NEWBURY
12:05 Listed Mares’ Hurdle
Floressa (Nico de Boinville)
She was unlucky not to win over course and distance last time behind Silver Forever because of making a horlicks of the last but she does at least escape a penalty, so in effect we’re 3lbs better off for a short head defeat which could be enough to swing things, although I think the ground is a slight negative which a quite a concern. That said, we’ve always liked her and I’ve been happy with everything in her work so I’d be quite hopeful.
1:15 Handicap Chase
Divine Spear (Nico de Boinville)
He probably wouldn’t want the ground too soft but has come down to a reasonable mark and this trip suits him. Things haven’t really gone his way from time to time but everything has been very smooth for quite a while and there is still plenty of ability in the tank. I’m look forward to getting him out again and wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him go very close.
1:50 Handicap Hurdle
Downtown Getaway (Nico de Boinville)
We’ve always thought a great deal of this horse and I believe there is still plenty of improvement in him. He wasn’t disgraced in a Grade One behind Champ at Aintree in April but the drop back in trip will suit and he’s obviously taking a big step down in class (first Handicap) off a mark which could be quite workable and he’ll have no issue with the ground.
The Cashel Man (Jerry McGrath)
He’s stays very well on the flat and is a versatile horse who has some very good form behind the likes of Reserve Tank and Pym. His work has been very good and he should handle the ground.
Soul Emotion (James Bowen)
It’s been a long road back for him after Ascot but I’m delighted that he’s with us and this looks a very good starting point. Ascot was over three miles (behind Paisley Park) but this distance is equally fine and I’m just glad to see him out again as it was very much looking like touch and go this time last year. He doesn’t really jump a fence, which is a shame as he’s certainly built for chasing, so we’re sticking to hurdles and he goes well fresh.
2:25 Listed Hurdle
Epatante (Aidan Coleman)
She is a very high class mare who has plenty of ability and we’re leaving the hood off as she doesn’t really need it. This is a good point to start her season off and Aidan has ridden her plenty at home and is giving me very good vibes therefore I’m confident she can run a big race.
Elusive Belle (Sam Waley-Cohen)
She is a very sweet filly who is still open to plenty of improvement and her work coming into this has been excellent. We’re keeping the hood on to help her relax as she’s quite sharp but I’m very happy with her and expect a bold show.
French Crusader (Nico de Boinville)
He was very progressive before picking up an issue which has kept him off the track since last November so he’ll definitely improve for the run. His best form is arguably on better ground but he won three of his six races and likes the track as his course and distance victory will testify. I quite like him.
3:00 Chase
Ok Corral (Aidan Coleman)
It was a bit of a disaster going into the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March as he suffered a severe reaction to his flu jab and a massive lump, the size of a golf ball, appeared on his neck so he wasn’t really quite right going into it, but all is absolutely fine now and he arrives here in very good form having enjoyed a day out at the track a couple of weeks ago when AP rode him in an easy piece of work. We’ve won this with a couple of our second novices so I’m hopeful this lad can continue our good record.
On The Blind Side (Nico de Boinville)
He probably got a little too far back last time so he certainly has to sharpen up a bit but has lots of ability and that run at Ascot would have put him spot on for this. There is definitely a big race in him and I can easily see him running a huge race at a track that will really suit.
Beware The Bear (Jerry McGrath)
He’ll do his own thing out the back again and then gradually creep towards the front in his own time. He’s a few pounds higher this year (fourth in 2018) but Jerry gets on very well with him and he’ll have absolutely no qualms with the ground.
Brave Eagle (James Bowen)
We are sort of forced into races like this because of all the winning he did during the summer which has got him to a mark of 158, but he is extremely consistent and has a great attitude, although I am rather concerned about the soft ground.
3:40 Handicap Chase
Whatswrongwithyou (Nico de Boinville)
He’ll have no issues with the ground and will probably be going over a bit further in a minute but he’s been given a chance by the handicapper and had a small wind procedure during the summer which will help his chance. He jumps well and I’m very happy with him.
NEWCASTLE
2:05 G1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle
Buveur D’Air (Barry Geraghty)
Everything has gone swimmingly in the preparation for this and we treated him for Kissing Spine over the summer so he’s come back in rude health. Hopefully the race will be on as I really want to get a run into him before the Christmas Hurdle so I’ll be doing everything I can to try and have it restaged this week if Newcastle is abandoned.
