The 2025 Welsh Grand National

A vintage renewal of the King George at Kempton earlier today, with The Jukebox Man (7/1), owned by Harry Redknapp, beating Banbridge (16/1) and Gaelic Warrior (9/4jf) a nose and a nose, and Jango Baie (9/4jf) half a length away in fourth.  

19 runners declared for tomorrow's Welsh Grand National (2.50 Chepstow) run over three miles six and a half furlongs; the going on the chase course is currently described as good to soft and the drying ground won't suit a few in this field.

Sent off 6/1 favourite for last year's renewal, Jubilee Express finished second, one and a half lengths behind Val Dancer, with stablemate Iwilldoit third and fourth horse Monbeg Genius a further ten lengths in arrears.

Sam Thomas' charge raced off 126 that day, Dylan Johnson claiming three. He races off 130 tomorrow, having beaten Collectors Item two and a half lengths here in the Trial over three miles three weeks ago (Pats Fancy over 50 lengths behind in sixth). That represented a commendable effort by the runner-up on seasonal debut; pilot Kevin Brogan dropped his whip just after two out and meets the winner four pounds better off.

Git Maker, second behind subsequent Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin in the 2024 Kim Muir, finished third in the Scottish Grand National the following month. The gelding likes soft ground; this looks to have been the target after a prep race over the Lingfield hurdles six and a half weeks ago to blow away the cobwebs.   

Unbeaten in three starts last season Mr Vango returned as good as ever three weeks ago, pipped a short head by Twig in the Becher at Aintree (Monbeg Genius pulled up) conceding a stone to the winner. The handicapper has raised him another three pounds for that effort and he now races off a mark 20 pounds higher than when beating Collectors Item one and a half lengths in the 2024 London National at Sandown. 

Rock My Way, fifth in the Scottish Grand National in April, went into several notebooks when jumping like a stag and shooting clear from two out to win the Berkshire National at Ascot 11 lengths. After the race handler Joe Tizzard said:

"He's always been consistent but he's never done anything like that. It was a beautiful performance to watch and he actually put himself in the Grand National picture after that."  

Drying ground will not be a concern.

Haiti Couleurs won the National Hunt Challenge Cup at Cheltenham in March and followed that up by winning the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse the following month. Rebecca Curtis' charge was awash with sweat in the preliminaries that day and, once again, on his first try in Graded company, he was on edge before the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month where, caught on the back foot at the start, he failed to establish a rhythm and never jumped with much fluency, eventually being pulled up before four out.

Subsequently the trainer said:

"He came back from Haydock quite sore on his sacroiliac joint which we had medicated the Monday after, it seems to have really helped." 

He has form on better ground - in receipt of seven pounds, he beat Uncle Bert 15 lengths at Aintree just over a year ago. Now in receipt of 18 pounds, that opponent is certainly weighted to reverse the form but his ability to see out the trip has to be taken on trust. 

Keep an eye on Haiti Couleurs in the preliminaries. 

O'Connell, best on soft, won this year's London National at Sandown (Hung Jury second, Tanganyika a disappointment and pulled up before The Pond Fence); Gavin Sheehan's move up the inside rail approaching two out proved decisive. Danny McMenamin, in fine form lately, takes over tomorrow but I'm not certain this track, which can favour those that race prominently, will suit O'Connell who is often played late for a turn of foot.

Intense Raffles, winner of the 2024 Irish Grand National,  faces a stiff task off top weight. He ran well for a long way in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last time but usually appreciates plenty of cut underfoot.

Collectors Item has some respectable efforts to his name including second in the 2024 London National behind Mr Vango - meets that rival 12 pounds better off - and beating Katate Dori in the Somerset National at Wincanton in January. He's three pounds 'well in' after that latest run behind Jubilee Express and won a novice hurdle at the track in 2022.

I thought Dom Of Mary a tad lucky to win at Newcastle last time. That day Ned Fox sent 2/1 favourite Zertakt into a clear lead between the final two flights but the gelding slowed markedly approaching the last, losing all momentum and allowing James Owen's charge to scoot away and win two and a quarter lengths. Dom Of Mary is one pound out of the handicap.

Incidentally Zertakt made amends at Cheltenham two weeks ago - handler Venetia Williams has the National Hunt Chase at the Festival in March as his target.

