Month: October 2008

The jumps season is really getting going now and on the whole my selections have been paying their way. I was quite keen on a couple of Malcolm Jefferson’s runners on Friday at Carlisle. I have kept Tot O’Whiskey on my list to follow for a second season and he looked the likely winner at one point. He got a bit outpaced but finished well. His jumping was fine and hopefully he will be winning soon. Cadoudalas was well supported for the three mile handicap chase but didn’t seem to see out the trip. He would be interesting over two and a half miles as he also jumped well.

There was some tremendous action over the jumps at Bangor, Chepstow and Hexham on Saturday. My best bet of the day was Striking Article at Hexham and he duly obliged. This horse has always been well thought of by his trainer but suffered a foot problem last season. He looks a tremendous prospect for fences and should certainly add to his winning tally.

Emma Lavelle had a double at Chepstow starting with one of my winning tips Seymar Lad who was backed in from 7s to 4s. He made most of the running and scampered clear of his field after the last to maintain his 100% record over fences. Lavelle’s other winner was Crack Away Jack who made an encouraging start to the season seeing off the challenge of my tip for the race, Squadron. He has been well supported for the Champion Hurdle but will need to improve further to take a hand in the big race come March.

Another successful trainer was Donald McCain. He sent out Khachaturian for a comfortable win at 11/10 while What a Buzz came home at odds of 5/1.

I have been quite pleased with my 2 year old selections lately. I suggested Mrs Kipling and Archie Rice for the 19 runner Cornwallis Stakes and they finished 3^rd (12/1) and 6^th (25/1) respectively. An exceedingly good run from Mrs Kipling! Elsewhere Pevensey was unlucky to get caught close home in the mile and a half handicap at Ascot, where he always seems to run well.

I was pleased to see The Fifth Member notch his 3^rd win of the season this afternoon at Goodwood. He is a thoroughly genuine horse who really gives his all in races. Pandorama was another winning tip, this time in the bumper at Naas.

It is a fairly low key days racing tomorrow with 3 flat meetings. I quite fancied Luminous Gold before his run a couple of weeks ago at Windsor but he could only finish 6^th. He won first time out at Folkestone off a mark of 68 and I thought he might be able to defy the handicapper and win again. He runs off a rating of 73 in the 3.10 at Kempton tomorrow and has an apprentice taking a further 3 pounds off. He is also running over 7 furlongs for the first time.

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the 4.40. The top weight Birkside has 3 wins to his credit this season and has won twice at Kempton in his career. He will have to defy a career high mark if he is to be successful tomorrow. The other runners from our list in this race are William Blake and Inspector Clouseau.

Dvinski seems to like it at Kempton as he has won there 4 times. He runs in the 5.10 where he is on the same rating as his last victory there.

In the 3.30 at Windsor Majestic Lady may be able to get off the mark. She was a little unlucky on her last run, while Kuanyao, a half brother to Desert Opal is also of interest. Formation represents my list to follow in the 4.30.

Michael Dods has two runners in the Wolverhampton 3.50. Burning Incense hasn’t won for a fair old while but is well handicapped on his best form. Unfortunately he is drawn in the car park! Kiwi Bay is the other runner from my list to follow but he is not drawn too well either and his recent form does not give any real cause for optimism. The maiden Game Park represents my list to follow in the 4.50.

Lastly, I see that Triskaidekaphobia (which means fear of the number 13) is drawn in stall 13 in the Wolverhampton 4.20.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau (see links)

See you tomorrow.

The weekend racing spans just about all corners of the UK as well as Ireland so tonight’s preview of Saturday and Sunday promises to be a bumper editions. Hopefully I will be able to point you in the direction of some winners.

For no particular reason I am going to start with Musselburgh on Saturday with the sprint handicap at 2.10. Eric Alston has three runners in this including the top weights Princess Ellis and Quiet Elegance. The former is a course and distance winner and looks like starting as favourite. She was third to Peace Offering in a listed race at Newmarket 9 days ago and that sort of form probably marks her down as the one to beat here. Her highest winning mark is 69 and she now runs off 87 so perhaps a current price of around 4/1 may not represent value.

Her stable companion, Quiet Elegance is a half sister to Reverence and has only had 6 runs. Her 3^rd at Haydock last time out on fast ground that may not have suited her certainly puts her in the frame for this. The mare How’s She Cuttin’ has never been out of the first two when racing at Musselburgh and clearly has to be respected. Quiet Elegance and How’s She Cuttin’ would be my two against the field.

