Ascot

2.25pm

Colonial Dreams

He didn’t run up to his best over 2m5f at Christmas at Kempton last time, and didn’t finish his race off as well as it looked like he was going to at one stage. Maybe he needed it a bit more than we thought – that was his first run since May , after all – and at least he has been dropped 2lb for it and he is also stepping down a couple of furlongs, which may suit him better. He is a course and distance winner who will enjoy the ground and I think a mark of 129 underestimates his talent. I am expecting a better run from him here.

3.00pm

Divine Spear

He clearly disappointed on his return at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, when I was never really happy with him at any stage. But horses have off-days, like us all, and he has a similar profile to Colonial Dreams in that he has been dropped 2lb and returns to a course that he has won at. Indeed, if he returns to the form of his win over 2m1f here last season then he would have an excellent chance. He clearly has to show a lot more than at Cheltenham last time, though. The ground was maybe too quick for him at Cheltenham, so we are hoping for a bit of rain for him.

3.35pm

Altior

It’s obviously disappointing for all concerned that there are only three runners in the Clarence House, but we can’t influence that. And it is a similar story when it comes to assessing Altior again, I am afraid. Basically nothing new to report. I do think he has been hugely impressive in differing ways in his two victories this season though, really toughing it out to beat Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek and then showing far more exuberance when easing clear of today’s rival Diego Du Charmil in the Unibet Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton. It really was some thrill to ride him there. Christmas didn’t go to plan for all our horses, but he eased away any blues at Kempton. We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact what a good horse Fox Norton was a couple of years ago and, as ever, you are a fool if you go into any race over-confident. But we know how good Altior is, and everything looks in place for him yet again.

4.05pm

Downtown Getaway

He came to us from Ireland with a fair reputation, and a price tag to accompany it, after winning his bumper impressively. And, although he was beaten at Newbury on his debut for us and the winner was well beaten at Warwick last week, we had to be delighted with that run. He did remarkably well to get back into the race after a bad mistake there, so the promise of that performance was there for all to see. We think a fair bit of him, and hopefully he can show that here, for all that it looks a decent race.