeit coming up against some top class performers. In his next sgtart after Down Royal he was beaten half a length in third place in the Grade 1 Drinmore by Croke Park and Heart Wood with Gorgeous Tom, who seemed to have been left behind after the second last, a further half length behind in fourth in a driving finish. He was a well beaten favourite behind Caldwell Potter at Cheltenham before going down by over 4l to Spindleberry in Grade 1 Gold Cup at Fairyhouse at Easter. Gorgeous Tom had won his Novice in a Grade 3 at Cork twelve months ago but in two subsequent starts after Fairyhouse he was beaten over 8l by Lecky Watson at Cheltenhma and by 32l by Champ Kiely at Punchestown both over the extended 3m. I'm not surprised they went up to 3m after the 2m4f of the Drinmore as the way he finished suggested  he had been caught for speed two fences out but he finished best of all. It's interesting that he starts off here over the intermediate trip. Speculatrix gets the Mares allowance and comes here race fit having been campaigned throughout the summer. She's won two of her four starts over fences, the lates in a Listed Novice at Chepstow and connections will be hoping for a bit of Black Type for her as her rating of 127 leaves her a fair bit behind some of the others but conditions mean . Her Stablemate Croke Park on the evidence of the early market is third choice of the Elliott team although that maybe is not surprising given that this race is short of his best trip. He had entries for the Charlie Hall and the Champion Chase today but Gordon probably feels that a hard race at this stage is not what he wants. Paddock inspection will tell us a lot and I'll be there making notes. His final two starts were disappointing having completed a hat trick at Christmas and beaten 5l by Ballyburn at the DRF and he has to concede 7lb to Gorgeous Tom and 10lb to Firefox. The rest look outclassed. Firefox is running over his optimum trip around a course where he is two from two while his main market rival has to concede 3lb to him.  

Selection; Firefox

Best Alternative; Gorgeous Tom

Wetherby (Going; Good )

The West Yorkshire Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m

Just five go to post and Strong Leader shades favouritism from Potters Charm. Strong Leader had just the four starts last season winning the Long Distance at Newbury on debut before trailing in 75l behind the winner in the Long Walk at Ascot after which he had a wind op. He then went to Cheltenham in January where he was 8l behind Gowel Road after which he was off until Aintree where he had to be ridden a bit more prominently than he likes because of the slow pace and finished second almost 3l behind the winner Hiddenvalley Lake. He's the highest rated horse in the race but has to concede between 3lb and 8lb to his rivals. Potters Charm ran up a sequence of five wins between March and December last year four of them over hurdles including the Grade 1 Formby at Aintree. The latter was over 2m but his other hurdle wins were at 2m4f and 2m5f.  He was beaten in his next two starts to finish the season. He's had a wind op and steps up to this trip for the first time under rules. Take No Chances won the Listed Mares at this meeting last season following a placed effort in a valuable handicap at Chepstow three weeks previously She follows a similar route here having run in the same Chepstow race. After her win here she went down by 2l to Wodhooh at Cheltenham then beat Kargese by three parts of a length at Ascot before being no match for Lossiemouth on her next two starts. She steps up to 3m for the first time. Winter Fog has been a good servant to connection winning six and placed nine times in thirty one starts. However he is now 11yo. He should be race fit having run a few times this summer the latest in the Cesarewitch earlier this month where he finished 11l behind the winner having won a ladies Maiden around Tramore. Doddiethegreat wears a tongue tie and cheek pieces. The latter were applied after he pulled up in two starts last Decmeber and January and they appear to have made a difference as he went on to beat Jeriko Du Reponet in the Pertemps final at Cheltenham and then those places were reversed at Punchestown. Now a 9yo he'll be staying over hurdles as he didn't take to fences. All prize money he earns goes to the Doddie Weir Foundation so nobody would be grudge him a win. Strong Leader likes to come off a strong gallop and while a few of these like to race prominently I wonder if anyone is prepared to make it. Nonetheless Strong Leader is the best horse in the race and might just have enough to win it.  

