Wednesday Tipping - Kempton Park 30th November

Another fantastic week of jump racing behind us with Rock on Ruby looking like another horse with potential to build significantly on his juvenile form, Peddlers Cross and Grands Crus both going 2/2 since switching to fencing, Carruthers winning the Hennessy Gold Cup in another feel-good story for National Hunt racing with Matty Bachelor, reputedly the nicest jockey in the weighing room, providing a hugely popular success for trainer Marcus Bradbourne and owner Lord Oaksey.

Although the National Hunt season is in full swing there is still fine all weather racing with Kempton putting on a particularly interesting card on Wednesday night, including a £20,000 listed race.

The Listed race in question, The Wild Flower Stakes has a good line up, including the 110 rated Laaheb, as well as 102 rated Celidh House, who finished an impressive third over an inadequate trip behind Juddmonte pair Mirror Lake and Principal Role at Doncaster last time out on soft. Although the filly should prefer the extra quarter of a mile, preference lies with BARBICAN, who has been in terrific heart this season since debuting on the all weather at Wolverhampton in February.

He has thrived, and has only disappointed when the ground has been good-to-firm. He stays well, winning this year from a mile to a mile and three quarters, his most impressive run coming in the Ladbrokes Mobile Heritage Handicap at Ascot where he was given a peach of a ride by usual companion Daryl Holland. Ryan Moore is in the saddle this time, and surely there is no better jockey to partner the versatile colt home.

A horse that looks to be on an upward curve is CRISTAL GEM, for champion trainer Richard Hannon, who runs in the 4.30, a claimer over a mile. He showed a smart turn of foot to win a maiden last month over 7 furlongs at Lingfield, and previously showed promise in his two other runs finishing second at Lingfield, before a 5^th of 17 at Goodwood. He has 6lb in hand on official ratings, with the only danger looking to be George Baker, who has finished placed on his last four starts, but is still yet to shed his maiden tag.

Ryan Moore has some other fantastic chances on the evening, including SAWAHILL for trainer Clive Britain in the familiar Saeed Manaa silks in the 6:00, a 7 furlong maiden. The lightly raced filly has had two runs spread over 400 days, and the daughter of Diktat has showed glimpses in that to suggest, placed right, she could come good.

It looks a weak maiden, and she showed a nice cruising speed when tiring in her last run at Doncaster. She finished behind some smart types such as Scottish Lake, Switchback and Numeral, and based on that form, there could be a lot of improvement to come.

Moore also rides POPPY for Richard Hannon in the last race of the night, a 6 furlong handicap. This filly won over course and distance a month ago and ran a good fifth next time out in her only run since. She didn’t seem to stay the trip that day so the decision to drop back to 6 furlongs should surely suit.

RIVAS RHAPSODY is a horse of interest, dropped into handicap company after a facile maiden win at Ffos Las three weeks ago where he was heavily supported, justifying the money by tracking the leaders and pushing on to win by 3 ½ lengths. A well bred son of Hawk Wing, he is open to improvement, in what looks like a below par handicap. Off a mark of 62, he looks to be on the handicappers good side.

Trainer Ian Wood doesn’t have the biggest string but he has a decent enough record of 5 wins and 9 places from his previous 50 runners at Kempton The chief threat looks to be the in form Excellent Aim of George Margusson, who beat Welsh Dancer, who Rivas Rhapsody beat by 4 lengths, so the form line looks true between the two.

4.30 Kempton – Cristal Gem

5.30 Kempton – Barbican

6.00 Kempton – Sawahill

7.00 Kempton – Rivas Rhapsody

7.30 Kempton – Poppy

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Hennessy Day at Newbury and Fighting Fifth Day at Newcastle

A fantastic day of racing Saturday as one of the jewels in the National Hunt crown, The Hennessy Gold Cup, arrives on a fantastic day of racing at Newbury. In addition, the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle is run at Newcastle and we have action at Towcester and Bangor to boot.