Tom Tate’s West with the Wind remains a maiden after 6 starts and was a beaten odds on favourite last time out. The horse seems to lack gears and the step up in trip in the 2.40 tomorrow may help him, although the stable has not been going particularly well which is a slight negative. At around 8/1 he has an each way chance.

The 3.15 is a wide open handicap with several proven performers such as Reverence, Fullandby, River Falcon and Hogmaneigh. At a big price I would take a chance with Brian Smart’s Aegean Dancer.

Another runner from Tom Tate’s yard from my list to follow is Inspector Clouseau in the 5.25, who is also looking for his first win of the season. He has been dropped a few pounds by the assessor which gives him a chance of a place here.

The main flat meeting of the day is at Ascot which kicks off with the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes at 1.10. I don’t have any strong views on this one but Archie Rice, winner of a Newmarket maiden last month, and recent Rome winner Mrs Kipling could go well at decent prices.

Young Mick has been well supported for the 2.20 based on his fine record at Ascot where he won 4 times in 2006. He was runner up on both his last two visits to the track and would be a popular winner. Pevensey is another Ascot specialist and would have an each way chance with some give in the ground.

There are two runners from our list to follow in the 4.05, the bottom pair in the weights, Amanjena and Ascot Lime. Amanjena has been a profitable horse to follow winning at odds of 8/1 and 10/1. Ascot Lime has been progressing with his races this season. He may not have quite got home when runner up to Ajhar at Kempton on his last start and the drop back to 10 furlongs should be in his favour. Amanjena and Ascot Lime look to have sound chances as both are on the upgrade. Slight preference is for Ascot Lime.

They race at Wolverhampton in the evening where there are two runners from my list to follow in action; Peruvian Prince in the 7.20 and Royal Jasr in the 8.50.

There is jumping at Bangor where Oliver Sherwood saddles Sprosser in the 2.25. A winner of a couple of small field novice chases last season he finished the season with a staying on 4^th over an inadequate trip at Cheltenham. Cruising River represents new trainer Jamie Snowden. Formerly trained by Henrietta Knight he has some decent form to his name and with a very capable conditional jockey on board should give a good account of himself. The third one I like is Native Coral, a winner over hurdles and fences last season. These would be my 3 to concentrate on with Sprosser just preferred to Native Coral. Neither would want the ground too soft.

Donald McCain saddled the winner of the 3.25 a couple of seasons ago and relies on top weight Khachaturian this time. A tough consistent sort who is suited by good ground he may prove better over 3 miles in time. He looks the form horse and gets the vote here.

Breedsbreeze, winner of the Tolworth Hurdle last season will be a warm order to make a winning start over fences in the 4.00. Rightway Star was successful in two hurdle races at 2m 1f and 2m 3f on good to soft ground last season but is likely to be even better over fences. Andytown was an Irish points winner and when trained by Nicky Richards last season he was a winner over hurdles at Catterick. He is now with Nicky Henderson and has apparently schooled well over fences. Safari Run had some fair form over hurdles and won a small race over fences at Sedgefield in May. She is another to have changed stables and is with rising star Tim Vaughan. Breedsbreeze clearly has the best form but I am reluctant to take odds on about a novice chaser first time over fences. The other 3 mentioned could cash in if the favourite disappoints and at around 7/1 I will take a chance with Andytown.

What a Buzz who runs in the 4.35 is yet to win a race but has put up some solid performances in defeat.  Most notably when 3rd at 80/1 in a novice hurdle at Cheltenham last season when trained by Paul Darcy.  The form of that race has worked out very well and What A Buzz should be able to win a novice hurdle for new trainer Donald McCain.

Kim Bailey runs Braybrooke Lady in the bumper at 5.10. The trainer has made a good start to the season and this one has a bit of an each way chance. It might be worth keeping an eye on her progress regardless of whether she wins or not tomorrow.

Nudge and Nurdle Pictured below) won a couple of novice chases last season and should be a horse to follow this season. He runs in the 1.25 at Chepstow and should strip fitter for his recent run at Market Rasen.

Boychuk has been described as a bit of a monkey by his trainer and failed to win last season. If he gets his favoured good ground in this race tomorrow though he could be the one to beat. The Real Deal took a while to get the hang of things over fences but once the penny dropped he looked a progressive sort. It would be no surprise to see him back in the winner’s enclosure during this season and he is the third horse I would consider in this race.  The fourth horse on my rather lengthy short list is Seymar Lad, trained by Emma Lavelle. He is a good jumper and has won hsi last two starts over fences.  At the prices I am going for Seymar Lad.

