CHELTENHAM

12:45 Novices’ Chase

Mister Fisher (Nico de Boinville)

He put up a good performance on chase debut in what has worked out to be a decent race at Warwick where he was giving 6lbs to the winner but I thought he jumped well and he’ll strip much fitter for it too. He’s a big strong gelding who is built for chasing and the step up to two and a half will be in his favour.

Champagne Platinum (Barry Geraghty)

We’ve always thought a great deal of him and he’s come from the Point to Point field so will probably end up over further, but this is a very good starting point and his schooling has been excellent. He picked up an issue after winning at Newbury last December which kept him off until April, when he probably wasn’t quite tuned up for Punchestown, but he’s been ready to go for a while and I’ve been very happy with his work so hopefully he can go very well.

1:20 Handicap Chase

Theinval (Jerry McGrath)

He’s much better suited to good ground so I’ll be keeping an eye on conditions but he’s in good form so might as well have a go. It’s a small field but still looks quite competitive therefore if he can finish in the money, I’ll be delighted.

2:30 G2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Igor (Sam Waley Cohen)

He’s been with us for a quite while, in fact the Maiden Hurdle he won at Ascot last month, he’d previously finished second in the year before! We’ve been very patient with him which has paid off as he’s developed into a lovely horse and improving all the time. He was very impressive at Ascot where he seemed to relish the ground and I think he’ll be even better over three miles.

Valtor (James Bowen)

We took advantage of his novice status at Ascot last time and I shouldn’t imagine there are many ten year olds (rising 11) who are running in Grade 2 Novices, but this is where we’re at and it will be interesting to see how he performs in this field. He has oodles of experience and stays well so will hopefully put up a decent effort.

3:05 G2 Unibet International Hurdle

Pentland Hills (Nico de Boinville)

This has long been the plan and he’s in absolutely great form at home and schooling very well. This time last year I’d never even heard of him but he arrived in the early spring and we started him off in a small juvenile at Plumpton and the rest, as they say, is history. His jumping is excellent and Nico has always liked him, in fact he was quite sweet on him going into the Triumph, I must say. The performance he put up at Aintree was brilliant and as he wasn’t overly raced on the flat hopefully he’ll ‘train on’ as it can sometimes be quite tough for these ex juveniles who’ve had busy flat campaigns prior to going jumping. I wouldn’t think he’d want it like a bog but he’s in great shape and we’ll know a lot more about whether he’s a Unibet Champion Hurdle contender after today.

Call Me Lord (James Bowen)

We’ve always said he has to go right handed as he hung quite badly but we seem to have eradicated that and if he’s even going to end up at something like the Festival he has to go left handed at some stage so we’re coming here and giving it a go. He has actually won going this way round at Compeigne a few years ago so we shouldn’t write it off completely and his comeback run at Ascot was excellent. A stiff test will suit and he should run a huge race.

3:40 Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

Dame De Compagnie (Barry Geraghty)

She put up a very good performance in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle on her seasonal debut where she took a good blow but stayed on to finish her race well so she’ll certainly be much sharper for that run. The step back up to 2m4f is massively in her favour and she goes there with a favourites chance.

Lust For Glory (Sam Waley Cohen)

I have a lot of time for this mare and I think she has improved plenty for her first run of the season at Ascot last time. We’re going up in trip but she’s already won a Point to Point so will have no problem staying and the ground isn’t an issue as well.

DONCASTER

2:45 G2 Summit Juvenile Hurdle

Tombee Du Ciel (James Reveley)

She’s new to us from France but is a very likeable person who has done everything we’ve asked. This is a nice race to win and we should know a lot more about her after the race. She receives 7lbs from all the other runners so I’d be quite hopeful that she can put up a big performance and I'd love to get some black type with her.