Nassalam won the 2023 renewal of this race 34 lengths on heavy ground off 145 - only five of the 19 to go to post completed. The handicapper duly clobbered Gary & Josh Moore's charge; back now to a mark of 145, he has been pulled up in five of his six starts since and underwent wind surgery last month.

Deafening Silence stayed on well enough when second behind Konfusion in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last time (Konfusion won the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby earlier today) but was some 15 lengths behind the winner. Trainer Dan Skelton is on record saying that the gelding wants soft ground and a gap between his races; this will be the first chase with more than eight runners he has contested.

Uncle Bert blew away his field over two and a half miles at Aintree earlier this month, recording his first chase win in four starts. Now rated 140, he's four pounds 'well in' here and in January won a Haydock hurdle over an extended three miles. He's a tough cookie and weighted to reverse placings with Haiti Couleurs on Aintree form from last year but he's not guaranteed to see out the marathon trip. 

Livin On Luco made all and stayed on dourly to hold Neo King a neck in the Southern National at Fontwell six weeks ago; last December he finished sixth at Cheltenham, some 69 lengths behind Haiti Couleurs. Another one racing from one pound out of the handicap.

Tanganyika failed to build on a promising seasonal return at Sandown last time while Hung Jury, one of two veterans in the field, had no answer to O'Connell's turn of foot when second in that same race; Hung Jury is another to race from out of the handicap. 

Back in 2023 Monbeg Genius won a couple of novice chases at this track. Fourth in last year's renewal off 144, he's two pounds better off here - a bad mistake four out put paid to any chance he might have held in the Becher on seasonal debut.

Where It All Began finished fourth in the 2024 Kim Muir, eighth behind Intense Raffles in the 2024 Irish Grand National but has shown no worthwhile form since, while Beaufort Scale - six pounds out of the handicap - remains a maiden over fences and is a reserve for tomorrow's Paddy Power Chase (3.00 Leopardstown).

Pat's Fancy, the other veteran, races from a mark nine pounds out of the handicap.

Of the principals, Rock My Way and Haiti Couleurs should not be inconvenienced by drying ground.

The vote goes to Collectors Item, with the O'Neill yard now in better form; I'm hoping he can build on that effort behind Jubilee Express last time.

Collectors Item is the each-way suggestion, 10/1 generally at the time of writing, with most layers paying five places. 

Christmas musings and an Ascot handicap

Last Sunday afternoon, while watching 'The Grinch' on telly, I was suddenly distracted by a story in the Racing Post about an anonymous punter who walked into a Ladbrokes shop and collected £60 on a bet placed on Denman to win the 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup. 

The punter in question discovered the sleeper "while cleaning out clothes" so I thought I'd better check out my old clothes - not an insignificant undertaking, I might add, given I don't own many new ones - just in case... I didn't manage to back Blowers at 300/1 yesterday and, of course, I'd appreciate an unexpected bonus at any time of the year. Who wouldn't? 

Following protracted searching carried out during the week, so far I've turned up a collection of items that a contestant on a Christmas edition of The Generation Game would never have seen pass by on the conveyor belt: a small HB lead pencil; one monocle with cracked lens; a pair of bicycle clips; a broken cigar; some fluff; a White Horse whisky miniature drained of its contents; a Steradent tablet; a Moet & Chandon champagne cork, and a faded black & white photo of a man known to all in the family as Uncle Fester - Fester for short; together with five tangled tissues; four sticky sweets; three thrupenny bits; two train tickets (London Waterloo to Kempton Park return); - and an old William Hill betting slip...

'Oh no you didn't!'

'Oh yes I did!'

'OH NO YOU DIDN'T!'

'OH YES I DID!'

Unfortunately there was nothing written on it.

Followers of pantomime horses, collectors of unused betting slips, read on.

Thirteen have been declared for the Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle (3.35) run over one mile seven and a half furlongs; the going is currently described as soft, good to soft in places, with sunny intervals and light winds forecast.

Two weeks ago Gary Moore sent out four winners over the course of Sandown's two day meeting; his Mondo Man is priced up favourite here.

'Oh no he isn't!'

Don't start.

With a Flat rating of 105 - he finished fourth behind Calandagan in the 2024 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot - the chestnut four-year-old races off a mark of just 123 on handicap debut. 