One of the supporting races on the Hennessy card is the Gerry Fielden Hurdle, a listed hurdle over an extended two miles. Nicky Henderson, Phillip Hobbs and champion trainer Paul Nicholls have each entered two runners; however the stand-out is ROCK ON RUBY, who, fittingly enough has one R.Walsh booked to ride.

Ruby is riding out of his skin at the moment, including a memorable win on the legend Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase Saturday. Rock on Ruby has what appears the strongest form-line in the race, a narrow defeat to First Lieutenant in the Neptune at Cheltenham. The form is working out well, with First Lieutenant winning two Grade 3 chases this term. He is the highest rated horse in the race and, with Ruby booked and the yard having hit a rich vein of form, he should have every chance.

The showpiece race at Newbury is the Hennessy, won last year by Diamond Harry after the gutsy Denman, chasing his hat-trick, nearly defied all logic and history by winning off 11-10. There is no Denman this time around but some tough chasers line up including the likes of Paddy Power winner Great Endeavour, Scottish National winner Beshabar and Punchestown Gold Cup winner Planet of Sound. That said, a strong indicator to this race is usually the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, with second season chasers having a fine record in the race.

Last year’s 1-2, Diamond Harry and Burton Port, both feel into that category and the betting is led by horses that fit the trend, with Aiteenthirtythree, Wymott and Wayward Prince all prominent in the market. Wymott was disappointing at Cheltenham, and although proved to be injured, is difficult to support first time out, particularly as the trainer said he would have liked to have got a run in him.

AITEENTHIRTYTHREE ran a terrific race behind Somersby last time, over an inadequate trip. Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls have had tremendous success in the race and this fellow runs in the same colours as dual champion Denman. He should be spot on for the day. WAYWARD PRINCE looks to have outstanding each way claims for Ian Williams and Dougie Costello and has an excellent record fresh. He finished ahead of Aiteenthirtythree in the RSA Chase, but still receives 2lb, and there may not be much between them. The two can fight out the finish up the Newbury climb.

The Fighting Fifth Hurdle is something that likely favourite Binocular has had terrible luck in, finishing fifth and second in the last two years and is reported to be flying at home. Therefore it pains me a little to tip up CELESTIAL HALO. He looked like he may have been a sitting duck for Grandouet when that horse fell leaving Celestial Halo to win at Wincanton. But, even if Grandouet had stood up, the result was by no means certain that day and Celestial Halo was, at the very least, putting up a strong performance against a horse who I think has Champion Hurdle credentials. Binocular doesn’t often win when fresh and could be using this race as a stepping stone towards the Christmas Hurdle so I’m reasonably happy to oppose him on this occasion.

The other significant race at Newcastle is the 3.30, a listed handicap chase. Consistent horses such as Hey Big Spender, Take the Breeze, Fred Bojangels all run, however there are two runners from unfashionable yards who merit attention. ASHFIELD’S DREAM, for the in form Evan Williams stable and CATEGORICAL for the Reveley yard both seem to be in good heart. Slight preference is for Ashfield’s Dream however, who has a good record running fresh on good ground.

Selections for Saturday 26^th Nov

2.05 Rock on Ruby

2.20 Celestial Halo

3.10 Aiteenthirtythree (Ew) Wayward Prince (Ew)

3.30 Categorical (Ew) Ashfield’s Dream (Ew)

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Midweek Tipping - Lingfield Park, Wetherby and Fontwell Park - Wednesday 22nd November

Racing this week is a mixed bag, with plenty of fibresand, and lots of hurdles, with the winter season really getting into the swing of things. The upcoming Hennessy meeting will look to capitalise on the buzz that National Hunt racing is currently experiencing on the back of Kauto Star’s tremendous victory in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Saturday.

Racing on Wednesday comes in the form of Wetherby, Fontwell and a decent looking card at Lingfield, with good prize money on offer at the latter. There is also a twilight card at Kempton for people looking to recoup their afternoon losses.