Crack Away Jack is being talked about as a potential Champion Hurdle horse. If that dream is to be realised he probably needs to win or go close in the 2.00 tomorrow. He won the Fred Winter at Cheltenham beating David Pipe’s Ashkazar and sets the standard here. Five Dream won handicaps at Cheltenham and Sandown last season. He is likely to go novice chasing after this run. Squadron was 2^nd to Crack Away Jack at Sandown in February giving his rival 10 lbs. As he is now getting 19 lbs from Emma Lavelle’s horse he does not look badly treated. The fourth horse to consider for this race is Songe who was 4^th in the Triumph Hurdle. An interesting contest this and at the weights I would just favour Squadron (pictured below).

Crescent Island was made favourite at Perth a couple of weeks ago but ran out when passing the stables, something he had done earlier in his career in a bumper. The left handed track should suit him and he is worth another chance in the 2.35 at Chepstow.

Oscar Gogo was behind when he unseated 3 days ago. A former bumper winner he could be quite well treated in handicap hurdles and I am inclined to stick with him in the Chepstow 3.05.

Howard Johnson is getting plenty of winners already and I am very keen on his Striking Article in the 2.15 at Hexham tomorrow. After winning a bumper at Carlisle and a novice hurdle at Wetherby he had injury problems which affected his last two runs. Hopefully he is back to fitness now and should make a winning start to his career over fences.

Sunday

Flat races for national hunt jockeys are probably not the greatest betting mediums but I quite fancy Wyeth in the 2.00 at Goodwood. He is a half brother to George Washington but took some time to win any sort of race. He got off the mark at the 9^th time of asking over 13 furlongs and then won at Plumpton on his hurdles debut. Having got the winning habit I am hoping he can make it 3 in a row in Sunday.

Mountain Pride has done his job for my list to follow by winning at 20/1 at Sandown in June. He has disappointed since and I couldn’t give him a vote of confidence in the Goodwood 3.45. The Fifth Member runs in the same race and in contrast to Mountain Pride he has been admirably consistent. His 2 wins this season have been on the all weather at Kempton but he has performed well on turf as well. He has run well on his previous visits to Goodwood and he will be hard to keep put of the frame.

Like Mountain Pride, Fearless Warrior is trained by John Dunlop and is another horse that has paid his way for my list to follow. Two wins have come at 9/1 and 11/4 but he was last of 8 on his most recent run and it may be that the handicapper has caught up with him. He runs in the 5.25.

Over in Ireland I am interested in Carrigeen King in the 5.20 at Limerick on Sunday. This gelding comes from a good family and has done enough to suggest that he can win over fences. He won a Clonmel bumper beating a horse that went on to win next time out at Limerick. After falling on his chase debut he finished 2^nd Tipperary on May 1^st and should be able to notch his first win over fences soon.

Pandorama put his rivals to the sword in no uncertain fashion when winning a bumper at Fairyhouse by 22 lengths in March. This winning pointer is expected to make a big impression over fences eventually but in the meantime his education continues in the bumper at Naas (6.00).

Acknowledgements: The 3 pictures illustrating Saturday’s racing are courtesy of Karen Davies. Sunday’s picture is courtesy of Sally Martin. My thanks to Tracy Roberts (Turfpix) for the photos.

The 2 year old maidens at this time of year often throw up horses to follow for next season. Yesterday Alanbrooke was a winner at Nottingham yesterday despite trading at 47/1 in running. Although under pressure from a long way out he stayed on steadily under Royston Ffrench to land the spoils. He looks a stayer and one to watch next season. This afternoon Skanky Biscuit showed a good attitude to win the second division of the mile maiden for Brian Meehan. Despite not having the most attractive name the horse, who had blotted his copybook when refusing to enter the stalls last time, is another that can go on to even better things. Lastly, I was quite taken with the performance of Border Patrol in the first division of the race. He finished 3^rd and the first 4 pulled well clear of the remainder. He comes from a family of winners and I will be monitoring his progress with interest.

Malcolm Jefferson had a winner on the flat yesterday with the impressive Cape Tribulation and he has he could well have further success over the jumps at Carlisle tomorrow. A former bumper winner, Tot O’Whiskey won twice over hurdles at Hexham last season and also ran an excellent 3^rd to Beshabar in a strong Sandown novice handicap. He starts his career over fences for Malcolm Jefferson tomorrow in the 2.30 at Carlisle over two and a half miles. The other one I like in this race is the Lucinda Russell runner Quws Law a winner twice over hurdles at Ayr last season and a horse that has the look of a chaser.

