Author: Paul Davidson

2m Holden Plant Rentals Novice Handicap Hurdle A fiendishly competitive handicap hurdle over at Leopardstown on Boxing Day to pick through. I am going to take a chance on MRS MILNER continuing her progress on just her fourth career start. Her first hurdles start under rules saw Mrs Milner come…

2m Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle The Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle has seen some impressive winners in recent years with the likes of City Island, Supasundae and Double Irish all tasting success before going to claim big victories in their careers. This year’s renewal looks equally competitive with several major players.…

3m Dave Dawes Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (Class 1) The Silver Cup Handicap looks wide open at Ascot on Saturday judging by the market and currently Yaltari is heading the market for Venetia Williams. He races off a nice mark and will love the ground. But he has…

2m4½f Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1) (4yo+) Frodon picked up his second victory in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup before going on to claim the Ryanair Chase last season. He was chased home by Cepage, who comes into this on a 12lbs higher mark after…

3m2f Randox Health Becher Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1) Not many horses have managed to win the Becher Chase and the Grand National in one season, although these lot will be hoping to do the mighty double. I can see the logic in Mulcahy’s Hill being favourite for this…

2m Lexus Melbourne Cup (Group 1 Handicap) (3yo+) I hate to see the back of the flat season. But, with it, comes the Melbourne Cup. The ultimate international staying handicap has last year’s winner Cross Counter lining up for back-to-back wins. The first since Makybe Diva managed to achieve the…

1m Breeders’ Cup Mile (Grade 1) (3yo+) Circus Maximus is seeking to take the Breeders’ Cup Mile for Coolmore and is certainly the leading European raider on his best form. But he’s more of a grinding-type and you can see him possibly struggling to handle the pace of this race…

1m Balmoral Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+) Amadeo Modigliani has been backed in off-the-boards since his confirmation by Coolmore this week. He is certainly one of the most unexposed. But this will be a whole new experience racing in this sort of handicap and I’m not convinced it will suit. One…

2m2f Emirates Cesarewitch Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+) I love the Cesarewitch and this is another cracking renewal at Newmarket. Buildmeupbuttercup is quite rightly popular in the market with Frankie Dettori on board for last year’s winner Willie Mullins. The favourite looks a bit too short a price as…

7f Qatar Prix de la Foret (Group 1) (3yo+) The Prix de la Foret market is headed by City Light, who finished down the field in the Prix de L’Abbaye on Arc day last season. He looked pretty impressive in a Group 3 over this course and distance three weeks…