Selection; Strong Leader

Best Alternative; Take No Chances  

Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2)

Six go to post for this including last year's winner The Real Whacker. However his form dipped aftrr that and he was well beaten in three subsequent runs. He reappeared at in a handicap hurdle at Perth last month and running of a mark 10lb lower than his chase mark he finished over 3l back in second to a well treated winner. He wears first time cheek pieces. Protektorat ended last season  finishing 3l back in second to Jonbon over 2m4f in the Melling at Aintree. He had finished a long way behind Fact To File in the Ryanair at Cheltenham having put Djelo to the Sword over 2m6f at Windsor with the latter 23l back in second. That was a turnaround as the placings had been reversed the time previously over 2m4f in the Peterborough at Huntingdon. He's a consistent sort and in his last eleven starts he's won twice , placed six times and only been out of the first four once. He wears a tongue tie having had wind ops in the past. Shark Hanlon sends over Hewick who warmed up for this winning a three runner Hurdle race at Thurles last month. He couldn't handle the ground in Auteuil last May but a repeat of his run in the Champion Chase at Down Royal on this day last year where he went down by half a length to Envoi Allen will put him in the shake up. After been trounced by Protektorat at Windsor Djelo beat Hitman in the Denman at Newbury but his nexttwo runs were abysmal beaten 65l and 37l at Cheltenham and Aintree. There is a theory that he's an Autumn horse and prior to winning the Peterborough last December he was a close second to JPR One in the Haldon Cup. Indeed six of his seven wins have come before the end of December. Pic D'orhy won on seasonal debut at the end of November last year and wasn't seen again until February when winning the Grade 1 Ascot Chase from Corbetts Cross by 10l. On his next and final start he pulled up behind Gaelic Warrior at Sandown in April. He's very consistent but the furthest he's ever run before was 2m5f. GA Law was beaten 16l by Djelo in the Denman and Pulled Up on his next two starts before running a good race to finish third, beaten just over 5l, to Gaelic Warrior at Sandown last April. Last year's winner The Real Whacker has to concede weight to a number of his rivals and with the ground staying Good Hewick might be worth a bet.

Selection; Hewick

Best Alternative; Protektorat

October 26th

Aintree (Going; Good)

Old Roan Handicap Chase (Grade 2) 2m3f200y Mildmay Course

Seven go to post and it's made a tricky one to judge by virtue of the fact that none of them have had a run since April. Imperial Saint heads the market and looking at his form you can see why. He started last season here at Aintree off a mark of 124 and finished the season with a mark of 144. In that time he won three races, all at Aintree and finished with a runner up spot on the same course. Boombawn won his Novice chase in May last year and after  four more unsuccessful efforts won the Grade 2 Rising Stars at Wincanton in November. He was beaten overv  3l by Impaire Et Passe at the Grand National Meeting last April. He won over hurdles here the race before his Novice win so he acts on the course but has to concede 9lb to the favourite. Master Chewy has won three and been placed in four from thirteen runs over fences He has winning form around here at thsi meeting in 2023 and in April last year he was beaten a head by Found A Fifty. He beat Liberty Hunter in Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury last February but followed that getting well beaten by Fact To File (22l) in the Grade 1 Ryanair at Cheltenham and by Il Etait Temps (25l) in the Grade 1 Celebration at Sandown last April. Ahoy Senor was just over 2l back in third behind Minella Drama here last year but it went downhill after that Pulling Up in his next two starts after which he had a wind op in January. He reappeared in the Cheltenham Gold Cup where he fell and then here at Aintree in The Bowl in April he weakened from three out to finish 20l behind the winner. He has good form around the track and this trip should suit him better but he has to concede weight all around. Hitman was second in last year's race which has been the story of his career winning 3 and placing second ten times and four third places in 25 chase starts. He runs with cheek pieces and a tongue tie having had four wind ops.  Last year's winner Minella Drama is another who wears a tongue tie. He's pulled up in three of his last six starts including two of his three starts after winning here. He was beaten 35l in the other. He had a wind op two years ago and has had just seven starts since then so comes with a bit of a health warning for me. Ryan Potter won this two years ago with Jetoile at 25/1. He runs Knockanore here who has gone up 34lb in the handicap since winning by 13l in December over 2m4f and again winning three starts laster over an extende 3m1f at Newcastle by 16l. He's had two runs down the field since but the handicapper has shown him no mercy rising him 15lb after the penultimate run. He runs here off 142. Without seeing them in the flesh it's difficult to know where these are at in terms of fitness but I'll go with Imperial Saint who's trainer the Hobbs/White team seem to have their horse hitting a bit of form now.

