IT WAS very interesting to read the comments from Paul Nicholls regarding Altior and his participation in the King George so I would like to assure everyone that, all being well, the intention is still very much to take him to Kempton on Boxing Day. He has come out of Ascot in good form and we still have plenty of time to get ready for the King George. He is by no means a definite runner, as anything can happen in this game, but as it stands at the moment I see no reason why we wouldn’t go. He wasn’t quite match fit on ground which was plenty soft enough on Saturday but he got the trip and I’m by no means afraid to take Cyrname on again.

NEWBURY – FRIDAY

12:15 Maiden Hurdle

Son Of Camas (Nico de Boinville)

After disappointing very badly at Punchestown in April, when it was actually quite embarrassing, he made amends at Newbury last time when impressing in his Bumper and the plan has always been to go straight over hurdles as he’d already schooled before his first run, but I thought a bumper would give him some more confidence, which he’s now got, and he looks a very nice prospect. Newbury Maidens are always very good, and this isn’t any different, but he’s a Newbury type of horse and I wouldn’t swop him for anything.

1:20 Novices’ Hurdle

Grand Mogul (Nico de Boinville)

He was bought out of Gordon Elliott’s after winning a bumper and is a grand stamp of a horse with a very bright future. There is absolutely no significance with regards to jockey bookings; if it was a two horse race I still wouldn’t know which one to pick as they are both very good novices. He has been working quite nicely of late and I’m hopeful he can run a big race.

It Sure Is (Jerry McGrath)

I really like this horse and think he has a very bright future. He arrived here after winning a Point to Point in Ireland and has done everything we’ve asked of him at home. We’re starting out over 2m4f as he’s going to get further and I’ll be disappointed if he isn’t able to finish in the first three.

1:50 Handicap Chase

O O Seven (Nico de Boinville) 9/1*

He’s racing off a career high mark which will make things difficult but he’s fit and well and will like the ground. This trip is his optimum and I’ve been happy with his work but it does look a tough ask first time out.

Wenyerreadyfreddie (Jerry McGrath) 10/1*

He picked up an injury after running at Newbury last December and then broke a blood vessel at Cheltenham when we got him back in April so we’ve had to be quite patient but all is well now and it will be better ground here than most places, I suspect. He’s been kept on 148 but this trip will suit and he should run a decent race.

2:25 G2 Berkshire Novices’ Chase

Champ (Barry Geraghty) 11/10*

He was entered over three miles on Saturday but he’s certainly got the pace to cope with the drop back to 2m4f and as Barry will be up at Newcastle to ride Buveur D’Air it made sense to run today and everything has gone well since his chase debut earlier this month. Black Op brings some decent form into the race and was impressive at Stratford so shouldn’t be underestimated but I’m extremely happy with Champ, as is Barry who has done a lot of work on him, and we’re both looking forward to the race.

We have plenty of runners up and down the country on Saturday including Buveur D’Air who starts his route to the Unibet Champion Hurdle in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle so very sure to follow @sevenbarrows and @unibetracing for all the latest on our stable runners.

*Odds as of 2.40pm Thursday. Prices are subject to change.