Alan King is a trainer enjoying a better year than last and he has VOLCAN SURPRISE in the 2.35 at Wetherby, a juvenile maiden hurdle. Another to be brought over from the Irish point-to-point scene, he ran two credible efforts over there before making a pleasing debut over rules at Sandown, finishing second to a promising Brendan Powell horse. The only two runners to have come out and run since have both finished second and, with a fairly weak looking field, and only a couple of serious dangers in Luggers Hall and School For Scandal, he should have a terrific chance.

PORGY is a horse that shaped with a great deal of promise on its hurdling beau last month at Warwick and the former Marvan Koukash horse can build on that when running in the 12.55, a novices hurdle for four year olds and up. This well bred son of Dansili seemed to lose his way on the flat. He never seemed to get ahead of the handicapper and, given his pedigree and the promise of his debut over obstacles, he should have enough speed and scope to get the job done.

JINXY MINX is a tentative selection in the 1.55 at Fontwell, but he could be a dark horse who is severely overpriced. He was pulled up on his seasonal reappearance last month at the track, never going on the heavy ground. He could be lightly treated and with young claimer Joshua Moore good value for the 5lb he could run a strong race for Sue Smith’s yard – a stable that are currently in good heart.

WOOP WOOP is a horse who enjoyed a good few years with Steff Liddard, and has looked as if she’s on the road back to his best since being claimed by trainer Ian Williams, who makes a habit of rejuvenating fillies. The Oratorio three year old shaped with promise on her first run for her new trainer before winning cosily over course and distance two weeks ago under a good ride from Ryan Powell. She runs in the 2.45 at Lingfield with a 3lb increase but looks good value for the rise in the weights and could improve again.

Another horse who seems to have found his form again is HANOVARIAN BARON, who returned from a 176 day absence to run a blinder in the November Handicap, finishing fourth behind Zuider Zee. The only blip on the six year old’s copybook in the last couple of years was when he finished last in the Mallard Cup at Doncaster, stepping up in trip on that occasion. The run last month would have put him cherry ripe for the race today, and even more so considering he is 2/2 when bouncing back the race after a 50 day absence.

12.55 Fontwell Porgy

1.55 Fontwell Jinxy Minx (Ew)

2.35 Wetherby Volcan Surprise (Nb)

2.45 Lingfield Woop Woop

3.15 Lingfield Hanovarian Baron (Nap)

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Ascot Amlin Chase Day and Haydock Betfair Chase Day November 19th.

A feast of jump racing lies ahead this weekend, with terrific cards at both Ascot, where their highlight is the Amlin 1965 Chase with Master Minded defending his crown, and at Haydock, featuring the Grade 1 Betfair Chase, where Gold Cup and King George hero Long Run is scheduled to make his seasonal debut.

Haydock’s Betfair Chase day has a fantastic card. The Betfair Hurdle race is where GRANDOUET can regain his reputation after coming down at Wincanton last time out, handing Celestial Halo the race. He was absolutely cantering in behind when misjudging the second last and would have been a definite winner in my eyes. He is all class this French import, as he showed last year when winning the Irish equivalent of the Triumph Hurdle at Punchestown in May, after decent previous efforts at Cheltenham and Aintree. I think he is a lively consider for this years Champion Hurdle, and is one to stay on the right side of.

Betfair have also sponsored the handicap at 1.55, which has a decent turn out. I am very sweet on the Reveley family’s EYRE SQUARE. He won a novice hurdle on his seasonal beau. He then ran well in a chase, finishing second to a well handicapped horse. The favourite finished third that day and the three pulled 43 lengths clear. Eyre Square rallied and stayed on, and the extended 3 and a half miles should suit this resolute galloper, who has remained on a nice figure of 120.