The other Jefferson runner I like is Cadoudalas in the 4.40. He has been in the first 4 in his last 6 races and is bred to improve on his form so far now that he tackles fences. If I had to nominate a danger it would be Sue Smith’s Super Road Train a thorough stayer that won three times in handicap chases last season including 2 at Carlisle. I am sure he will find a race or two again this season when stamina is at a premium.

Down at Lingfield Hereford Boy represents my list to follow in the 3.20. He has certainly not been the most profitable selection on the list as he has only won once from 10 starts and that was at 15/8. That win came off a rating of 75 and he has now come back down to 76. He is a course and distance winner and he has Robert Havlin on board who has done the steering on him on 4 of his 5 career wins. The other runner from my list to follow at Lingfield is Formation in the 4.20. Another runner to look out for at Lingfield is Apache Fort in the 4.55 who has won 4 times over course and distance.

Houghton is a half brother to the high class middle distance performer Yellowstone. The fact that he got off the mark at Great Leighs on his 5^th start probably shows that he is not one of Sir Michael Stoute’s star performers. A winner is a winner though and he looked a dour stayer at Great Leighs so there may be more staying races to be won with him in modest company. He goes in the 7.20 at Wolverhampton tomorrow evening.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Margaret Barrett (see links for more information about this artist)

Mick Channon’s Dune’s Queen has been the subject of good reports during the summer and finally makes her debut tomorrow in the Newbury 1.40. This filly is very well bred being out of Queen’s Logic a top class filly herself until injury cut short her career, and a half sister to Arc winner Dylan Thomas.

There are some more interesting 2 year olds later on the Newbury card as well. In the 2.40 Border Control, trained by Roger Charlton, has his first run. He is the 7^th foal of the dam Ffestiniog and his 6 siblings have all won at least once. Conclusive, trained by Ralph Beckett is a half brother to Royal Confidence, a dual winner at 2 who also won a listed race at Doncaster recently, while a third debutant, Hilbre Point, by Giant’s Causeway is another to watch out for.

In the 3.50 John Dunlop’s Sadler’s Wells colt Tactic sets the standard after an eyecatching run when 4^th over 7 furlongs at Newbury. He should benefit from the additional furlong tomorrow and looks a fair prospect. Of the newcomers Roman Republic and Skanky Biscuit both make some appeal on breeding.

Fourty Acers (pictured below) won a couple of novice hurdles in May and ran well in 4^th at Uttoxeter over fences in the Summer National. He is at his best on firm ground and if he gets his conditions he could be hard to beat in the 3.40 at Southwell.

Paul Nicholls is starting to have a few runners now that the jumps season is getting underway in earnest. He has Art Trend in the 2.20 at Wincanton tomorrow. He is by Hawk Wing and won on the flat over a mile and a half. Being a half brother to Folk Opera he is likely to be a warm order to make a winning start to his jumping career.

The picture of Fourty Acers is by courtesy of Tracy Roberts (Turfpix).

My preview on Sunday evening yielded a few winners. First Avenue saved me from what would have been a blank day yesterday but things took a turn for the better this afternoon thanks to Miss Eze (6/1) and Electrolyser (13/2).

There are meetings on the flat and over the sticks tomorrow and I am going to start with the jumpers as I think they represent my best chance of finding a winner.

Exeter is the better of the 2 jumps meetings and I am particularly interested in the novice hurdle at 4.50. Philip Hobbs has supplied the winner twice in recent years and he has one of the leading fancies this time in Copper Bleu. This half brother to Presenting Copper is having his first run over hurdles after displaying good from in 2 bumpers last season. After winning at Cork on heavy ground he took his chance in the Aintree bumper at the Grand National meeting and did well to finish 5^th in what is traditionally a strong race. The conditions that day favoured the quicker horses so he did especially well given his jumping pedigree. It will be a surprise if he doesn’t make his mark over obstacles. His main rival tomorrow could well be the David Pipe trained Quaddick Lane. An Irish points winner he was tanking along and upsides the eventual winner Snap Tie when falling at the final hurdle at Cheltenham on his rules debut. He was disappointing in a couple of starts after that but he showed plenty of ability before coming to grief at Cheltenham and looks an interesting prospect. Quaddick Lane has plenty of stamina in his pedigree and may eventually be running over further, while Copper Bleu is not short of speed and may come out on top over tomorrow’s trip. Both look nice horses to follow this season.

