These were the comments when i put this horse last time... "Clearly not the force he once was and hasn't won since the Ayr Silver Cup in 2013. He is a whopping 32lbs lower (39lbs if you add on Nathan Evan's allowance) than that day and can come strong at the finish from a good pace. At the price we can play each way and i would be disappointed if he wasn't placed." He was a non runner that day but the same pretty much applies today. He has dropped a lot which represents the fact he isn't up to what he used to achieve but his last run was better and i believe he is an each way steal.
7:15 WOLVERHAMPTON
7. SAN QUENTIN (12/1 - William Hill)
Another one who we have tipped up before and he duly won for us that day and won it nicely. He was put up another 6lbs for that and only managed third back at Chelmsford last time. That race wasn't run to suit and will prefer a stronger gallop today so at 12/1 he is one to take each way.
THURSDAY 4TH JANUARY 2016
1:50 SOUTHWELL
2. ANCIENT CROSS (15/2 - Bet365)
Clearly not the force he once was and hasn't won since the Ayr Silver Cup in 2013. He is a whopping 32lbs lower (39lbs if you add on Nathan Evan's allowance) than that day and can come strong at the finish from a good pace. At the price we can play each way and i would be disappointed if he wasn't placed.
3:35 MEYDAN
6. HOTOTO (16/1 - SkyBet)
ERTIJAAL (6/4) will be very hard to beat in this race after blitzing rivals last time. He could be in a different league to these so we are taking our selection each way. He was pretty useful for Kevin Ryan when trained on these shores but has thrived in Dubai since he moved there a few years back. He goes well fresh and will hopefully push the likely winner all the way.
MONDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 2016
2:00 WOLVERHAMPTON
4. NOVABRIDGE (25/1 - Ladbrokes)
In and out performer who is better when ridden handy. That hasn't happened in his last couple of races so he is better than the bare results of those races. Jockey bookings usually give a good indication in these events and besides Simon Walker and Serena Brotherton then Bryony Hampson would be the best of the rest of these. The trip is a slight concern and i would have preferred this to be 5 furlongs but at a massive price he could be worth a small punt each way.
TUESDAY 26TH JANUARY 2016
3:25 WETHERBY
1. BALLYBOLLEY (15/2 - Bet Victor)
Not transferred his smart bumper and hurdles ability over the larger obstacles as of yet but he has been getting gradually better with each run and with 8 runners is a good price each way.
MONDAY 25TH JANUARY 2016
3:35 NEWCASTLE
3. VICTOR HEWGO (8/1 - Bet 365)
Looked progressive in 2014 when winning a couple impressively and also getting within a length of Holywell (who won at the Cheltenham Festival next time out). He has clearly had his problems and will have needed his comeback at Doncaster. Last time i thought he was just creeping into the race before coming to grief and if that hasn't dented his confidence he represents a good each way bet here.
FRIDAY 22ND JANUARY 2016
3:05 LINGFIELD
4. PRIMROSE VALLEY (14/1 - Bet Victor, Paddy Power)
Has a decent record on the all weather and wasn't disgraced on the turf last season. She will need to be at her best in this competitive race but is a good price each way.
5:45 WOLVERHAMPTON
1. STEP ON IT (7/4 - Bet 365)
Couldn't have won any easier last time when heavily eased a furlong from home. Has only been raised 6lbs for that and he looks well above that rise (he will be due to carry another 3lbs after this race).
6:15 WOLVERHAMPTON
3. MARIEE (11/10 - Bet 365)
Not often that i put such a short price up on here but she was impressive on debut and could be nice filly.
THURSDAY 21ST JANUARY 2016
3:35 MEYDAN
1. STEPPER POINT (13/2 - William Hill)
This lad is normally seen in Group races so this handicap represents a drop on class. He had looked amiss a couple of times last season most notably in the Nunthorpe but if all is well once again then this price could be huge. With 8 runners declared it also give you value if you chose to go each way paying first three.
5:40 CHELMSFORD CITY
5. MONSIEUR CHEVALIER (9/2 - Bet365)
Formerly very smart having won a Group 3 and 2 listed races. He clearly is no where near that ability these days but he still knows how to win. He has won 4 of the 5 claimers he has contested and has been running in better races than this. There shouldn't be much between him and Gaelic Silver but at the prices he represents by far the better value.
WEDNESDAY 20TH JANUARY 2016
2:20 MUSSELBURGH
1. STONEHAM (7/2 - Ladbrokes)
Looked to be progressing nicely this season before being pitched in too deep at Cheltenham. At one point i thought she had a place chance so potentially the distance might have got her beat as much as the grade. This is much more realistic however and i'd be disappointed not to see her involved.
MONDAY 18TH JANUARY 2016
3:30 WOLVERHAMPTON
1. CUSTARD THE DRAGON (11/2 - Bet Victor)
Caught my eye on debut at Leicester last year before running better next time out. Patrick O'Donnell takes a useful 5lbs off his back and given his opening mark of 65 looks to be a little lenient he could have a something in hand. At the price i would be playing each way 1/4 odds.
FRIDAY 15TH JANUARY 2016
4:00 LINGFIELD
4. BOXING SHADOWS (15/8 - Bet365)
Usually needs a couple of outings before he comes to the fore but he was mugged on the line last week on his comeback run and if he's in the same heart here then he should take the beating.
THURSDAY 14TH JANUARY 2016
12:30 SOUTHWELL
7. SHAWKANTANGO (7/1 - Paddy Power, Bet Victor)
Seems in good heart of late and was finishing well behind a hotpot last time. He's a notoriously slow starter but this 8 times course and distance winner looks a good price each way with 8 runners.
3:35 MEYDAN
7. POLAR RIVER (9/4 - Betfair Sportsbook)
Couldn't have been more impressive when winning a 6 furlong maiden here last month. Sam Hitchcott who rode her was very impressed and was convinced she would improve for a step up in trip. The time of that race was marginally outside the record at Meydan and, although this field includes some potentially nice animals, she could prove to be very smart indeed.
5:40 CHELMSFORD CITY
1. SAN QUENTIN (11/4 - Paddy Power, Bet Victor)
Been holding his form relatively well of late and carries a 6lb penalty for a success at Kempton last week. That might not be enough to stop him here as he was going away at the end.