The Betfair Chase has developed into a jewel in the crown of the National Hunt season and this year’s event looks like living up to that billing. Long Run is the very short favourite, too short for a horse who disappointed in the Paddy Power last season, running after a 241 day absence. The drying ground could prove a worry for Diamond Harry, who loves running fresh and is 2/2 at Haydock.

KAUTO STAR won this race 2 years ago and when the 11 year old is at his best he is still a horse sitting at the top table of British chasing. He has won first time out on both the last two seasons, Down Royal last year, and in this race two years ago. Trainer Paul Nicholls is adamant he has been working like his old self and he could turn out to be significantly over-priced at the current 8/1.

Switching attention to Ascot, and the first race, the novices chase. The Nicky Henderson trained MUSH MIR, who came from James Boyle on the flat, showed at Southwell he is a good prospect. He has made a successful transition to hurdling, and is now 3/3 in novice hurdles. He attempts a step up in class but, as his winning distances of 32 lengths for his three races indicate, he may well have better things ahead of him.

Similar sentiments apply to OSCAR WHISKEY, who runs in the Coral Hurdle, a Grade 2 contest. This Welsh Champion Hurdle and Aintree Hurdle winner is rated 165 and is being aimed at a clash with Big Bucks in the World Hurdle. His only defeats in the last two years have come in the Champion Hurdle to Hurricane Fly (3^rd) and to Menorah in the Supreme Novices (4^th). He should be too classy for the likes of Celestial Halo and Overturn.

MASTER MINDED could be overpriced in the Amlin Chase, largely due to his disappointing reappearance run at Aintree. The 8 year old, who won this same race in impressive fashion last term, appears to need soft ground over 2 miles or 2 and a half miles these days to be shown at his best and he should get his preferred conditions on Saturday.

He has won his second run of the season, using the first as a tune up, on each of the last three seasons, and although the likes of Somersby, who chased him home in the Victor Chandler, and Arkle winner Captain Chris are young guns snapping at his heels, hopefully Master Minded, still no pensioner at only eight, can show he retains plenty class.

12.15 Haydock Grandouet (Nap)

12.25 Ascot Mush Mir

2.10 Ascot Master Minded (Nb)

2.45 Ascot Oscar Whiskey

1.55 Haydock Eyre Square (Ew)

3.05 Haydock Kauto Star (Ew)

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

HAZY TOM TO BE CLEAR WINNER‏

An excellent weekend of racing from the Cheltenham Open meeting last weekend, with 3 days of top class sport and some fantastic sights from Prestbury Park. Exciting novice chases Peddlers Cross, Al Ferof and Grand Crus all impressed last week winning first time out over the larger obstacles, and anticipation has already started to grow ahead of the festival in March.

Not Cheltenham but Warwick this midweek and there are some cracking looking handicap. The 1.30 looks to be the most puzzling with lots of runners and doubts over the fitness of horses at this relatively early point in the season. The answer, however, could lie with the Mary Evans owned and trained MAIZY MISSILE.

The mare only raced three times last year, with one win and two seconds to show for it. She is clearly difficult to train, as she has a lengthy break between races, she’s only had 12 races since debuting over five and a half years ago. It seems to work however, and she was last seen running at Newton Abbot in March when going off the 5/1 favourite for a 2 miles 1 furlong handicap hurdle and winning by three lengths. She attempts chasing for the first time and, given her record when fresh she looks sure to give a good account of herself.

Later on in the card the 2.30 is a grade 3 open chase for four year olds and there are numerous representatives from the major players with horses from the King, Nicholls and Henderson yards entered. Nicky Henderson's import TORNADE D'ESTRUVAL looks to have a fantastic chance of opening his UK account, based on his smart French form. He won over hurdles at Auteil so the step up to fences in the UK should not be a major problem. He was well backed at Ascot when disappointing, but the money for him suggests he is probably well thought of at home and he can get off the mark here.