Selection; Imperial Saint

Best Alternative; Boombawn

October 24th

Cheltenham (Going; Good To Soft)

The Sharp Novices Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m87y

A tricky contest with twelve going to post and going could play a par in this depending on how much rain comes in the next twenty four hours. Connections gave £180k for Un Sens La Vie after he won his point at the second time of asking. He went on to win a Bumper and Maiden hurdle, his only other starts, comfortably both at Market Rasen. The hurdle win came ten days ago although he should be ok with the turn around as it was no more than a strong piece of work for him. Ground Conditions should be ok. Fortune De Mer wears a first time Hood having raced too keenly at Uttoxeter on his seasonal debut nineteen days ago. He was going best of all two out but found little going to the last finishing almost 5l back in third. That was his first run over hurdles having won one of his four Bumper starts and he should improve for it and if the hood helps him settle he should be a player. Jack Hyde has plenty of experience over hurdles winning three of his seven starts. He also won three of his four Bumpers. He won at odds of 1/7 on seasonal debut having raced keenly over the 2m1f and then went to Chepstow for the 2m4f Persian War where he again raced keenly and was going backwards from two hurdles out to eventually finish a 13l fifth. Interesting that he's dropped back in trip here. Olly Murphy is in scintillating form and has had eight winners from his last nine runners as I write. He's operating at a 52% strike rate for the last fourteen days and runs Sir Galahad here. A six race Maiden on the Flat for John Ferguson he won his first four for Murphy and then a few jumping errors on his next two probably didn't help. He was given some time off after the first of those two runs and resumed in twenty seven days ago. He wears cheek pieces here which he wore for his final three flat starts but didn't wear them over hurdles and they might help his jumping. Charles Byrnes has Run For Mahler. Having won once and been placed twoce in four Bumpers this Mare made her Hurdles debut at Listowel last month and was no match for the useful Carrignoornaspruce going deown by over 5l to finish second. The winner had won the Grade 3 Bumper at Punchestown last April and had been a 13l thrd to Bambino Fever at the DRF so the form is fairly useful. Run For Mahler then went to Thurles eight days ago and beat Qualimita a neck although it looked to me that she had a bit in hand at the finish. Market moves should be noted. John Mc Connell is no starnger to winning at this meeting and is represented by Jackson Lamb who has won his last two at Bellewstown and Kelso. He won the fist of those quite comfortably but had to work hard at Kelso to justify his odds on favouritism, getting home by a neck from Jentobello.. The Last Cloud has won his last three, all at Perth and all as Favourite. This is a big step up. Tony Mullins sends over Paul's Dream who has won two and palced second three times in twelve Hurdle starts. Two of those wins and two places have come in his last four starts. Doctor Blue has his first start over hurdles having won one of three Bumper starts and is worth keeping an eye given the Sam Thomas / Doug Walters connection. Mr Loughlan has won his last two but takes an big step in Grade here. Un Sens A La Vie looked impressive the last day and won't be inconvenience by ease in the going while I expect a better run from both Fortune De Mer and Jack Hyde and while there may be a lurker among the rest I'll go with Un Sens A La Vie

Selection; Un Sens A La Vie

Best Alternative; Fortune De Mer

October 10th

Chepstow (Going; Good To Soft)

