It’s been a steadier week for me. The weather’s been causing havoc which meant I ended up going to Newcastle on Saturday… Luckily the horse won which made the 7hr journey worthwhile! A nice horse, Famous Bridge won well at Ayr and A Different Kind, who is another nice young horse, won well on Wednesday giving 5lbs to a decent flat horse trained by Venetia Williams.
I’m at Sandown tomorrow where I have four rides including one in the Grade 1…
Saturday 4th December – Sandown:
12.40pm – Could be Trouble
She looked fairly progressive when winning three hurdle races over 2m4f but her last run, a 2m chase, just didn’t suit. It was deep ground, and she made a couple of careful jumps which got her detached. She’s back over hurdles tomorrow and I think, off her previous form, she has an each-way chance, although it will be the most competitive race she’s run in. I don’t think it will be an easy race so I’m hopeful rather than confident.
1.50pm – Minella Drama (Grade 1)
He was impressive on his first run at Uttoxeter, and we ran him again quite quickly which probably didn’t suit. He still ran well despite it being a rather messy race, but it was a race I think he could have won with a clearer run. He’s in good form at home and worked well on Wednesday. Obviously, he’s going to need to improve but I’m hopeful he’s got every chance and will run a big race, although you can never be too confident in a Grade 1.
3pm – Red Infantry
He’s not a horse I know much about – he’s been around a while, been running in staying handicap chases and won the Grimthorpe handicap chase at Doncaster last year which probably turned out a weak enough event. Ian Williams is a good trainer and wouldn’t be sending him to Sandown if he didn’t’ think he has a chance so hopefully he’ll run well.
3.35pm – Navajo Pass
He won the Champion Hurdle trial last year (Grade 2) and finished a well beaten 3rd in the Kingwell at Wincanton behind Goshen and Song For Someone. Both Navajo Pass and Minella Drama would prefer some rain so anything Sandown get will help their cause. He’s a decent horse and is in good form at home but it’s his first run of the season and he’s carrying top weight in a competitive handicap hurdle so it’s going to be fairly tough for him.
Fingers crossed he runs a decent race and wherever he finishes, I think he’ll improve for the run which doesn’t mean to say he doesn’t have a chance… He absolutely does have a chance!