February 2023

Hi all,

As we edge closer to the Cheltenham Festival which is less than three weeks away there’s an in interesting mix of big race action this weekend. Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the Grand National weights. And I also take a look ahead to Saturday’s Coral Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton.

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece you’ll find two horses for the tracker.

Key Commander ran a cracker at Carlisle and three out I thought he might go onto win. However, he had been up with the strong early pace and paid for those exertions in the closing stages. It was good effort to finish third in race which was set up for the closers. If you were on each way you got a handy return. The winner Tile Tapper was on my short list and he had to be brave to hold off Destiny Is All close home. If you ignored the winners previous performance at Kempton which came a bit too quick after a previous good run then your faith was rewarded.

There's a race to be won with Key Commander but he may have had a hard race yesterday.

Hi all,

I hope I didn’t put anyone off Coko Beach in the Punchestown feature. I wasn’t convinced of his stamina for 3m 4f. However, in my defence I did say that his good jumping always gives him a chance in these sort of races. And he jumped better than his rivals yesterday. The race also seemed to be modestly run which suited him.

Inside today’s main piece you’ll read my thoughts on Saturday’s big performances.

Hi all,

The less said about yesterday the better. Not so much the racing which was good and more on that in Monday’s column. No, it’s my punting which is to put it bluntly woeful at present.  Mind you its best to get the poor form out of the way before Cheltenham starts.

Onto Sunday’s action. The feature race across Britain & Ireland is at Punchestown with the QuinnBet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (2:10) the highlight of an eight race card.

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at three races on the Punchestown card.