Persian War Novices Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m3f100y
Eight runners and a tricky contest to pick over and one very interesting hurdling deburant. Queensbury Boy is a clear favourite in the early betting. He won a Point, a Bumper and two hurdle races in five starts before a disappointing run in the Grade 1 Novice hurdle over 2m4f last May at the Punchestsown Festival. He’s been rateD 131 by the handicapper and with his Owner, David Maxwell, announcing his intention to sell all his horses following his retirement from race riding connections will surely have him primed for a big run. Sticktotheplan has to concede 5lb to the favourite following his win in the listed Hurdle at the Galway festival after which he changed Hans and is now with Olly Murphy who has a 32% stroke rate as I write with jockey Sean Bowen even better at 40%. Former owner Cormac Farrell had a high opinion of the horse and he has two wins and two seconds in his four hurdle starts. He took the braveman’s route in Galway that day, held up in rear and crept into it up the rail. He didn’t get a clear run after the last but when the gap appeared he showed a nice turn of foot going away. That was over 2m but he did win his maiden over 2m4f. He wears a first time hood. Moneygarrow has his first run over hurdles. He won his Point and his first Bumper before finishing a 14l runner up to the exceptional Windbeneathmywings at Ascot. On his only other start he was unable to concede 17lb to Our Boy Stan who might be a useful type for Ben Pauling this winter. Fergal O’Brien has won this twice in the last ten years and runs Jack Hyde here. He’s got plenty of experience over hurdles having won three of his six starts, all on Good to Soft. He’s also battle hardened for racing having run in two points and three Bumpers. He has a bit to find on ratings but won on his seasonal debut four weeks ago at Newton Abbot. Gordon Elliott sends over Kainsbourg who won a Listowel two weeks ago. He’s another with plenty of experience, winning twice and being placed 3 times in eight starts over hurdles and winning his two starts in French Bumpers. It’s interesting that James Bowen gets the leg up with the stable jockeys staying at home for Downpatrick. Krak makes his debut for the Twiston-Davies team but still in the Double green silks of Munir and Suede. He was sent to the Crawfords in Antrim for his early education and was third in his first three hurdle starts before winning a handicap at Cork last April. He’s been off since and it’s interesting that he starts off in a Grade 2. One that really interests me is Kilwaughter. He won his only start in Ireland beating subsequent winner The Flying King by three parts of a length with another subsequent winner, Strong Link 15l back in third. The runner up went on to be beaten a neck by I’ll Sort That who then won his Maiden Hurdle by 13l in Listowel two weeks ago and who is expected to be good enough for graded company. Kilwaughter then went to Punchestown where he took a keen hold and could find no extra from a furlong down eventually finishing third. He was bought for £120k after his win in Ireland and his trainer Philip Hobbs won this with the great Thyne Hill so it’s interesting to see him make his hurdles debut here and coincidently Thyne Hill won  this on his hurdles debut. The field is completed by Lavarie who has won his last four starts but still has plenty to find on ratings. Nonetheless his trainer, James Owen, is in great form on the Flat and Jumps so, as always, market moves should be noted. It's a really difficult race to weight up so early in the season but I'm going to take a chance on Kilwaughter with a little each way at 16/1.

Selection; Kilwaughter half point each way 16/1 Bet365

Best Alternative; Moneygarrow

Oct 4th 

Gowran Park 

PWC Champion Chase

Five runners go to post for our first Grade 2 of the season. As I was waiting for my lap top to fire up the favourites have flipped flopped with Galway Plate winner, Western Fold, now favourite from Blood Destiny. That was a very good performance in the Plate carrying 11st 10lb ( Handicap Mark 148)and it completed a hat trick for the winner who had won at Tipperary in May off a mark of 134 and won at Ballinrobe off 138. He turns up here off 157 which is 5lb higher than his main rival Blod Destiny who also has to concede 3lb to Western Fold. Blood Destiny is a consistent sort winning three of his ten starts over fences and being placed in six. He has a win over Spillane's Tower in a Novice Chase (G3) at Navan in March last year but the latter turned the tables in the Grade 1 at Fairyhouse next time. He has had a break since finishing 4l back in second to Zanahiyr at the Galway Festival where he hung right up the straight. Affordale Fury looked like making up into a good horse with good placed form in Grade 1 Hurdles and won on Chase debut at Galway in October 2023. However he was very disappointing next time at Navan the following month and wasn't seen again until last February when he appeared to have the winning of a Chase at Fairyhouse only to blunder and lose momentum at the last fence. This is his first run since then. His jumping has let him down more than once and while he obviously goes well fresh it's probably best to keep a watching brief. Donnchadh Doyle is better known as a Point to Point handler and owns Monbeg Park. Formerly trained by the Owner's brother Sean he was transferred to young trainer Jack Foley over the summer in a bid to re-kindle  his ability following a couple of disappointing runs. However on his debut he pulled up in the Kerry National at Listowel last week and I think the drop back in trip will help although I think he might find a few to good. Rebel Gold is now a 12yo. However he put up a good performance on his last start which was in the Grade 2 at Fairyhouse back in April when he finished fourth 1l behind Blood Destiny who was third on Soft/heavy Ground and they meet on similar terms here. The more I look at it the more I think it's a bit of a banana skin with couple on redemption missions and whether the Handicapper has got his ratings right. One to keep an eye on in the market is Affordale Fury but if the ratings are correct Western Fold has a big swing in his favour at these weights so he gets a tentative selection.

Selection; Western Fold

Best Altrenative; Blood Destiny