dunlaying

Vino Griego 0
Loose Chips +7
Shanroe Santos +9
Ballydine +13

Funny looking race but Final Nudge has an awful lot on his plate . One to take on I feel .
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Southfield Theatre 0
Mister Don +1
Missed Approach +3
Bells N Banjos +3
Gonalston Cloud +5

Mr Nicholls has pulled Silsol out , thank God , and relies on the top chap .
Delusionofgrandeur looks too short at 4/1 .
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Kayf Blanco 0
Mercian Prince +2
Pain Au Chocolat +3
Takingrisks +3
Special Catch +6
Grey Gold +7
Sam Red +7
Knockgraffon +10

A quintet to keep an eye on from the entries.

O O Seven , despite the admirable efforts of Mr Boinville the o/h has decided to leave this chap on 152 . I expect some improvement after 13/2/18 .

Silsol , probably not off when last seen but jumped really well . "you cant keep them covered up forever " said his trainer after Rocky Creek won that valuable handicap . He is right .

Flying Angel , running poorly but his form behind Top Notch makes him of interest off of 148 .

Virgilio , thought good enough for open racing but has been running badly . It might pay to be like Dante and follow Virgil . Coming soon perhaps .

The Young Master , my guess is that he is 70th on the list . If I am correct he will be lucky to get in . A win in a small event could take him into the low to mid 140s . Engaged on Monday next in the Noel Fehily H'cap , ridden by , Noel Fehily!!! . The horse is well handicapped at present .

Aloomo 0
Bigbadjohn 0
The Young Master +2
Pilgrim Bay +6
Definitly Red +8+
Wakanda +8
Tombstone Blues +8
L'Ami Serge +9

I think The Young Master needs a good run here to get him in the National . In fact he needs to win .
L'Ami Serge has to be taken on . He is not that well in and is plenty soft enough.

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Coneygree 0???
Tea For Two +3P
Bristol De Mai +6++
The Last Samuri +7+
American +9+
Definitly Red +9+
Theatre Guide +17+

A very interesting race .
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Coo Star Sivola 0
Arctic Gold +4
Pressurize +6
Dream Bolt +7

The top chap could be dropped in. Key are his last two runs . NB Kelly could not claim her 3 in those races , she can  here . To shore up the rating look at his form with Champagne Classic. Also the yard was out of form until late December . Ideally I would like to see Arctic Gold and Pressurize drop out but value there is in abundance at 6/1

Kilcrea Vale 0
Acting Lass +3
Shantou Flyer +5
Forest Des Aigles +6
Fortunate George +6
Minella Daddy +7
Robinshill +9
Guitar Pete +9
Tenor Nivernais +9

If Tenor Nivernais wins this I will give the game up. Guitar Pete is no value at all. The top chap is as dodgy as a three bob watch and Shantou Flyer might be soft . Fortunate George has jumping problems . Minella Daddy hasn't been seen since 2016. Lay the bottom pair and have a shilling on the top one I suppose.
Good luck!
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Ptit Zig 0?
Hainan +1+
Fine Rightly +2
The Dutchman +2
Walk In The Mill +3
Forest Des Aigles +3
Captain Redbeard +3

A smashing little race .

Itsafreebee . Dropped 23lb chase and 18lb hurdles because it has lost its way . Changed stables and would be no surprise if it bounced back to form after a change of air. Its earlier form stands the closest scrutiny. Take a good look.

Deauville Dancer . In the race won by Guitar Pete at Cheltenham this chap was getting into the race in good fashion when a slight error appeared to do for him. Perhaps he hurt himself. Worth another chance at big odds when we eventually see him again.

Un De Sceaux 0
Gods Own +4
Top Gamble +6
Brain Power +8+
San Bernadetto +8
Cyrname +10
Kylemore Lough +10
Speredek +19

Gods Own 0
Smad Place +3
Waiting Patiently +6+
Josses Hill +6
Kylemore Lough +6
Art Mauresque +9
Ballybolley +10
Vaniteux +11
Fountains Windfall +12+P
Mercian Prince +12

A very tricky race as Gods Own is normally a Spring horse , Waiting Patiently is expected to come on a bundle and Fountains Windfall could be anything if he stands up. Even the rag is not a forlorn hope on paper.
Take your pick!

Ofaolains Boy -11
Vino Griego 0
Cloudy Too 0
Theatrical Star 0
Pete The Feat +2
Loose Chips +2
No Duffer +2
Buywise +2
Houblon Des Obeaux +3

A nice little contest. I assume the top chap goes to Chepstow but this would be the better option for him I feel.

Shantou Flyer 0
Viconte De Noyer 0
Theinval +2
Top Gamble +2
Sametegal +3
Burtons Well +4+

Kilultagh Vic -2+P STR
Definitly Red -2
Waiting Patiently -2
Might Bite 0
Sizing John 0+
Our Duke 0
Cue Card 0
Tea For Two 0P
Road To Respect +1
Native River +2
Fox Norton +2+
Whisper +2
Bristol De Mai +3++
Balka Des Flo +3
Edwulf +4
Valseur Lido +4
Disko +4+
Double Shuffle +4
Outlander +5
Djakadam +7
Coney Island +7+
Blaklion +7
Champagne West +7?
Presenting Percy +8+
Minella Rocco +9
Yorkhill +9
Bacchasson +10+
Clan Des Obeaux +10
The Last Samuri +10+
American +10+
Sub Lieutenant +10
Fountains Windfall +10P


I will complete when time allows. The Last Samuri is not a horse you would expect to see in this race but his last run looks to be his best ever effort. He could well be of interest again at Aintree.
Waiting Patiently should have been entered if only to have another chance to find slower ground come the day.
Bristol De Mai might have run better than it looks in The Cotswold . The scouts knew he would struggle , hence the big prices . Reaseheath posted that the stable is out of form and I believe him . But , in spite of that and a few errors on route Bristol De Mai got himself back into the race before he blew up . I note that he has a National entry and the o/h has two poor runs on which he can reassess the grey.
Definitly Red was very good . Will he have enough pace is the question ? He must be given his chance surely as he might well head the weights at Aintree .
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Min 0
Waiting Patiently 0
Frodon 0P
Cue Card +2
Djakadam +2
Road To Respect +3
Fox Norton +4
Balka Des Flo +5
Disko +6
Un De Sceaux +6
Douvan +6
Top Notch +8++
Yorkhill +11


I will check E/O later .

more to follow
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Altior 0+
Min +1+
Special Tiara +5
Fox Norton +5+
Politilogue +5
Doctor Phoenix +6
Un De Sceaux +7
Douvan +7
Top Notch +9++
Yorkhill +12


More to follow
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Saint Calvados 0+
Footpad +1+

The top fellow is 7 behind Altior . A very exciting horse but the way he hurdles his fences is a worry . A race to watch .