CHELTENHAM

12:15 – Listed Hurdle

I Am Maximus (Nico De Boinville)
I was really impressed with him at Newbury last time where he’d clearly come on for his first run (at Exeter) and pulled well clear of the second. He is crying out for this trip and we know he likes the track because he won his bumper here when beating My Drogo on soft ground. He’s extremely high class and our best chance of the day.

Mot A Mot (James Bowen)
Things didn’t go right for him at Exeter when he made a bad mistake at the second flight after which he was never happy. But luckily we have found the answer to it once his was looked at by our physiotherapist who said he was extremely sore down his scapular, shoulder and neck, which sort of explains why he never jumped a twig afterwards, so he’s been treated for all of that and hopefully he’ll be much better here. He loves soft ground and a stiff two and a half around here will suit him well.

12:50 – Handicap Chase

Brave Eagle (Nico De Boinville)
He’s a tough handicapper who boasts some decent form and didn’t run all that bad at Newbury last time, although the ground was quite tacky in the end and I fear soft going, like it will be here, is also not what he wants. So I would have big concerns from that point of view; but he does jump and stay.

1:25 – G2 Dipper Novices’ Chase

Gallyhill (Nico De Boinville)
He’s a big brute of a horse who we’ve always liked but we’re yet to see what he can really do. Unfortunately he hit the deck two out at Exeter on his first run back, and over fences, but he’s done plenty of schooling since and his work has been good. I have to admit he’s got a bit to find but that first outing will have blown the cobwebs and let’s hope he still has a bright future.

2:00 – G3 Chase

Janika (James Bowen)
He’s very good on his day and has actually run some of his best races around here and the handicapper is finally dropping him a few pounds, although he’s still plenty high enough for what he’s achieved recently. We’ve tinkered with his wind and that first run at Chepstow should put him spot on.

3:10 – G2 Relkeel Hurdle

On The Blind Side (Nico De Boinville)
He’s a standing dish in these sort of races and the ground is definitely in his favour. Everyone knows his form as well as me so there’s nothing I can really add that you don’t already know. The track, trip and ground are all what he wants so fingers crossed he can run well.

3:50 – Bumper

Royal Max (Nico De Boinville)
He’s got a very smart pedigree and I have to admit his work has been very good, especially when we’ve been able to get him on the grass. This race has always been the plan and he has a very good chance.