Earlier on the Exeter card there is a nice little handicap hurdle with a few old favourites in the line up. At the top of the weights is Harris Bay who has some very unusual form figures. He has raced 25 times and been pulled up no fewer than 8 times. Against that though he has won 9 races. If he is on a going day he is very well handicapped and has gone well fresh in the past. Pepperoni Pete won 5 times when he was trained by Paul Nicholls but never quite lived up to his early promise with the Ditcheat maestro. He is well handicapped and should be suited by both the trip and the stiff right handed track tomorrow. My each way fancy is the lightly raced Oscar Gogo trained by Liam Corcoran. He was 4^th on his handicap debut at Stratford 24 days ago and should come on for that. He should also be suited to the stiffer test of stamina tomorrow.

On the flat I would be interested in Alanbrooke in the Nottingham 2.40. Mark Johnston’s 2 year old was 5^th on his debut at Sandown and comes from a family of winners.

Moheeb must be a real fun horse to own, although he has not been a profitable horse on my list to follow. He has already raced 18 times this season, and will have his 3^rd outing this month in the 3.40 at Nottingham tomorrow. Although he has only won once, he has made the frame a number of times and ran a cracker on Saturday when 5^th of 23 in the valuable handicap at Redcar. He should once again be in they shake up.

Another expensive horse to follow runs in the 5.10. Rossini’s Dancer finally got off the mark at the 15^th time of asking at Beverley last month, although his jockey Barry McHugh had to work very hard for his money. I don’t think that Rossini’s Dancer is exactly guaranteed to follow up although the soft ground should be in his favour and young McHugh is again on board in this apprentice handicap.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Ruth S Harris (see links)

See you tomorrow.

I managed to find a few winners this weekend, especially over the jumps. I was particularly impressed with the performance of Argento Luna at Huntingdon. She showed signs of temperament before the start, although certainly not during the race, and as long as she doesn’t spoil her chances in the preliminaries we should hear a lot more of her. She was given a good ride by the underrated Dominic Elsworth.

As usual I will concentrate mainly on the horses from my list to follow in this preview of the meetings on Monday and Tuesday, which are all on the flat.

At Pontefract in the 3.10 Navajo Jo and By Command are the runners from my list. Both won earlier in the season but have disappointed since. They finished 8^th and 9^th respectively at Sandown last month. Both wore blinkers for the first time in the Sandown race, an indication that they have not lived up to early promise. By Command has been dropped 5 lbs in the ratings while Navajo Joe has come down a pound. That apart there is no particularl reason to support them tomorrow. The blinkers have been left off Navajo Joe who has tended to race far too keenly. Frankie Dettori rides him tomorrow and will need to get him to settle better. The Italian rode him once last season when he finished 2^nd at Haydock

By contrast to the pair in the 3.10, Tarkheena Prince, who runs in the 3.40 has been one of the successes from my list. He has won 3 times showing a liking for soft ground. He is stepped up in trip markedly tomorrow which is not an unusual ploy with his trainer. Jamie Spencer has been booked to ride and is likely to play a waiting game. The horse has gone up 9 lbs since the beginning of the season. The one that I would regard as a big threat is the useful hurdler from Keith Reveley’s yard, Tazbar.

Like Tarkheena Prince, Louis Seffens is trained by Alan Swinbank. This 3 year old only raced once in 2007 and shaped really well finishing runner up in a back end Doncaster maiden. He was however last on both his starts this season but has not run since May 10 so it is possible that he has had a problem. He runs in the claimer at 4.10 tomorrow where he would have a chance based on the promise shown last season.

Hawk Mountain (Pontefract 4.40) won in impressive style at Nottingham in August and was then 2^nd at Redcar. He has gone up steeply in the weights but I would still be hopeful of another decent effort. It is possible that he wouldn’t want the ground to be too soft.

William Haggas has been firing in the winners of late and I would expect his 2 year old Baron Otto to run well in the 3.50 at Warwick. Baron Otto caught my eye before he had even run as his dam is a half sister to the 2,000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand. He ran well enough in 5^th on his debut at Newbury and should come on for that run.

First Avenue (Warwick 4.20) has been really frustrating to follow this season with form figures that read 33223. On 4 of those 5 occasions he was a beaten favourite and there must be a few questions marks about his attitude now. He is good enough to win this, as demonstrated by his 3^rd to subsequent St Leger winner Conduit earlier in the season. He is back at 10 furlongs tomorrow having been racing over 12 and I am going to give him one more chance.

Albarouche has been running pretty consistently and with trainer Michael Jarvis in good form should go well in the 4.00 at Windsor. The other runner in this race from my list to follow is French Riviera. Baby Rock bounced back to form last month when 2^nd at Yarmouth and is my selection for the 4.30.

