Author: Paul Davidson

2m (Old) Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) AMARILLO SKY has been a huge improver during his first season over fences. Trained by Colin Tizzard, he has looked an incredible jumper and a slick traveller and looks to have the right credentials…

3m1f (Old) Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)   Vintage Clouds is competing in his fifth Ultima Handicap Chase and a victory this year would be even more baffling with the forecast better going for day 1.   7 to 9 year-olds have had the better of it in this race with…

2m4f (2m3f200y) (Old) Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)   Black Tears won the Grade 3 Quevega Mares’ Hurdle at Punchestown less that one month before The Festival last year on her way to winning the Close Brothers Mares’…

4m1½f Vertem Eider Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5yo+) Unseasonably quick ground looks to be on the cards at Newastle for the marathon four-mile plus Vertem Eider Chase on Saturday afternoon. Plenty of old-time marathon stayers coming into this, but you can’t keep me away from backing ECLAIR SURF again who…

3m4f Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade B) (5yo+) Plenty of question marks exist over several of these running in the Irish Grand National Trial with The Big Dog seeking to win this race back-to-back. He comes into this off a 9lbs higher mark, but was rather disappointing in…

2m5½f  (2m5f61y) Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade A)  (5yo+) It typically pays to follow an unexposed novice-type in this handicap at Leopardstown and whilst Blackbow looks interesting on his handicap debut. MAX FLAMINGO and FAKIR D’ALENE have both shown enough in their short chasing career to expect that they can take a…

2m4½f (New) Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) A tricky looking affair in this handicap, but I am going to take a chance on GALAHAD QUEST, who is still relatively young at the age of six and appears to have more potential…

3m1f Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade A) (5yo+) This is one of the best renewals of the Thyestes for many a year with winners often going on to run Grand Nationals and even Gold Cups. Longhouse Poet has received a significant share of the ante-post betting and he currently occupies…

3m5f Agetur UK Ltd Classic Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) Gericault Roque does look like a progressive looking novice chaser, but he hasn’t managed to get his head in front this season, yet has been raised 9lbs for those defeats. He remains with potential but looks…

2m5f Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) Party Business was putting in a decent run in the Grade 1 Challow Novice hurdle last time out before coming down two hurdles from home. He may very well have been runner-up at Newbury, but he has to…