Second over this course and distance behind Lulamba in January (pulled too hard), he subsequently finished ninth in the Triumph. A handicap blot? He remains a maiden over hurdles and, to date, has shown a preference for better ground.

Five weeks ago Alexei looked impressive hosing up six lengths clear in the Greatwood (Helnwein second, Faivoir third, Welsh Charger fourth, Fiercely Proud fifth) 

The first five from that race re-oppose here and, unsurprisingly, the handicapper has had his say. 

Alexei has been raised 13 pounds for that six length defeat of Helnwein who in turn finished seven lengths ahead of Faivoir and has been raised four pounds. Fifth horse Fiercely Proud, winner of last year's renewal of this race off 128, has been dropped one pound to 135.

Should Alexei prevail here, then connections are likely to look seriously at a Champion Hurdle entry.

Back in October 2024, David Crosse from the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate said of Helnwein in a Straight from the Syndicate article [RP Weekender 23-27.10.24]:

"He's a very exciting 2m chaser and we can't wait to see him jump a fence."

Before the start of the core 2025 season handler Alan King said in a Sporting Life article:

"We will go chasing at some stage again with him, but the plan, at the moment, is to head to the Greatwood at Cheltenham. Whether he has a run beforehand I don't know, but he has got a good record fresh. We will go to Cheltenham and then we will decide if we go chasing again.

"I think he will take to fences, but he is an early and late season horse as we lose him though the winter. He doesn't want soft, or heavy ground, even though he has form on it. He is a much better horse in the spring."

Faivoir made good ground from rear in the Greatwood to finish third but both Welsh Charger and Fiercely Proud were outpaced from two out before staying on up the hill.

Of Faivoir, handler Dan Skelton said in a recent Sporting Life stable tour:

"He is a little rascal in that he does what he wants when he wants."

There were bits and pieces for Welsh Charger at Cheltenham. He raced prominently for much of the trip and, beaten just over 13 lengths, he's certainly entitled to finish closer to Alexei; the same comment applies to Fiercely Proud. 

Take Alexei out of the Greatwood and Helnwein would have won with something to spare - I think the second recorded a personal best in the race. He meets Alexei nine pounds better off for six lengths, racing off a career high mark of 133; the handler's comments above appear to indicate it would be unwise to assume he will reproduce the same level of performance tomorrow.

Wilful finished third behind Celtic Dino and Alexei in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow in October. On that occasion Jonjo O'Neill's charge had to concede seven pounds to Alexei and was beaten just under four lengths; tomorrow he will be in receipt of 12 pounds from that rival. The yard is slowly emerging from a quiet spell.

Two make their seasonal debut - Live Conti and Wreckless Eric.

Dan Skelton had said the ground at Cheltenham in October was unlikely to be soft enough for Live Conti; subsequently the gelding was scheduled to run in the Gerry Feilden at Newbury but missed that engagement on account of soft ground. 

Connections clearly hold this one in high regard. His second behind Murcia in the Grade 1 Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree in April catches the eye - six length Fred Winter winner Puturhandstogether was behind in third. 

However, since this race moved to Ascot in 2001, only three four-year-olds have prevailed: Cause Of Causes (2012); Sternrubin (2015 - in a dead-heat with Jolly's Cracked It); and Tritonic (2021). No four-year-old has carried more than 11-00 to victory.

In March Wreckless Eric snatched second from Afadil in the Imperial Cup won by Go Dante (Hardy Du Seuill fourteenth). Prior to that Hardly Du Seuil and Wreckless Eric finished fifth and sixth respectively, the pair three lengths or so behind Secret Squirrel at Windsor.

Two of Hardy Du Seuil's three hurdle wins have come at Windsor; in the past the eight-year-old has jumped to his left on occasions when racing on a right-handed track.

Olly Murphy had Indeevar Bleu and Sticktotheplan entered up but only the latter made the final declaration stage. 

This one won the Persian War at Chepstow on his first run for new connections but disappointed behind Diamond Hunter and Masked Man at Haydock next time. Good ground appears important to him; this is his first run in a handicap.

Joyeuse comes into this after filling the runner-up spot on two chase starts this season. 