There are a couple of runners from my list in action on Tuesday, both at Leiceater. General Tufto runs in the 3.40 and Electrolyser in the 4.10. The latter looks to have a good chance based on his recent 2^nd at Newmarket when he was returning from a long absence. He is lightly raced and should have scope for further improvement.

Finally, I am a bit interested in Miss Eze in the 3.50 at Folkestone. She is named after a village near the French Riviera and comes from a family mostly named after places connected to that area of France. Her dam, Miss Corniche was a horse I used to follow and I hope that Miss Eze runs well for her trainer Geoff Wragg, who is retiring at the end of the season.

Both pictures are by courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.  See links for more details of her work.

My next update will be on Tuesday.

No filly has won the Arc since 1993, although they won 5 on the trot between 1979 and 1983. Anyway, these trends are there to be broken as shown by Katchit in the Triumph Hurdle and Sir Michael Stoute in the St Leger this year. The filly Zarkarva has won all her 6 starts including 5 at Longchamps and is the most likely winner in tomorrow’s feature race . Her odds are likely to be very short though and in view of the fact that she gave away several lengths at the start of her last race, a similar problem tomorrow would be difficult to overcome, she is not value. It is always dangerous to oppose Aiden O’Brien in Group 1 races and he has Duke of Marmalade and Soldier of Fortune in the line up. Johnny Murtagh has chosen to ride Duke of Marmalade, although significant rain over in Paris would favour Soldier of Fortune.

Youmzain was 2^nd last season and would be an immensely popular winner for Mick Channon but if there is value to be had it seems to be with Papal Bull. He is a quirky individual but talented and he came very close to beating Duke of Marmalade at Ascot in July.

Elsewhere on the Longchamp card I fancy Treat Gently, 3^rd to Zarkova in the Prix Vermeille in the 3.00. The main threat to the Andre Fabre runner looks likely to come from the Irish pair Lush Lashes and Katiyra.

Tante Rose was a favourite filly of mine a few years ago and I have been following the fortunes of her daughter Rose Diamond this season. She has been running consistently well and takes her chance in the 1.50 at Longchamp where she has a bit of an each way chance at around 25/1.

The jumpers are in action at Huntingdon where Philip Hobbs has the likely favourite in the 2.40 in French Saulaie. This free going sort has some decent from over hurdles having finished 3^rd in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last season. Master Medic (pictured below) will appreciate the ground as long as it remains on the fast side and he looks over priced at 16/1.

Oceana Gold was 2^nd to Bankable in a mile handicap on the flat last season and makes his hurdles debut in the 4.20. He is now trained by Emma Lavelle who has booked AP McCoy to ride. Stamina could be a problem I suppose but with the ground riding on the quick side Oceana Gold could take some stopping if his hurdling is up to scratch.

Argento Luna had some good form in bumpers last season and makes her hurdles bow in the 4.50. Good ground is likely to suit.

I don’t know if Max Bygraves ventured as far into the frozen North as Kelso during his singing career but Dougie Costello will be looking to get a tune out of the horse of that name in the 5.00 at the Borders track. He looks reasonably treated off a mark of 85.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls sends a team to Uttoxeter and saddles Earth Dream in the 2.30. On breeding he should be suited by the trip.

I’msingingtheblues, who runs in the 4.10 looks to be the strongest of the Nicholls runners tomorrow. He has good hurdles from and it would be no surprise if he made a winning start to his career over fences in the 4.10.

Herecomesstanley seeks to follow up his win in the 4.40 last season and he looks the one to beat. The Kim Bailey trained Sarde, 3^rd at Aintree on his last start would be an interesting runner here but he will only take his place in the line up if there is sufficient rain.

Acknowledgements: Photo of Master Medic by Tracy Roberts (Turfpix); Top picture courtesy of Jo Stockdale, bottom picture courtesy of Katy Sodeau.

Good luck and see you tomorrow.

Today was something of a mixed bag with a sprinkling of winning tips and a few disappointments. One point to note from this early part of the jumps season is the form of Howard Johnson’s stable. The handler from Crook up in County Durham is certainly firing in the winners. His expensive purchase from Ireland On Raglan Road made a winning debut for at Hexham this afternoon while Drever Route got the better of a couple of classy recruits from the flat in the novice hurdle.

There is plenty to look forward to this weekend which is one of the best in the racing calendar, with top-class action at Newmarket and in France at Longchamp.