HAZY TOM is likely to go off a short price in the 3.00 but he should be far too good for this field of novices and he can complete a hat-trick of wins this season. The in-form Charlie Longsdon yard have been firing on all cylinders and Hazy Tom has won two bumpers and a novices hurdle since winning an Irish point to point. Cheltenham Champion Bumper runner Knights Pass may prove a serious threat if he his jumping is up to it but Hazy Tom sets an impressive standard.

1.30 Warwick - Maizy Missile

2.30 Warwick - Tornade D'estruval

3.00 Warwick - Hazy Tom (Nap)

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Cheltenham Open Meeting - 12th/13th November - Balthazar to rule over Cheltenham

This week is all about CHELTENHAM, the spiritual home of National Hunt racing, and the season unofficially kicks off in real earnest here with the Cheltenham ‘Open’ Meeting.

One of the more competitive looking races at the meeting is the Rewards4Racing Grade 3 Handicap Chase, with some very good horses lining up including the likes of Hey Big Spender, Fair Along and Reve De Sivola. However, I think we can take a chance with recent Cheltenham winner BALTHAZAR KING for the in-form Phillip Hobbs yard, a stable that seems to have a wealth of talent this year at their disposal for the upcoming season.

Since being switched chasing, the King's Theatre gelding has thrived, seemingly having a penchant for Cheltenham, winning a Grade 3 handicap last month as well as previously having finished behind Wayward Prince, Chicago Grey and Time For Rupert in good quality novice chases. Although not suited by Ascot, he still showed great heart plugging on for fifth in the United House Gold Cup two weeks ago and, back on his preferred stage, he should get back to winning ways,

The Gary Moore team seem to be in fantastic order at the minute and his star performer VIA GALILEI runs in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle on Sunday in what looks on paper to be a mouth-watering affair. Won last year by Menorah, the race has attracted the big boys with top horses from the Henderson, Nicholls, King and Hobbs yard among the entries.

Via Galilei ran well in the Listed Handicap Hurdle at Ascot two weeks ago, looking unfortunate to run into Brampour, who was given a fantastic ride under young claimer Harry Derham. He should run his usual game race here and looks one to beat.

The showpiece is the Paddy Power Gold Cup, a race with a whopping £85,425 first prize. The star attraction is the Paul Nicholls trained MON PARRAIN who looks to be an extremely promising chaser and could be anything. He has been punted off the boards in the past week, and is the most likely winner.

That said, 5 year olds and, in particular, favourites have poor records, and value looks to lie elsewhere. Poquelin is a good yardstick, and should appreciate the drop back in trip, however carrying top weight could be a hard task even though he does love Cheltenham. Wishful Thinking goes for an in form stable and his jumping is usually flawless, which should aid his efforts.

DAVES DREAM has an excellent record fresh, and is 4/4 returning from a 150 day absence or longer, including winning at this meeting last year. I also like Alan King’s ARALDUR, who made a promising reappearance behind Fistral Beach after a year out last month at Wetherby. He showed promise as a juvenile, winning a Grade 2 novice chase at Sandown. Both these have shown evidence of possessing a little class and both may still be on the upgrade on the upgrade. I’ll be on both each-way at current prices.

1.55 Cheltenham (Saturday) - Balthazar King (Nap)

2.35 Cheltenham (Saturday) - Daves Dream (Ew) & Araldur (Ew)

2.20 Cheltenham (Sunday) - Via Galilei

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Midweek Tipping - Exeter and Bangor Wednesday 9th November

Racing at the weekend in America was quite underwhelming and left me feeling a bit flat (excuse the pun) with the defeat of Goldikova and wins for highly priced, unconsidered American trained horses. But hopefully the weekend ahead will lift my spirits with Cheltenham's first really big meeting of the season. In the meantime there are several decent races midweek to whet our appetite.

