WITH the countdown to Cheltenham almost over we have very few runners this weekend and it’s now just a case of keeping everything crossed that nothing falls by the wayside and that they all get there in one piece. It really is the most tense time for all trainers and owners across the land, not to mention jockeys who simply cannot afford to pick up a ban, or god forbid an injury, which unfortunately happened to James Bowen last week when he broke his arm at Huntingdon. It’s a terrible shame for him because he had plenty of rides but it’s also bad news for all of us because James is an integral part of the team at Seven Barrows and his input on schooling and work mornings cannot be underestimated and he does so much behind the scenes. Let’s hope he’s back in time for Aintree.

I’m pleased to say that all went well on our annual gallop morning at Kempton on Tuesday and Constitution Hill really enjoyed his away day. He is, of course, the first big gun we have to fire at Cheltenham a week on Tuesday in the Unibet Champion Hurdle and I’m very much looking forward to talking about him and all of our other intended runners at the Unibet Cheltenham Festival Preview which is going to be ‘streamed live’ (whatever that is?) on YouTube from 7:30pm on Wednesday 8^th March. Nico will also be on the panel and I’m told top pro punter Andy Holding will be there alongside Jane Mangan who will undoubtedly bring plenty of Irish wit to proceedings so I do hope you can tune in on the evening.

As I say, a quiet weekend for us but my thoughts on Saturday’s runners are below: 

NEWBURY

 3:25

Gipsey De Choisel (Daryl Jacob)

He’s quite a fragile person so hasn’t been out as much as we’d like but he is a smart horse and I think this is a very suitable race for him. There’s not been much rain around which is a slight concern but he won on Good at Warwick in May and a handicap mark of 129 looks workable. He’s in good form at home and I rate his chance reasonably highly here.

5:10

Meadowsuite (Nico De Boinville)

She’s a lovely mare by Spanish Moon who has done plenty of work at home so is ready for a day out and this looks a nice starting point. We’ve already done her wind; therefore we’ll know a lot more about her after this and I hope she’ll run respectably.

DONCASTER

1:00

Park Hill Dancer (Robbie Dunne)

He ran much too keen the other day, and with only four runners here I do fear it may be a similar story again, so if no one wants to make it we may let him bowl along in front and see if he’ll settle. We’re bringing him back in trip a little bit which will help and hopefully this is a good opportunity for him.