I am going to begin at Newmarket with the Cambridgeshire (3.50) which is as competitive as ever. So let’s have a look at some of the contenders. The weights are headed by a Group 3 winner, Smoky Oakey. Mark Tompkins’ 4 year old won the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown in May beating last season’s Cambridgeshire winner Pipedreamer at level weights in the process. He is no stranger to big handicap wins either as he won the Lincoln at the start of the season. He has claims but the two things that put me off are his preference for soft ground and his weight. He has gone up 15 lbs in the handicap since winning the Lincoln and I think that there are better handicapped runners in the field.

Docofthebay was runner up to Pipedreamer in 2007 but is now 9 lbs higher in the weights. He has been running well enough this season, has a good record in big fields and has a fair turn of foot at the end of his races. Once again though the weight factor puts me off. Mutajarred comes from a stable in excellent form but needs the heavens to open between now and the race as he is best in a swamp!

Don’t Panic is rather caught between handicaps and pattern races. He won the Spring Mile at Doncaster at the start of the season and has since been running in listed and Group races. He is another that may not find the ground to his liking though.

Lang Shining could be interesting. He looked set for a bright future when taking the Newbury Spring Cup in April but failed to build on that in subsequent runs until coming back to form on his latest start when 2^nd to Ask the Butler at Sandown. He is a bit hard to weigh up as his form has been rather in and out but on his best form he certainly has a chance here over what could well be his optimum trip.

Premio Loco is well in at the weights and comes here looking for a hat trick having recorded a couple of wins at Kempton on the all weather. These wins were over a mile but the way he won indicates that the extra furlong will not be a problem. Dream Lodge went up 8 lbs for winning a 4 runner conditions event and that, combined with the fact he will not want the ground too firm make him an unlikely winner. Swop is a lightly raced 5 year old that has only run 5 times in his career. He has never finished out of the first 3, most recently finishing 3^rd behind Ask the Butler and Lang Shining at Sandown. With Richard Hughes on board he comes here with every chance.

Of the remainder Yaddree, Prince Kalamoun and Virtual tick most of the right boxes. Yaddree and Prince Kalamoun in particular will like the ground if it stays on the quick side. For my selection will side with Premio Loco.

I thought that Tiger Eye ran as though she would come on for the race when she was 4^th at Yarmouth. She runs in the 2.10 and has an each way chance at around 10/1.

I tipped Mafaaz when he won on his debut at Kempton and I will stick with him tomorrow in the 2.45.

Spacious won both her races as a two year old and has done nothing wrong this season. She was runner up to Natagora in the 1,000 Guineas and she was then 4^th in the Coronation Stakes before being dropped in class to get off the mark for the season at Doncaster. I am hopeful that she can run well in the 3.15. Festoso was 3^rd to Natagora in the Cheveley Park in 2007 and was then off the track for 11 months before overcoming a tardy start to finish 3^rd in a listed race at Doncaster. She deserves her place in this line up and is certainly not without a chance.

I have been following trainer William Haggas with some success of late and his Dream Date makes some appeal in the 4.25 having shown enough in 3 runs to suggest he is up to winning a nursery.

There are plenty of British runners at Longchamp. Just to run through a few of them John Gosden is represented in the 12.45 and 1.15 with Centennial and Dar Re Mi respectively. Centennial has won two group races this season, while Dar Rte Mi has been running with admirable consistency and was runner up to the brilliant Zarkava in the Prix Vermeille last month. Dar Re Mi looks to have a good chance of landing the spoils in her race.

Richard Fahey has our old friend Utmost Respect in the 2.20 but the ground may not be soft enough for this one.  Richard Hannon’s Paco Boy might be the one most likely to bring the prize back across the Channel. The 1,000 winner Natagora will be one of the French hopes in this.

The all conquering Yeats will be going for a 6^th career Group 1 win in the 2.55 while our old friend Blythe Knight takes his chance in the 3.30, a race he finished 3^rd in last season.

Back home at Kempton Park there are 2 runners from my list to follow in the 3.10. The in form Knot in Wood has been enjoying his visits to Scotland this season winning twice at Hamilton and running 4^th in the prestigious Ayr Gold Cup. He is not well drawn tomorrow but I would still expect a decent run from him. Aahayson won a listed race in March and his handicap mark suffered as a result. He has been dropped a few pounds now though and may well be able to get competitive here. The one they both have to beat though is Ebraam who has a proven record on the all weather.

Empowered is a half brother to Derby winner Authorized. He has only run once when he was a little disappointing and could only finish 4^th in a maiden at Leicester. That was back on the 3^rd April so it does seem as though the horse has had problems. He runs in the 4.20 at Kempton where any market support for him would be interesting.

The consistent Moheeb represents our list to follow in the 2.25 at Redcar which is an ultra competitive handicap. He has an each way chance. For lovers of completely pointless statistics there are two former winners of the Carlisle Bell Handicap in the race: Osteopathic Remedy and Hartshead.

