Diary: October 31 2009

I have just returned from a few days in the sun and I have only had time to give tomorrow’s cards a cursory glance.

The Ascot jumps card looks the pick of the day’s action. Cockney Trucker was 3^rd in the County Hurdle last season and looks the type to make a decent novice chaser. He makes his debut over the larger obstacles in the 1.20 tomorrow. The going should be about right for him as he wouldn’t want it too soft.

It is always good to see the small stables mixing it with the major players like Nicholls and Pipe. Gone to Lunch certainly represents one of the smaller outfits. He rarely runs a bad race and won 3 times last season as well as finishing runner up in the Scottish National. He has an each way chance in the 1.50.

The ground should suit dual hurdles winner You’re the Top in the 2.25 and he is just preferred to Pterodactyl who should be fitter for his outing last weekend.

I imagine that Micheal Flips will go novice chasing at some stage this season. He is being kept to hurdles tomorrow though and looks to have a fair chance in the 3.00.

Master Medic is not a certain starter in the 3.25 as he needs rain or the ground won’t be suitable for him. If he does turn out he could well have a bit in hand of the assessor.

At Newmarket the Sir Michael Stoute trained Revered looks the likely winner of the 12.25 A well bred individual she made an encouraging start to her career when 3^rd at Salisbury.

In the 2.05 Swop, Secrecy and Lucky Dance are all worth considering. I would just about give Secrecy the edge over Swop. Plum Pudding likes it at Newmarket – he has won their 7 times. Devotees of the horses for courses theory won’t want to miss him in the 2.35.

Godolphin are in good form and their once raced juvenile Bint Almatar runs in the 3.10. A winner at Nottingham this one comes into the “could be anything” category. Michael Jarvis has a chance in the 3.45 with his 3 year old Laaheb.

At Wetherby Pettifour represents an in form stable and is a tentative selection in the 3.25. Lastly, at Wolverhampton there is one runner from my list to follow. Dig Deep has already given us a nice winner this season and to follow him further would probably be pushing our luck so I will not recommend a wager in the 7.20.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Julie Whitwham.