WE enjoyed a good day last Saturday with winners at Doncaster and Cheltenham and I was very pleased with Santini in the Cotswold Chase. I still think there is plenty of improvement to come as he’s learning all the time and that run will have done him the world of good. He absolutely thrives on work and has come out of the race bouncing so it’s all systems go for the Gold Cup and barring mishap, he’ll go straight there.

Ok Corral was excellent at Doncaster and we may have a Grand National contender on our hands as he jumps and stays very well. Whether he runs beforehand, I’ve not yet discussed it with JP but to be honest there aren’t too many options left anyway and he doesn’t necessarily need to go again as he runs well fresh.

I was delighted with Mister Fisher who jumped and travelled very well under a great ride by James Bowen. We went there simply because it was probably the best ground we were going to find and despite it being over two miles, I think his future lies over further and the Marsh Chase (Ex JLT) is probably what we’re looking at.

Dame De Compagnie got put up 8lbs for winning at Cheltenham in December but she’s in great form and the plan is for her to got straight back to Prestbury Park for the Coral Cup.

Next Saturday is the Betfair Hurdle and Never Adapt and Mill Green are very much on the list for that and Countister will work tomorrow so we’ll have a clearer idea about her participation after tomorrow morning. Altior schooled yesterday with Nico who was absolutely beaming afterwards and the plan remains the Game Spirit.

SANDOWN

12:40 Novices’ Hurdle

Palladium (Nico de Boinville)

He won as he liked over course and distance last time in the Unibet Casino Juvenile Hurdle against his own age group but he’s now going into novice company and taking on the older horses, simply because there aren’t too many juvenile races left. But he’s a very straightforward person with a great attitude. The ground will be testing but it was very soft last time so I’ve got no worries on that score. He’s not entered in the Triumph Hurdle and the Fred Winter is where we’d like to end up so he needs to go up a few pounds to even get in, therefore he needs to win!

1:50 Listed Contenders Hurdle

Call Me Lord (Daryl Jacob)

He proved that he actually can go left handed when winning the Unibet International Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, so that does open up plenty more options for us in the future, but he loves it around Sandown having won three races and been third in the Imperial Cup. The ground won’t be a problem and he’s been in great form at home. Colin Tizzard’s horse Eldorado Allen ran very well on his comeback and would be the obvious danger as I’d expect him to improve a fair bit but he finished behind one of ours, Mill Green, on that occasion and he wouldn’t be anywhere near as good as Call Me Lord.

2:25 G1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase

Champagne Platinum (Barry Geraghty)

He is learning over fences and needs plenty of time to warm up. He schooled yesterday and was very slow over the first two but then was brilliant once he’d got into the swing of things so don’t expect to see him doing anything too quick early on. He’s a very good horse and if he’s going to lose his novice status by the end of the season he might as well do it in this race on the way. This is a good renewal and Laurina is obviously the one to catch but our horse is in good form and can hopefully put up a decent show but I’m under no illusions as to the task he faces.

3:35 Handicap Chase

Dragon D’Estruval (Daryl Jacob)

He got put up 7lbs for winning nicely at Ludlow last time so he’s now up to 147 but a stiff test like this is just what he wants where he can get into a nice rhythm and creep into the race. This is a very competitive affair and it’s going to turn into a real slog but he’s used to running in races like this from his days in France so should hopefully put up a solid performance.

SUNDAY – MUSSELBURGH

2:15 Novices’ Hurdle

Fred (Daryl Jacob)

He’s in good form and having won around Kempton, he should also find this track to his liking. I like his attitude and he jumps well so should be capable of running a very big race. He’s in the Supreme but that certainly isn’t anywhere close to being on the radar at this stage.