CHELTENHAM IS COMING..

With the festival just a few days away I thought I would give you my main hopes. Albertas Run has already done us a massive favour and Jonjo's charge looks set for a big run in the Royal and Sun Alliance Chase. He has always been held in high regard and having won in great style last time out he could still be on the upgrade. Paul Nicholls has brought Noland along nicely in a bid to have him spot on for the Arkle. There is no doubt we haven't seen the best of this one yet. There could be more success for Paul in the Triumph Hurdle with Celestial Halo. Beaten just over three lengths in the St Leger, he then won impressively on his hurdles debut. His latest defeat against an older horse may turn out to be very good form and back against his own generation he should make them all go. The horse in question was Sentry Duty, who is entered in the Ballymore and the Supreme Novices, he has a strong chance in whichever event he goes for.

Best to forget about yesterday..

Much better racing today. At Doncaster we like the look of Thehonourablelady in the 3.05. Before coming up against the likes of Chomba Womba she had acquitted herself well and should go close off this current mark. Over to Newbury and it has to be Mr Nick in the last. Just one run in a bumper, just beaten by a horse now rated 148. If fit following a bit of a lay off, he could go well at a decent price.

What a difficult day...

Either tricky races or two short prices so just one selection today Carcinetto in the 3.10 at Lingfield. This one was out-classed last time out behind Medicine Path, but back in handicap company, in a weakish race he should go close.

Selections got blown out on Tuesday...

Let's hope it is wind free at Folkestone. Lupanar looks a bit of a certainty in the opener. Second to atop horse last time out and we may just get odds against. Lucky Nellerie makes the long journey south for the 4.10 race and a repeat of the last run would see this one go close.

Once again we are just keeping afloat...

We have a couple for Tuesday, the first is Devil's Disguise in the 2.40 at catterick. Ferdy Murphy's charge is realtively lightly raced . It was a good comeback effort last time and we may see plenty of improvement over this trip. Key Decision in the 5.10 at Catterick is our second runner. Alan Swinbank has a terrific record with his bumper runners here and having raced very keen on his debut this one will have learnt from the experience.

Slight profit on Sunday...

Now on to Monday and Harry Tricker looks a good thing in the 3.50 at Plumpton. Gary Moore's charge has come up against some decent types and will find this company less taxing. Approved Force in the 3.30 at Hereford is our second selection. This one looked a progressive type in juvenile hurdles before coming up against some top triumph hurdle candidates. A mark of 123 doesn't look too harsh for his first handicap.

Close call with Murphy...

And ironically beaten by a Henderson horse.... Anyway mustn't dwell, let's take a look at Sunday. A couple this afternoon at Exeter, the first is Mister Gloss in the 2.25 at exeter. Hobbs won the race twelve months ago and this one ran well in a handicap last time out of a mark of 110. That could be good enough to beat these. In a very weak affair, Sunset Boulevard could go close in the 4.30. He was rated 70 on the flat and being lightly raced over hurdles there could be plenty of improvement to come. Back to Mr Henderson he could be on the mark with two newcomers at Fontwell, the smart flat horse Galient in the 2.15 and the well bred Bahia Blanca in the bumper at 5.20.

Nicky is the man to follow..

Henderson has a couple that could go in at Kempton today, both are very highly thought of and were impressive winners on their debuts. Stellino in the 2.05 and Binocular in the 3.50. Murphy in the bumper at 5.15 is a very interesting runner. The trainer has pulled this one out of numerous engagements so obviously wants everthing just right. He is superbly bred and hails from a yard with a good line to bumper form.

It's warming up...

Some good racing this afternoon including Sandown where we reckon Almizan could go well at a big price in the 4.05. Gary Moore is the handicap hurdle king this season and there were signs of a return to form with this one last time out. We also like Cockney Trucker in the bumper at 5.10. There is a good word from the yard about this well bred gelding and they do have a great strike rate in these events. At Nad Al Sheba, the former Michael Stoute trained Ea looks very well treated and can reverse last season's form with The Illies.

Weather still a bit dodgy..

So two selections on Thursday from the all weather. In the 3.00 at Southwell we have to go for Colerton Dancer. This one is so well handicapped it has to pop up sooner or later. the same applies to our second choice Imperial Sword in the 4.40. David Barron usually hits form at this time of year and this one could go well off this current mark.

Ticking over....

Only short priced winners at present until something decent catches the eye. Nothing fancy today, Competitor is the only one we fancy this afternoon. Jonh Akehurst's charge won with plenty to spare last time out and can go in again.

All up in the air..

Inspections everywhere and so we will head to Southell for our first selection. It is Little Wing in the 5.10. Jamie Osborne's charge was most impressive when stepping up in trip last time and could be on a decent mark. Chantaco has done us some favours on the flat and can make a winning start to hurdling in the 2.50 at Taunton. He is entered up at Cheltenham so has obviously shown ability and hails from a yard bang in form.

Brrrr it's cold.

It's about -27 outside so no wonder we only have Lingfield today. Only one horse really of interest today Trees Of Green in the 1.55. This ex Godolphin runner takes a big drop in class and should be suited by the xtra distance.

A poor day's racing...

That is if Towcester is called off. So we will just give one selection today, Tayman in the 4.00 at Southwell. The stable don't have too many runners on the flat and this one has improved over the jumps. If handling the surface he could go close off this decent mark.

Slight profit again...

