I WAS pleased with Chantry House at Wetherby in the week, in fact, I was more than pleased, I thought he was very impressive and I loved the way he did it. He had surgery on his back after disappointing at Cheltenham the time before which has clearly worked and all roads now lead back to Prestbury Park for the Marsh Chase where he would appear to have a very realistic chance.

We entered Dame De Compagnie in a Novice Chase at Ludlow merely as a precaution and she will not go there. I have had lots of conversations with JP, AP, NDB and everyone else who has an opinion and the general consensus was that if she was going to run in the Mares’ Chase she’d obviously need another run over fences but the plan at the moment is very much to switch back to Hurdles and have a crack at the Mares Hurdle. The news that Benie Des Dieux will not take her chance clearly made our decision a little easier because it opens up the race a lot more.

SATURDAY – ASCOT

1:15 Novices’ Hurdle

Gallyhill (Nico de Boinville)

He got the job done at Newbury last time when he really needed it and the trip was very much on the short side so the step up to two and a half (or just under) will suit. He is a very inexperienced horse so this may come a year to soon to be thinking about Cheltenham but at least we should have a better idea as to where we stand after this. He has lots of potential and I hope that run at Newbury has sharpened him up, because it will need to, but we like him and I think he is a lovely horse for the future.

3:00 Handicap Hurdle

L’ami Serge (Daryl Jacob)

It’s great to get the old boy back out again and I’m hopeful that he’s retained plenty of ability. He takes a bit of knowing but Daryl gets on well with him and his record fresh is very good which is a plus but, at his age, this is an extremely big ask first time out and it’s been a long time since he last got his head in front, albeit it was in the French Champion Hurdle!

HAYDOCK

2:05 G2 Rendlesham Hurdle

On The Blind Side (James Bowen)

He’s been a revelation since winning a Jumpers Bumper around this time last year and the switch back to hurdles has really helped, too. The track, trip and ground won’t be an issue and he goes there with a solid chance but this is a much more competitive race than the one he won at Market Rasen last time.

3:14 Juvenile Hurdle

Progressive (James Bowen)

She was a little free at Doncaster last time which didn’t help her chance and that was quite a competitive race, although this doesn’t look any easier to be honest! After this she will be qualified to run in the Northern Lights Series Final at Musselburgh on March 26th so a nice run here would set her up nicely for that valuable prize.

3:50 Handicap Hurdle

Champagne Platinum (James Bowen)

I was very pleased with his performance at Newbury on his first run back because I expected him to improve for it and the step back up to three miles will help as well. Obviously it will be very difficult to give weight all round but he’s a talented horse and this should be a nice stepping stone to the Pertemps next month.