Off a mark of 123, and under a textbook ride by Nico De Boinville, the grey mare beat Lump Sum eight lengths in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury in February. Tomorrow she goes off 140.

Four-year-old Hot Fuss lost two places in the final strides when fourth in the Fred Winter in March.

Beaten eleven and a half lengths behind East India Dock in the Chester Cup, the gelding finished mid-division in the November Handicap at Doncaster before coming home in sixth behind Tutti Quanti in the Gerry Feilden three weeks ago. Rated 92 on the Flat, he goes off 123.

An enthralling renewal - it's possible to make a case for several in the field.

I keep coming back to the Greatwood form; Alan King's quote about Helnwein reported on the Racing Post site this evening has helped to allay doubts:

"He has always run his best races either in the first part of the season or towards the end, but for some reason he hasn't performed well after Christmas. I was delighted with the way he travelled throughout his race at Cheltenham and, remember, he was also second in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock in May. So hopefully, he'll be right there at the finish again."  

Helnwein is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 12/1 with several layers, William Hill and Betfred amongst those paying four places.

Right, off now to see what I can find in the pockets of my tweeds...

Season's greetings.

The 2025 December Gold Cup

Eleven declared for tomorrow's December Gold Cup, to be run this year as The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup in support of the fund set up by BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his daughter Amy in memory of Carol, John's wife, and daughters Hannah and Louise. 

The going in Gloucestershire is currently described as good to soft; curmudgeonly, perhaps, given recent rains, but the forecast sunshine is likely to prove problematic and may well lead to fences being omitted.

Favourite Jagwar won the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase over course and distance at the Festival in March. He missed his intended return in the Paddy Power Gold Cup four weeks ago on account of heavy ground and shows up here surrounded by whispers he could be a Graded level performer.

His rivals may possess a race-fitness edge but the gelding tends to travel well through a race and clearly has an engine; the jumping isn't always foot perfect though while the stable is just starting to emerge from a quiet spell - Passing Pleasure won at Musselburgh on Monday and Gamesters Guy beat sole rival Moon Rocket (1/3f) in the opener at Doncaster earlier today.

Although run over a slightly shorter trip on the Old Course, last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup is a pertinent piece of form. 

Vincenzo and Hoe Joly Smoke finished second and third respectively behind Panic Attack, with Il Ridoto eighth - beaten 16 lengths - and Es Perfecto pulled up before the last, jockey Tom Bellamy reporting the gelding stopped quickly.

On revised terms Vincenzo and Hoe Joly Smoke look closely matched. 

The latter, ridden by Kielan Woods last time as stable jockey Harry Skelton was aboard the winner, made a mistake two out which may just have cost him second place. Having won over three miles, Hoe Joly Smoke is likely to benefit from the greater emphasis the New Course places on stamina but perhaps wouldn't be best suited by fences being omitted.

Five-year-old Kim Roque, second in the Listed Grand Steeple-Chase de Dieppe in the summer, has his second start for Joseph O'Brien since moving from Daniela Mele's yard in France.

On his first start for current connections he finished three lengths behind Kdeux Saint Fray over two and a half miles on the Old Course four weeks ago; he runs off a mark three pounds out of the handicap. 

Since 2000 only two runners younger than six have come home in front - Unioniste (2012) and Frodon (2016), both four-year-olds and both trained by Paul Nicholls.

I have to say I was impressed with Colonel Harry's victory in the Grand Sefton five weeks ago - was there even a hint he had more up his sleeve? 

Sixth behind Grey Dawning in the 2024 Turners at the Festival, he would probably prefer a bit more cut underfoot, but he has only been raised four pounds for that win over the National fences..

Stablemate and top weight Ga Law won the 2022 Paddy Power Gold Cup and finished second behind Il Ridoto in the 2024 renewal of the same race. 

Isabelle Ryder can claim seven but, much like my good self, he isn't getting any younger and these days is prone to make the odd mistake here and there.

Having watched a replay of last month's Paddy Power, I was struck by how open the race was as they turned for home. Il Ridoto, prominent throughout, had his chance, as indeed did Es Perfecto. 

Il Ridoto goes off a mark of 141, the same mark off which he won last year's Paddy Power (although Freddie Gingell claimed three pounds).