First of all, in the heart of Wales, Bangor has a good card and the same is true over the border and South at Exeter, who have a card which may feature last year’s Champion Hurdle hope and previous Supreme Novices winner MENORAH. He looked very unfortunate when unseating Richard Johnson at the second last on his first start over the bigger obstacles. The drop down to 2 miles should suit him and he looks different class.

Another horse attempting to get off the mark over fences is PEDDLERS CROSS, last year’s Champion Hurdle runner up and class act for the Donald McCain yard. He runs in a Class 4 Beginner’s chase but looks like going off a very short and, with a long season ahead, hopefully culminating at the Festival next March, I’d advise fans to just keep an eye on him on this occasion.

Royal Opera looks a sort who looked to appreciate the switch from flat to national hunt when second on his maiden hurdle at Aintree, narrowly going down by a neck. The son of Acclamation can surely build on that effort, the winner and Royal Opera were 16 lengths clear of the third. He is with a shrewd trainer who will surely get the maximum out of this promising gelding.

RAJEEVA looks a very interesting sort for the Venetia Williams camp, dropped into handicap company after three lacklustre maiden hurdles. His aggregate losses of 220 lengths may not paint the true picture for a gelding that has not been knocked about and has been asked for very little. Getting in on a very low mark as such may just give the horse a chance of capitalising, with the effective amateur Harry Challoner taking 6 valuable pounds off. He could well catch the handicapper out.

FRASCATI PARK is a horse who served the Twiston-Davies team very well last season, winning a novice hurdle at Ascot that had the Nicky Henderson trained Sprinter Sacre, the Cheltenham Supreme Novice runner-up, trailing in his wake. He returned from a 179 day break, winning a good beginners chase, coming away and winning by 6 lengths on soft ground at Carlisle. He seems in good heart, should be race fit and, most importantly, has a touch of class about him.

2.40 Royal Opera (Nap)

2.20 Frascati Park

2.50 Menorah

3.40 Rajeeva

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Breeders Cup Meeting - Churchill Downs - 4th/5th November

Some of the finest thoroughbreds in the world descend on Churchill Downs this weekend for the 2011 Breeders Cup. The Americans know how to put on a show and it looks like being a weekend to savour.

Most Stateside focus is on the Classic but the Mile, featuring champion mare Goldikova, will be eagerly awaited here in Europe.

The first selection is, in fact, GOLDIKOVA who will look to end her racing career on an unprecedented high with an unprecedented fourth Breeders Cup Mile title. She has had a strange season, with more seconds than victories; however she has run into some very smart colts and fillies. She has mirrored her previous season, running at Longchamp twice, Deauville twice and Royal Ascot, all in Group One company.

In her three group one wins, she has defeated Saphresa, the Sun Chariot Stakes winner, and Cirrus Des Aigles, the QIPCO Champions Stakes winner. Her defeats have also come up against multiple Group One winners in Immortal Verse, Dream Ahead and Canford Cliffs. She still sets an immense standard, and I have her 4 lbs clear of the field. At the current prices she looks value.

Roger Varian is a trainer in great form at the minute. He registered his first ever Group One winner in NAHRAIN, an undefeated daughter of Selkirk, who seems to thrive over the mile and a half trip. She won well in France getting the upper hand on the French trained Announce, who will reoppose once more. Although the previous winning distance was a nose, I expect her to come on from that run and confirm the form more emphatically on this occasion, with the former French and now American stationed Stacelita looking the most likely danger.

The Juvenile Turf looks a muddling encounter, with nothing stand out like Uncle Mo, and his lightning fast fractions last year. It could pay to side with the Europeans and, in particular, the English horses Caspar Netcher and FARRAAJ. As mentioned already trainer Roger Varian is in good form, as is his two year old colt Farraaj.