A terrific race to start the Ascot card and we will take a chance with Albertas Run. McCoy said this was the one to follow this season and he won really well last time out. Still a bit naive he could improve further. Our second runner is Nitrat in the 2.45 at Haydock. An improved effort last time and he could be each-way value.

It's a first...

An eight hour power cut means we didn't give any selection for the first time since we started. So after a day off let's see if we can find some winners. We do like the look of Squadron in the 2.05 at Sandown. Alan King has a good line to juvenile form and this one will find this competition easier. Punchestown in the 3.45 is the second choice. Not a bad performer in France, he comes here with a good reputation and he can win first time out.

They keep backing them..

One the right lines, our tips are getting backed, which means they probably should have gone better. So a frustrating patch but as ever we will persevere. In the Musselburgh 3.50 Folk Tune can gain a deserved victory. He hasn't been beaten far against decent opposition recently and will have no problems with the ground. At Leicester in the 4.00 Whistling Straits can follow up a decent victory last time.

Not even close on Monday..

A couple for today starting with Tsaroxy in the 3.40 at Newcastle. Howard's runner was a decent performer on the flat and ran well for a long time at Catterick last time out. The drop back in trip should suit on handicap debut. Predestine in the 4.10 is the second selection. Kim Bailey's charge was just pipped by a progressive type last time out and can go one better.

Sorry, nearly forgot, so busy...

The McCain yard are in such good form Woodfern must have agreat chance in the 2.00 at Wetherby. This one has shown aglimmer of ability and has little to beat. The second selection is Grasp from another in form yard. Gary Moore's charge goes in the 3.15 at Plumpton. the step up in trip should be ideal as he won over 2 miles on the flat

Hitting the bar again..

On Sunday we have come up with a lively contender at Leopardstown, Hoochie Mama in the 1.45. Ruby takes over from his sister, the stable are going well and this one is well treated on his best performances. Pagan Sky is our second selection in the 4.55 at Hereford. He has had his training problems but ran well on his only outing last tern and is from a yard capable of getting one ready after a break. We will give Spectait another chance in the 2.00 at Exeter. He won nicely on his debut and he could have got in lightly here on 115.

Not so good on Friday...

Let's see if we can pick things up today. We do like the look of Albany in the 3.55 at Newbury. Howard Johnston's charge was a smooth winner last time out and can only improve. Dream Lodge in the 3.10 at Lingfield is our second selection. James Given's horse ran well in a very competitive race last tim eout and should find this easier.

A terrific card at Nad Al Sheba...

Fiesta Lady looks a good thing in the UAE 1000 gns and is our first selection. She cruised in last time and it will take a good one to beat here today. Ripples Maid in the 6.30 could go well at a price. She is quite nicely treated on her best form and being relatively lightly raced she is open to improvement. We will also have to go with Tanks For That in the 4.45 at Newbury. Nicky has made us a few bob already with his bumper horses and this well bred type looks set to run a good race.

Nearly a very good day...

Thursday looks tricky.. We hve found a couple to watch out for though, the first is Noble Sham in the 1.40 at Huntingdon. This is the third time we have picked this one but it is so well treated, just needs to put in a clear round. Pegasus Dancer in the 2.00 at Southwell is the second selection. This one was unlucky last time out and is going the right way.

Too bad to be true...

Both selections ran well below expectations on Tuesday. Today we like the look of Mister New York 4.10 at Lingfield. He ran a blinder last time out, chasing home one of today's rivals and is weighed to reverse the form. We have also selected Master Suspect in the 1.40 at Ludlow. This one finished fifth in a top Aintree bumper on his debut and can make a winning start to hurdling.

A close call on Monday..

On the right lines but found a couple too good. Let's see what we can come up with on Tuesday. Or Doudairies looks the pick in the 4.20 at Sedgefield. He has strong form on heavy ground and it doesn't look to be the best of bumpers. Bonnie Prince Blue is given a chance to redeem himself in the 3.40 at Southwell. Something seemed to be amiss last time out but his previous course and distance success was very impressive.

An early update for a change..

There are a couple of David Arbuthnot runners that catch the eye on Monday. In the 2.40 at Lingfield Gimme Some Lovin looks to have strong claims following a excellent effort last time out. Mon Petite Amour should also go close in the 4.40. This one is running off a very decent mark at present and wasn't beaten far last time out. We will also throw in Don't Tell Sue in the 3.10 race. The only worry is the lack of a recent run, so caution is advised, but she is well treated on her best form.

A busy Sunday...

Ouragan Lagrange is the main selection today in the 4.10 at Fontwell. Gary Moore's charge ran well in a stronger race at Cheltenham last time out and still looks on a fair mark. In the bumper at 4.40 we like Dee Ee Williams. Nick Gifford does well in these races and this one boasts a nice pedigree.

The weather takes it's toll..

So one selection so far at lingfield, while we wait on Donny. It runs in the 2.15 race, Northern Spy. This one put in an excellent run last time out and still looks on a fair mark. If Donny goes ahead Saintsaire could be the one to be on in the 3.00. He was beaten by an improving type last time and should go one better today.

Friday is tough....

Although we do have a couple of newcomers to look at. Fretwork in the 3.30 at Chepstow looks a good recruit to hurdling. This one was in great form on the flat a couple of months back and is from a yard in hot form. The Tom George trained Mewstone is worth considering in th 4.30. Supreme Leader's progeny always do well in bumpers and the stable can get one ready first time out.