I will be back tomorrow evening for a look at the Longchamp Arc card as well as some interesting racing from the UK jumps meetings.

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Ruth Buchanan.  See links for more examples of this artist’s work.

The well bred 2 year old Evasive was well backed on his debut at Kempton but after having a bit of trouble loading into the stalls ran rather green. He finished well in third though and should certainly benefit from the experience. He would be my choice in the Newmarket 1.00 in a race where the stable were successful back in 2004 with the enigmatic Rob Roy. Of the unraced horses Halfway House is one to keep an eye on. His dam won the Italian Oaks. Gerard Butler introduces Trojan Reef who is related to several winners and is another newcomer to note.

Bankable has won 4 of his 7 starts over a mile so is certainly one to take seriously over that trip in the 2.05 at Newmarket tomorrow. He has finished 2^nd on his last 3 starts but as two of those defeats were to Passage of Time and Raven’s Pass he was hardly disgraced. If he handles the faster ground OK tomorrow he should go well. The other runner from my list to follow in this race is Calming Influence, a winner in listed races at Newmarket and Deauville this season. The stable have won this race for the last 2 seasons and if he settles, he has raced too keenly at times, then Calming Influence would not be without a chance. Bankable is my idea of the likely winner though.

Bushranger showed plenty of speed to land the Prix Morny at Deauville in August and looks the one to beat in the Middle Park Stakes. He fits the profile of recent winners such as Dutch Art, Oasis Dream and Amadeus Wolf in that speed seems to be his strong suit. Finjaan, winner of the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood over 5 furlongs has given the impression that the additional furlong tomorrow would be in his favour and he may give the Irish challenger most to do.

Emirates Roadshow who runs in the 3.45 holds a number of Group 1 entries so appears well thought of by his connections. He was 6^th on his debut at Yarmouth and should come on for that run.

There are 4 runners from my list to follow in the 4.20. This race presents plenty of problems to the would be tipster. For example to what extent has Regal Flush recovered the form that saw him finish 4^th in the St Leger last year? He has been largely disappointing this season until winning a small race at Salisbury. Now that may have restored his confidence but the overall form of the stable is a concern as is the trip which may be on the short side for the Godolphin horse. Speed Gifted is also difficult to assess. He has had problems in some of his races recently. He had to be re-shod before the start at Longchamps and was then brought down at Chester. His runs in Group company suggest he is up to winning at listed level but he has not always shown a willing attitude. Duncan is the dark horse of the race. He has only had 3 career runs, a couple of 2nds culminating in an impressive runaway victory in a Pontefract maiden over 10 furlongs. He is entitled to improve on what he has done thus far, not least because he is bred to appreciate the extra quarter mile tomorrow, but he does have to improve considerably on his form so far. The fourth runner from my list is Whistledownwind. Only beaten a neck in the Sandown Classic Trial he was then 4^th of 6 in a listed race at Goodwood before appearing not to stay in the St Leger.

This is a very tricky little race. Regal Flush should win but I would be reluctant to take short odds. I am inclined to take a chance with the improver, Duncan, as the others all have question marks against them for one reason or another.

Ascot Lime has looked a progressive horse for Sir Michael Stoute and has displayed a willing attitude. He is my selection in the 4.55. The other runner at Newmarket from my list to follow is Stow who has an each way chance in the 5.30.

I have had some success of late following the in form trainer William Haggas and I quite fancy his Silvanus in the 4.10 down at Lingfield.

There is jumping at Hexham where According to Pete makes his chase debut in the 2.50. He was third in handicap hurdles at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last spring and if taking to fences looks an interesting prospect.

Howard Johnson has been among the winners in the last couple of weeks and has a powerful string lined up for the coming months. He runs On Raglan Road in the 3.00 for his main owners Graham and Andrea Wylie. The County Durham trainer paid £320,000 for On Raglan Road who won his only point to point in Ireland and then won a Punchestown bumper on his rules debut. He is bred for the job as his dam is a half sister to Therealbandit and The Bajan Bandit and comes from the family of Andy Pandy.

The 4.30 looks interesting, not least because of the participation of Alfie Flits, a dual listed winner on the flat. Also in this line up we have Solent, an impressive winner at Bangor and Khachaturian from Donald McCain’s stable. Alfie Flits had the class and could be hard to beat.

The Portonian, a half brother to the ill fated Calymore is held in high regard by trainer Malcolm Jefferson and runs in the bumper at 5.40.

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Karen Davies (see links).