Cheltenham

1.50pm

Mister Fisher

He was due to run in this race at Huntingdon on Sunday, and hopefully it is a blessing in disguise that the meeting was abandoned, as it would have been very heavy ground there.  He absolutely hated the ground here last month, so I hope that it doesn’t get similarly deep on Friday, as there is some rain forecast.  We hope he could make up into a Grade 1 horse this season when getting a decent surface, as he showed a high level of form last term, most obviously when fourth in the Marsh. This looks a good renewal of the Peterborough, and he has a 3lb penalty, but we expect a much better run from him here if the weather is kind. The current good to soft ground would be ideal.

3.00pm

Step Back

No Easysland and Potters Corner makes it easier for the rest of us, but the downside is that we now find ourselves shouldering top weight of 11st 12lb, having been set to carry 10st 4lb at the five-day stage. But we can’t change that and Step Back comes here after rediscovering his old form, winning his last two, and the horse he beat in the veterans’ race at Sandown last month was only just denied at that course last weekend. He is effectively 2lb well-in here and, if he takes to the challenge, then he obviously has a pretty good chance. The less rain the better for him though, we know that. He schooled over these fences this week, and apparently went very well, but I like to reserve my judgement on that front until they have done it in a racing environment. Hopefully, he will be just as good on race day.

3.35pm

On The Blind Side

He switched back to hurdles here last time and really dug deep for me. He is 5lb higher here, which is plenty enough for that narrow win, and he is another who certainly would prefer it if any substantial amount of rain stayed away, but of course he has his chance again in a competitive handicap. It does look very competitive, though.