On his Betfair blog this evening handler Paul Nicholls said:

"The more it dries out, the better for Il Ridoto, he's a good ground horse who has bits and pieces of form on the soft but doesn't really like it."  

Imperial Saint showed a liking for the New Course when third behind Moon d'Orange in January.

Sent off 2/1 favourite at Aintree on seasonal debut seven weeks ago he disappointed, eventually finishing fifth. Subsequently the Racing Post reported Richard Johnson, manager of several syndicates, saying:

"[Imperial Saint] tweaked his backside before Aintree and and I think that's what got him upset before the race that day. He still ran okay but he definitely wasn't on his A-game. That's sorted now and I'd like to think he goes there with a decent chance." 

Just by way of an aside I suffered a similar misfortune on a car park in Braintree some years ago and had to take three months off work.

The winners have been a while coming for Venetia Williams this season but the yard appears to have turned a corner - Djelo won the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on Sunday and Authodidcate won at Uttoxeter on Tuesday.

After a poor run in the Haldon Gold Cup - fifth of six, beaten 65 lengths - Martator hinted at a return to form when second behind Calico at Ascot three weeks ago. The fact the majority of his chase form is on right-handed tracks is a concern, although he did finish midfield behind Jazzy Matty in the Grand Annual at the Festival. 

Glengouly faces a stiff task from seven pounds out of the handicap.

The 2025 Paddy Power Gold Cup wasn't the strongest renewal and similar comments apply to this race; 7/2 Jagwar could look a big price after the weigh-in.

I'm going to take a chance on Martator, the one to beat on Racing Post ratings. He has won over this trip and shouldn't be inconvenienced by drying conditions.

Martator is the each-way suggestion, 14/1 generally at the time of writing, with bet365, Paddy Power and Sky all paying four places.

The 2025 Becher Chase

There are plenty of options for a staying chaser this weekend: the London National (3.35 Sandown Saturday); the Welsh Grand National Trial (1.36 Chepstow Saturday); the Becher (2.40 Aintree Saturday); and the Scottish Borders National (2.00 Kelso Sunday). Earlier this afternoon Art Decco won the Hawke Barn Wedding & Special Events Handicap Chase run over an extended three and threequarters miles at Exeter.

Helpfully, Google (AI Mode) informs me that a staying chaser with a turn of foot is 'a highly valued description in horse racing, referring to a horse that possesses both the stamina for long-distance races and the ability to accelerate quickly at a crucial point in the race.'

Rather less helpfully, Google (AI Mode) doesn't provide an example of any such beast currently in training, and in any case comes with the catch-all caveat that AI responses may include mistakes.

Just the sort of paradox I thought I might bring up with Keira Knightley if, on the off chance, I happened to bump into her in the local Waitrose this morning, but, of course, the actress was nowhere to be seen, and I left the premises in the full knowledge I'd paid over the odds for a selection of sundry seasonal items that any Cassandra in the store would describe as nothing more than Christmas tat.

Enough.

Thirteen are set to face the starter for the Becher feature tomorrow (2.40 Aintree) run over a trip of three miles two furlongs - and over the Grand National fences; the going on the National course is currently described as good to soft, soft in places, with further rain forecast.

Favourite and top weight Mr Vango had some season last year. 

Sarah Bradstock's charge started off by winning the London National at Sandown off a mark of 135, followed up in the Peter Marsh at Haydock, and then added the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March. 

On a mark of 143 in February when the weights for the Grand National were framed, the front-runner wasn't high enough in the handicap to ensure a place in the final field of 34; now rated 152, there should be no concerns on that score this time around. 

Connections will undoubtedly have the Aintree showpiece in April as his ultimate aim; along with Monbeg Genius he makes his seasonal debut tomorrow. Both horses also hold entries in the Welsh Grand National (Chepstow Saturday 27 December), as do last year's winner Val Dancer and Westerninthepark.

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero saddle two, Gaboriot and White Rhino.

The former, second behind Colonel Harry in the Grand Sefton four weeks ago (Excello third, Mahons Glory fourth and White Rhino ninth of the ten to finish - over 20 lengths behind the winner), races from one pound out of the handicap and won a hunters' chase over four miles at Cheltenham in 2024 so looks guaranteed to stay. 

