ahorse

There is quality racing under both codes tomorrow, with major meetings at Cheltenham and Newmarket.

I will start with the jumpers and the 2.55 at Cheltenham which looks to be between the first two in the betting, Ring the Boss and Razor Royale. The latter was a winner over hurdles last season and is expected to take a high rank in the novice chase division this term. Ring the Boss (pictured below) won handicap hurdles at Newbury and Sandown last season.

He already has experience over fences having run impressively when beaten a neck in the Kingmaker novice chase at Warwick before finishing 8^th behind Tidal Bay in the Arkle. Jamie Snowden runs Lester Leaps In who was a consistent hurdler when trained by Nicky Henderson but I am inclined to stick with the two favourites with preference for the more experienced Ring the Boss.

Nicky Richards sends his recent Perth winner Noble Alan to Cheltenham for the 3.30. Given good ground Noble Alan should give us a run for our money. A couple of outsiders that appeal on an each way basis are Sangfroid and Winsley Hill.

I am expecting Ferdy Murphy’s Noir et Vert to make an impact in the better staying handicap chases this season. He should be suited by the ground in the 4.05 tomorrow and does not look badly treated at the weights. If he is fit enough to do himself justice on his first run of the season he should go well. The other one I like is the giant Nirvana Swing who was a winner three times over fences last season.

The maiden hurdle at 5.50 has attracted a decent field including Alfie Flits and Unfurled who were both winners of listed races on the flat, in fact Unfurled was 7^th in the Derby a few years ago. Both horses were 2^nd on their hurdling debuts and warrant plenty of respect. Big Eared Fran and Cockney Trucker are the other pair that interest me. Both won bumpers at Sandown last season and are expected to make their mark over timber. Of the quartet Cockney Trucker and Big Eared Fran would be my two against the field.

Turning to the flat the well bred Catigo is one to watch in the 1.00 where Swiss Diva could run well at a big price. Alhaque has done little wrong on his two visits to Newmarket but both times has found one too good. He deserves to get his head in front in the 1.30. In the 2.00 there are some nicely bred newcomers. Dreamcoat is a half brother to the high class Pipedreamer while Highland Glen and Trojan Reef are others to note.

There are a couple of runners from our list to follow in the 3.10. Lang Shining has not really done enough to suggest he is good enough in this company and my selection is Bankable who has now finished runner up in his last 4 races and deserves to win one of these. He was given too much to do when just unable to peg back Eagle Mountain here a fortnight ago and this 9 furlong trip may be ideal for him.

Spacious has turned in some decent efforts in Group 1 company but her only win this season came when she made heavy weather of landing the odds when dropped in class at Doncaster. She is tried over a longer trip in the 3.45. She should have the class to win but the price looks unrealistically short.

I fancied Mastership in the big 7 furlong handicap at Ascot at the end of September but he ran an absolute stinker finishing last. On the basis that that display was too bad to be true I am going to stick with him in the 7.50 at Kempton tomorrow. Rock Peak is the other runner from my list to follow at Kempton. He goes in the 9.20, while Mr Crystal represents the list in the Redcar 4.30.

My thanks to Tracy Roberts (Turfpix)  for the picture of Ring the Boss.  The paiting are by courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn.

Good luck

Jamie Snowden is a new name in the training ranks having recently set up a dual purpose yard in Wiltshire. He was assistant to Nicky Henderson and as an amateur jockey rode with some distinction. Tomorrow at Ludlow he sends out Bid Art in the 3 year old maiden hurdle at 3.30. This son of Hawk Wing ran 9 times on the flat for Andrew Balding without shedding his maiden tag but was placed 3^rd a couple of times and has reportedly schooled well over hurdles.

There is a good card over at Punchestown where I fancy Oscar Rebel in the 3.45 and Trafford Lad in the 4.15.

There is racing on the flat at Nottingham where there are a couple of interesting newcomers in the 1.40. Ebiayn is a half brother to several winners and is the subject of good reports. He may be best with some cut in the ground. Another to watch out for is Wee Giant, a half sister to 5 winners and trained by Kevin Ryan.

Halfway House runs in the second division of the same maiden at 2.10. This colt is a half brother to the very useful Spice Route and should be all the better for his debut run at Newmarket a couple of weeks ago.

There are a couple of runners from my list to follow in action at Great Leighs. Fantasy Fighter runs in the 5.50 while General Tufto goes in the 6.20.

Bye for now.

I was heading for a blank day yesterday when Dvinski came to my rescue in the last race at Kempton, a track that has certainly been lucky for me of late. Dvinski is becoming quite a specialist there.

There is a mixture of all weather and national hunt racing tomorrow. I will start at Lingfield and the 6 runner conditions stakes at 4.00. I have been following the fortunes of the Jamie Osborne trained Blown It this season. He has been highly tried on a couple of his starts and is clearly well thought of by his connections. His only win came at Wolverhampton but he was out classed on his 2 ventures into Group company. I wouldn’t rule him out in this but the one to beat looks to be Calligrapher who beat Film Set at Pontefract with the front pair 7 lengths clear of the remainder. Film Set has since won at Newbury so the form looks OK.

Astrodome won twice at Hamilton in August but failed to make it 3 in a row when 5^th of 7 at Wolverhampton. He runs in the 4.30 where the step up to 2 miles should suit him as he is a half brother to the useful stayer Alambic out of a middle distance winning half sister to Last Second. Incidentally, one of the oldest flat horses in training, Flame Creek, lines up in this race. He was once thought of as a very promising hurdler and won the Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial back in 2003. He is a 12 year old now and has 12 wins to his credit, on the flat, over both hurdles and fences and even once in a bumper.

Smarterthanuthink was a winner for my list to follow back in June at Hamilton but has been unable to score again in 3 subsequent runs and has not always looked a straightforward ride. He goes in the 5.00 at Lingfield tomorrow but there is no obvious reason to support him.

The jumping tomorrow comes from Uttoxeter and Wetherby. One of the more interesting runners is Diamond Harry in the Uttoxeter 3.05. This 5 year old has won the last two runnings of the Spring Sales bumper at Newbury, something of an unusual double, and now makes his hurdles debut. He must have a very good chance of making a winning start. The main danger is probably Keki Buku trained by Philip Hobbs.

My best bet at Wetherby is Marleybow trained by Howard Johnson who has his team in good form. A good looker, Marleybow has always given the impression that fences will be his game and he makes his debut over the larger obstacles in the 4.50 at Wetherby.

That is all for today. Diamond Harry and Marleybow will hopefully go close.

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

Emma Lavelle has her horses in good form at the moment. She runs Regal Quote in the 3.30 at Huntingdon tomorrow. The horse, owned by the trainer’s father didn’t show much in 3 runs last season but apparently more is expected from this second season novice this term. Jack Doyle has the ride.

I rather missed out on Border Tale when he won at Kelso at 12/1 recently. He will be travelling a long way to Huntingdon tomorrow where he runs under a 7 lbs penalty in the 4.00. He rarely ventures this far South which may be a pointer to his chances. He will want top of the ground to show his best form.

Emirates Roadshow, an expensive Godolphin colt, was runner up at Newmarket in his second run 11 days ago and may well break his duck in the 1.40 at Leicester. In the same race Prohibition may be capable of better than he showed at Newmarket on his debut.

There are two winners from my list to follow in action tomorrow. Piverina (Leicester 4.10) and Charles Parnell (3.20 Newcastle).

Picture courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

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.