C&D winner in March who turned a listed Ascot handicap into a procession on November's reappearance and easy to forgive his effort in the Christmas Hurdle since (not given a hard time once held).
Smart hurdler who has quickly reached the same level over fences, landing Wincanton Grade 2 and emerging with credit behind Carraig Mor at Newbury (3m) last time. Big player.
Returned from tendon injury as good as ever last season, winning handicap hurdles at Exeter and Cheltenham (Pertemps Final). Reportedly bled when pulled up in the Hennessy on return in November.
Developed into a very smart novice chaser last term, scoring at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals. Worth excusing latest Aintree unseat and can return to winning ways in refitted blinkers.
Runner-up in the Arkle. Made a winning return in the Clonmel Oil before acquitting himself well when fourth in King George. About to be headed when falling at last in Grade 2 at Thurles. Hard to beat.
Grade 1 Maghull winner the highlight of a fruitful novice campaign. Not quite as successful in open company this term, but bagged 3-runner listed contest at Kempton last month. One to consider.
Jumped superbly to see off 2 subsequent winners when opening chase account at Exeter, and quickly bounced back to form returned to prominent tactics when fourth at Cheltenham. Big player.
Smart dual bumper winner who has quickly reached similar level over hurdles, most impressive when bolting up in Lanzarote at Kempton last month. Very hard to beat if turning up here in same form.
Smart hurdler. Course winner. 13 lengths 4th of 5 to Dedigout in John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran (24f, heavy, 9/4) 24 days ago. Likely to give running but work on to turn that form around.
mart chaser. Course winner. 15½ lengths last of 3 to Un De Sceaux in Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novices' Chase at Leopardstown (17f, soft, 11/4) 21 days ago. Claims are crystal clear.
Attn Mr Wynne and Father V... Can you please keep an eye out for Back By Midnight, let me know if it's down to run (in case I miss it). It ran a cracker even though it pulled for a mile last time out. It came 2nd, and the front two pulled clear. The horse that won, Nefn Bay, has just defied an 8Ib penalty in the 1st race at Wetherby today.
Attn Mr Wynne and Father V... Can you please keep an eye out for Back By Midnight, let me know if it's down to run (in case I miss it). It ran a cracker even though it pulled for a mile last time out. It came 2nd, and the front two pulled clear. The horse that won, Nefn Bay, has just defied an 8Ib penalty in the 1st race at Wetherby today. Posted by joesman1
It's not a jumps horse and if you look at the bare form you couldn't give it a chance but Tom Hall runs on Friday at Lingfield.
He's a nervous horse and loses it at the start getting wound up and wasting his energy in the paddock. His race has often been run before he enters the stalls.
This week he's wearing a hood for the first time and if he makes it to the stalls without a fuss he may run well and place at a big price.
I wouldn't write off Mercury Magic who runs in the 8.10 Chelmsford. Tomorrow may not be his day, he's been off for a while but should have a race in him soon
It's not a jumps horse and if you look at the bare form you couldn't give it a chance but Tom Hall runs on Friday at Lingfield. He's a nervous horse and loses it at the start getting wound up and wasting his energy in the paddock. His race has often been run before he enters the stalls. This week he's wearing a hood for the first time and if he makes it to the stalls without a fuss he may run well and place at a big price. I wouldn't write off Mercury Magic who runs in the 8.10 Chelmsford. Tomorrow may not be his day, he's been off for a while but should have a race in him soon Posted by DUNMIDOSH
Thrice-raced winner over hurdles. Smart winner at 12f on flat. 2/1, 2nd of 10 in minor event hurdle at Punchestown (20f, heavy) 40 days ago. Stable in good form. Has good chance on form.
Useful hurdler. 2 wins from 4 runs in IRE this season. 14/1, 27¾ lengths 6th of 7 to Mckinley in Lawlor's Hotel Novices' Hurdle at Naas (20f, soft) 46 days ago. Trainer going well.
Smart novice last term. Shaped as if in need of run on reappearance and set to get back on the up until falling 3 out at Cheltenham last time (yet to be asked for effort). Interesting from this mark.
Very smart chaser, winning a Grade 1 novice at Punchestown in May and November's Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. Below par next 2 starts but freshened up since and every chance on these terms.
€140,000 son of Shirocco from a good family. Off the mark at second attempt in bumpers, and made winning hurdles debut here in November. Only third last time, but worth a chance to bounce back.
Latest win in hurdle at Navan in November. 2nd of 4 in novice hurdle (1/4) at this course (22f, heavy) 42 days ago, finding less than looked likely. Well worth another chance.
Succesful twice over hurdles last season and shaped encouragingly when fourth in 21f Kempton handicap on return in November, outpaced before staying on. 3m should suit and still unexposed.
Narrowly opened chasing account at Newbury (17f) in January 2014. Struggled all 3 outings in handicaps since, folding tamely at Sandown (2m) last month, but further ease in weights sure to help.
Scored twice at this venue last term, winning this event by 5 lengths, and has been placed on both starts here this time round, third in a valuable 3m event from this mark last month. Shortlisted.
In good form this season, winning at Newcastle (2m) and running well over 21f last time. Longer trip still in this tougher race now but not dismissed if staying.
Scaled new heights when third off a 4 lb higher mark at Perth (3m) 11 months ago. Below that level when making the frame both comeback outings, but obvious claims if regaining sparkle.
Facile bumper winner who has failed to land the odds on all 3 starts over hurdles to date, finishing second on each occasion, but is clearly well regarded and makes the shortlist now handicapping.
Dual chase winner who ran right up to his best when runner-up at Ayr (25f) in November. Well held over the National fences next time before no show in tongue tie at Cheltenham. This less competitive.
C&D maiden hurdle winner in January but was below form making handicap debut at Sandown, not racing nearly so sweetly in a more competitive contest. Improvement required.
Smart hurdler. Latest win in chase at Navan in December. Smart winner at 24f over hurdles. 4/1, 13 lengths 3rd of 5 to Wounded Warrior in Gr 2 chase at this course (24f, heavy) 50 days ago.
Only defeat came when a close second to More of That in the World Hurdle last year. Form far superior to that of her rivals, with the only doubts being over her well-being having been off since May.
Comments
Smart dual bumper winner who has quickly reached similar level over hurdles, most impressive when bolting up in Lanzarote at Kempton last month. Very hard to beat if turning up here in same form.
He's a nervous horse and loses it at the start getting wound up and wasting his energy in the paddock. His race has often been run before he enters the stalls.
This week he's wearing a hood for the first time and if he makes it to the stalls without a fuss he may run well and place at a big price.
I wouldn't write off Mercury Magic who runs in the 8.10 Chelmsford.
Tomorrow may not be his day, he's been off for a while but should have a race in him soon