White Rhino's chance was compromised to some extent by the fall of Seddon at the Chair, although I wasn't totally convinced he took a real cut at his fences that day. 

With just five chase starts to his name, he's relatively unexposed but wouldn't be certain to see out the trip - on his penultimate start he was pulled up behind Moroder in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster and was found to have bled from the nose. 

Of the pair Gaboriot looks the more solid option.

Seven days ago three pound claimer Tristan Durrell landed a big Saturday prize aboard a mare called Panic Attack and he goes for a famous double tomorrow aboard a mare called Galia Des Liteaux.

Last time out she finished fifth behind Sound And Fury in the Cumberland Handicap Chase at Carlisle, a pertinent piece of form. That day O'Connell (current favourite for the London National) and Westerninthepark finished ahead in third and fourth respectively, with Val Dancer last of the nine runners.

On revised terms, taking Durrell's three pound claim into account, she's weighted to finish just ahead of Westerninthepark but that only tells half the story. 

Westerninthepark travelled through much of that Carlisle race looking the likely winner; set alight by Sean Bowen approaching the last, Olly Murphy's charge found nothing for pressure, losing two places in the final 110 yards. 

The comments in running compiled by Andrew Sheret in the RP Weekender results section record that the gelding appeared to blow up after the last and remains unexposed over three miles plus; he's sired by Walk In The Park whose progeny includes Walk In The Mill, winner of this race in 2018 and 2019.

Val Dancer won last year's renewal of the Cumberland off 121 before going on to win the Welsh Grand National off a mark of 126 (Monbeg Genius fourth, Galia Des Liteaux fifth). 

Mel Rowley's charge has won five of his ten chase starts and been placed on four occasions, so has to be respected; he was beaten just over 15 lengths off 132 at Carlisle five weeks ago and has been supported in the market this afternoon.

Bill Baxter showed his liking for the National fences when winning the 2023 renewal of the Topham run over two miles five furlongs. Trainer Warren Greatrex was firmly of the opinion the grey would stay a trip but subsequent 20 length defeats in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and the Tommy Whittle at Haydock told a different story. 

He won a listed handicap chase over three miles at Punchestown in May - the first time he has won over that distance - but in my book still has to prove he stays three and a quarter miles.

Current stable form is the main concern with Bioluminescence (Gavin Cromwell 1 win from 61 runners in the past fortnight) and Monbeg Genius - the first runner for the O'Neill yard following a three week shutdown, Sugar Road, was pulled up at Southwell on Tuesday having bled from the nose.

Both Excello and Mahons Glory ran well to finish third and fourth respectively in the Grand Sefton but neither looks guaranteed to stay. 

Of the pair Excello is less exposed but since 2000 only two under the age of eight have come home in front - Silver Birch (2004; subsequently won the 2007 Grand National at 33/1) and Vieux Lion Rouge (2016).

By contrast, since 2000 eight winners have been aged ten or older and both Twig and Roi Mage won last time out.

Twig finished tenth behind Nick Rockett in this year's Grand National and held Courtland and Only The Bold a neck and a neck in a four runner veterans' handicap chase at Sandown four weeks ago.

Roi Mage came home in seventh behind Corach Rambler in the 2023 Grand National and won a listed cross country race in France at the end of September; Patrick Griffin's charge will appreciate any further rain. 

An open renewal with question marks surrounding a number in the field; two pertinent pieces of form are the Grand Sefton at Aintree four weeks ago and the Cumberland at Carlisle five weeks ago.

I'm going to chance Westerninthepark with Brian Hughes up. 

He travelled well the last day but the way he was passed after the last was disconcerting. In a recent stable tour article on the Sporting Life website Olly Murphy told readers:

"There could be a nice staying handicap chase in him. He didn't fulfill (sic) what we hoped he would do last season. He wants soft ground, but he is a grand horse.

"I think those nice three mile handicaps at Ascot, and races like that, are the sort of races we can look at with him.

"He won at Stratford and ran a cracker at Cheltenham at the November Meeting. He then went to Aintree and never turned up, but he ran better at Leicester.

"He ran okay in the Kim Muir, but good ground didn't suit. Hopefully he can run well at Carlisle." 

Westerninthepark is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 10/1 generally, with bet365, William Hill and Betfred among the layers paying four places.