Author: Joel Roberts

We’ve had no rain this winter and good ground prevails with Kempton officially ‘good’ on Lanzarote Hurdle day. Flat Kempton on such going demands a bit of speed, which is why ex-flat horses often show their best form in those conditions, and that’s what I’m looking for. The favourite Kloud…

With only six runners and the yard in top form, SOUTHFIELD STONE looks a very puntable price at 15/2 for the Grade 1 Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown. He’s not come off the bridle in three starts this term and could be anything at this stage, so he’s worth chancing given the…

Happy New Year from 2pts win, and make your first bet of the year DEFI DU SEUIL at 3/1 in the 13.25 at Cheltenham. A 3lb penalty for beating the Grade 1-placed Topofthegame, as well as today’s foe Black Op, might not be able to stop him as that’s very solid form…

Kempton’s The King George VI Chase and Leopardstown’s Savills Chase have shaken up the Cheltenham Gold Cup market with the spoils going to two of the new kids on the block, while some old favourites bounced back to form. Britain dominated last year’s Gold Cup as Native River got his…

We’ve enjoyed a profitable Christmas of punting so far after La Bague Au Roi (8/1) and Elegant Escape (11/2) returned winners – and while the British action takes a break before Saturday, Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival rolls on to Friday’s card where the Savills Chase, formerly the Lexus, is the feature.…

This year’s King George looks well up to scratch, yet it’s my head that’s received most of the scratching because you could make a case for most of the field. The first observation to make is defending champion and Gold Cup-second Might Bite’s drifting price – he’s out to 4/1…

Santini is a solid favourite for the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase but I’m keen to take him on as he’s graduated from a generation of novice hurdlers who have been pants in open company over hurdles this season, and the best of his form last year hasn’t yet…

SAM SPINNER has to be the bet in Ascot’s 2.25 Long Walk Hurdle after winning the race cosily last year. He’s a generous 6/1 despite boasting the best form in the race, but does have to improve markedly on both his seasonal reappearance – where he was brought down when…

Last year’s novice hurdlers have been very disappointing so far this season so Summerville Boy isn’t the most imposing favourite for the Grade 2 International Hurdle – he might want softer ground than this and his jumping is rubbish too. The New One has won this three times so must…

The Ladbrokes Trophy is the big race of the weekend, although we’ve not got the best renewal to look forward to with only 14 runners and none in the Gold Cup picture – none yet, anyway. I like backing classy horses in this race – those with Grade 1 hopes…