NEWCASTLE

2:10 G1 Fighting Fifth

Constitution Hill (Nico De Boinville)

As has been very well publicised, this is definitely plan B after Ascot last week and it’s not ideal running him and Epatante in the same race, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles and it still fits in nicely with the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day. He’s fit, well, looks a million dollars and who knows what the ground will be doing in a day’s time let along two weeks if we were going to consider the Unibet International Hurdle at Cheltenham, so he’s coming here and I couldn’t be happier with his condition.

Epatante (Aidan Coleman)

She has won this for the last two years, and this is very much her race, so it’s a shame she has Constitution Hill coming to try and spoil the party, but as we all know, she is definitely no slouch and has a marvellous turn of foot and loves the track. She has a good record first time out and is ready to go.

NEWBURY

12:15

Luccia (James Bowen)

We were going to run her in another Bumper at Cheltenham two weeks ago but had to pull her out owing to the ground so we decided we might as well just go straight over hurdles because her schooling has been excellent, as has her work, and I’m look forward to getting her out. It’s been well documented that we very nearly lost her in the spring because she kept locking her stifle and at one point was unable to get herself up in the stable but thankfully things turned out fine and this is a good race to make her debut over hurdles. She’s exciting.

1:20

Mister Coffey (James Bowen)

Two miles six furlongs on a left handed track is good for him but I must admit I do not want to run him if the ground is any quicker, hence we pulled him out of Cheltenham last week. He’s a very talented horse, and this is a race I’d like to win, but I am concerned about the going. I walked the track on Wednesday and it was still pretty firm underneath but they have watered and any rain overnight would obviously aid his cause.

1:55

Walkingonair (James Bowen)

He is the most gorgeous animal and will have absolutely no problem jumping a fence, in fact that is most definitely where his future lies, but there is lots of unfinished business over hurdles and he’s a horse we all like a lot. We had to rush him to get to Aintree in April which in hindsight we should never have done becaue he made lots of mistakes and everything happened too quickly for him on what was only his third run ever. He’s open to plenty of improvement and has a very good chance.

2:30

First Street (James Bowen)

This race has been the plan since year dot and I’m pleased to say everything has gone according to plan so far. He jumps well, gallops well and is a very talented horse. He does have to carry top weight which won’t make things easy but this race is made for him.

Theatre Glory (Nathan Brennan)

She’s an adorable mare who enjoyed a fruitful campaign last season and Nathan has ridden her before and is good value for his 7lbs claim. The drop back in trip won’t be a problem because she’s not short of pace and she should go nicely.

3:05

Diablo De Rouhet (Jack Tudor)

He’s only 2lbs out of the Handicap so I’m not worried on that front and we’ll try and let him loose from the front and see what he’s got. Whether he’s good enough to win a race like this I do not know, but he’s in good form and will give his owners a great day out if nothing else. Chantry House heads up to Aintree next week for the Many Clouds Chase.

DONCASTER

1:12pm

Touchy Feely (Paul O’Brien)

She’s out of that wonderful mare Liberthine, who we trained, and showed ability in all three bumpers last term but is now ready to go hurdling and jumps very well. This doesn’t look the strongest race and I’d be pretty confident she can make her presence felt.