The form of his last race is working out very well indeed. He finished second to the Richard Hannon trained Crius, however the third, Zip Top, finished second in the Racing Post Trophy, and the fourth, Crusade, won the Middle Park Stakes, with even the fifth Letsgoroundagain, winning a listed race next time out. Caspar Netcher has had a consistent season, winning the Gimrack and The Mill Reef Stakes, with game efforts in the Middle Park, Richmond and Windsor Castle Stakes as well. They both look overpriced at around the 7/1 mark, and providing things go well in running, they could prove more than a handful for their friends across the pond.

The Turf race is one traditional happy hunting ground for the Europeans (it was won last year by Brian Meehan’s Dangerous Midge and the year before by the Sir Michael Stoute trained Conduit) and this year looks no exception. Stoute has another promising chance with Sea Moon and Aidan O’Brien has Await the Dawn and St Nicholas Abbey, but they may all be chasing home the classy French filly Sarafina, who although drawn on the wrong side, stayed on for seventh in the Arc, after a progressive season. Finishing first or second in all runs, she dominated over the mile and a half trip, her most impressive winning the Prix Niel, beating a useful field including St Nicholas Abbey and winning under a hands and heels ride from Cristophe Lemaire. Much like Goldikova, this animal is all class, and I can already see her coming up on the snaff on the outside, collaring Sea Moon on the Churchill Downs line!

Breeders Cup Mile – Goldikova (Nap)

Breeders Cup Turf - Sarafina

Breeders Cup Classic - Uncle Mo

Breeders Cup Filly and Mare - Nahrain

Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf - Farraaj

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Midweek Turf Talk - Wednesday November 2nd 2011

National Hunt fixtures have now begun to step up a notch in terms of class with some of the stars of last season reappearing and others moving rapidly up through the ranks, bumper winners elevating to hurdles and hurdlers to chasing. All of which provides fascinating sport.

The Charlie Hall Chase provided a real kick-start to the jumping campaign, however the flat season is not finished with yet and Nottingham put a decent looking spread of maidens and handicaps on Thursday. We’ll begin with a look at the first race, the 1.30, where KEY APPOINTMENT looks to improve on his only previous start, a good third in a maiden at Haydock on heavy ground.

The Pivotal colt looks sure to appreciate the ground, which is listed as good to soft, and the form of his maiden run looks solid enough, he finished behind a good Godolphin horse and a Sheikh Hamdan horse that has since run well. The Hay family have spent a lot on good two year olds this season, and this horse could be another potent weapon in their armoury.

The conditions race at 2.30 looks to have attracted some nice types with versatile horses such as Hung Parliament, Sarrsar and the improving Hot Rod Mamma all scheduled to compete. The class horse in the race however is the group and listed winning KING TORUS for the Richard Hannon yard.

On official ratings he has minimum of 3 lbs in hand on the field. Under ideal conditions, a mile on softish ground, against inferior opposition, it should be like taking candy from a baby for the Oratorio colt!

We switch countries and codes now and go to Chepstow where MERRION SQUARE looks to have a fantastic chance of taking the 1.15, a maiden hurdle. In the colours of the Stewart family, the new recruit to the Nicholls yard is related to a smart chaser, and that will surely be where his longer term future lies. He won a point to point at Lemonfield in Ireland in March, and could be easily be good enough over hurdles to take this..

Another switch now, however still in the realm of juvenile hurdles, sees GUARDS CHAPEL look to have a terrific chance of notching up his second hurdle win, although has a 7 lb penalty to defy in the process. He was quite disappointing on the flat, yet made a mockery of the form when winning under trainer’s son Joshua, who took 5 precious pounds off.

He looks to take his tally to 2 for 2 at Warwick, and seems to have plenty in hand, irrespective of the penalty. The only threat comes in the form of the John Mullins trained High Samana, a 3 year old son of High Chaparral. Like Guards Chapel, he was modest on the flat but ran a good second in his maiden hurdle at 20/1. He might fill the placings with Easydoesit.

1.30 Nottingham Key Appointment

1.15 Chepstow Merrion Square

2.30 Nottingham King Torus

2.10 Warwick Guards Chapel (Nap)

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner