Good run by Red Dirt road but just beaten.

Just the two at Doncaster on hopefully, not too soft a ground.

Coeur Serein ran very well for Brace at Chepstow. He is one who probably wants rain to make this a stiffer test. Annie Mc faces a repeat of Carlisle. She was returning from a lay off, but it is hard to believe she can make up nearly 25 lengths on Zambella. The question is probably whether she can keep Pink Legend, who was woeful on her reappearance, out of second.

An unexpected hat trick, at least to me.

Sacre Coeur seemed to enjoy herself, and jumped better. She was in a similar position turning in at Uttoxeter, but this time she went forward. Presumably, desperate ground was the key. Since coming over from France she has in the main raced on much quicker surfaces. Perhaps they will try to get her out quickly to take advantage of the current monsoon weather. Impossible to know if Iron Bridge was lucky or not. It wasn't the ride I was looking for, and going forward I would be concerned that O'Neill isn't confident enough to really attack a fence on him. I suspect we are looking at the handicap route from now on. Playtogetway was another to this time finish his race off. Presumably, he will be upped in trip on similar ground. Maypole Cross was a big drifter. Having moved nicely into third place, two bungles didn't help his cause, but for the second time running he has stopped to nothing. Another run on better ground should confirnm if that's due to a problem, or ground related. Morning Spirit jumped nicely on the front end and although he kept on up the straight, he may just be better over shorter. Pyffo travelled a bit better this time, and just kept plugging away, shaping like a horse who is going to want a trip over obstacles.

Another frustrating punting day, particularly at Taunton where the ground was probably as bad as it gets for that track. The well supported Great Samourai no doubt went short in running, but literally stopped to nothing; Lutinebella failed to reproduce her Exeter run on this sharper track, and it's hard to believe The Changing Man got beat. Powell looked woeful from the run to the last. Had he maintained the momentum into the last, and not taken an age farting about with the tackle on the run in he would surely have held on. He was almost doing a Paddy Brennan on the line.

From a hat trick day to an absolute load of tripe with every runner failing to finish their race off, most dropping away way before the finish. Poorly conditioned, wrong ground, wrong trip, or maybe all three. I notice some of the lazy media were again describing this as a stable in form. Really?

Highland Getaway was woeful. He was too far back to start with, and never promised to get into contention. There are plenty in the family that liked cut so this was very disappointing. Walk Of No Shame travelled like a winner for much of her race, but from four out bungled every flight, and dropped away very tamely. The exact opposite of her Warwick bumper win where she stayed on strongly. Today she looked like a non stayer. As they always do pundits suggested she raced too keenly. Did they see Blenkinsop? This is the most overused excuse in racing. Also Known As managed to stay in touch until the straight and should do better on a quicker surface. Cawthorne Lad looked a non stayer in that ground. McLernon was riding a finish on Punches Cross going to first and the least said about the others the better. Embarrassing stuff.

The race was not run to suit Blenkinsop, but he has bolted up again. To think I got criticised for suggesting Alice Stevens nearly made an absolute horlicks at Ludlow. She had half the straight in hand. Where do they go now? Ballymore, or Coral Hurdle? I like Hermes Allen, and think he would have a favourite's chance of winning an Albert Bartlett. Given that he handled the ground was it such a surprise that he won so easily today? I thought Cobden was talking absolute nonsense straight after the race suggesting the horse could win over two miles. Today's race was much more like a three mile test than two and a half, yet the jock is immediately talking about speed? Hermes Allen's forte is stamina, but they could easily talk thenmselves out of winning a Cheltenham race if the jock is anything to go by. It should be remembered he only beat Music Drive over the Ballymore trip on much quicker ground. 

Just two runners tomorrow. Has a horse ever lost form so badly for a change of stables as Easysland? He can only be watched. Carrigdoun Boy seemed to improve last tine, and looks to have an each-way chance in a very competitive race for the track.

On a line through Music Drive he wouldn't win the majority of hurdles at the intermediate distance on good ground, let alone two miles. Cobden appears to have been listening to too many Aidan O'Brien interviews. At least O'Brien has an excuse for talking up speed.

Two, on doubt very testing ground at Ffos Las tomorrow.

Destin D'ajonc has dropped a few pounds for a dreadful return. He drops a Class as well, but can only be watched. Walk In My Shoes went up what looked a harsh 5lbs for scrambling home in a poor mare's handicap. This looks tougher.

Time For A Pint was never at the races, but did plug on from a mile back. He might eventually sneak a low grade three mile handicap, but hard to see him figuring in a novice hurdle. If anyone backed Bethka, as I did, you are going to feel pretty frustrated that you have ended up being done by a 40/1 bookmaker special. A few years ago Bethka might well have won, but over the last few years many of the bigger stables are clearly not bothered about winning bumpers, and that lets in the likes of Grace Harris who are bothered. It's made these races much harder to punt, and far too often you just end up with the crumbs from the each-way. As for Bethka she has a nice bit of size, and this was a decent start.

Just the two in the opening novices at Wincanton tomorrow. The Gooner looked very slow on debut, and I would have preferred to see him over three miles, and on a galloping track. With the favourite coming out it is an ordinary race. Montmartin is another 75,000 3yo store from a family that goes back to Allez France. He must have looked the part as the family has not thrown anything of note in recent years. The fact that he has been put in favourite indicates that this is another poor looking race. I would prefer to keep an eye on Sea Village at a much bigger price.

Although he isn't strong in the market, hoping that Arctic Bresil can do trick in the Tolworth. He could be very good, but he needs to jump better than he did on his hurdling debut. If he wins this he could well go second favourite behind Facile Vega in the Supreme market. Outside of that race in terms of quality it is a pretty poor day.

Two out of three wouldn't have been bad, but not so sure about one out of three.

Inch House looks slow, and again didn't look too tractable in the closing stages. Perhaps that to some extent is the limitations of the jock. Three miles, left handed, with a rail to help in the closing stages might see him sneak a poor race. Monbeg Genius showed a nice bit of versality having lost out on the front end to the spoiler. Perhaps a Midlands/Welsh National somewhere down the line? I did say that Crebilly might have been better under a 7lb claim. Unfortunaley, O'Neill's riding in the closing stages was akin to a 7lb claimer. He was completely outridden by Wedge at the second last, and that made the difference.

Also at Chepstow, at the age of 10, Moonlighter finally turned in a solid round of jumping, and showed battling qualities as well. If only he had done this several years ago he would have been Graded material. So often Ireland provides the sunday quality, but not so much today. A battle of two bunglers in the opening novice where Blackmore got lucky having allowed her mount to consistently lose impetus and ground at so many fences. Appreciate It had a solo, and the feature race was again marred by the removal of several flights. I was disappointed in Inothewayurthinkin who was one of several who never travelled, and not sure why they would put up a completely out of form jock. I am wondering how good the Irish staying novice hurdlers are this season. I can't think of one who looks genuine Grade 1 material for the spring Festivals. Perhaps the Dublin Festival will shed a bit more light? It would be lovely to think there might be a few more overseas raiders this year.

Just the one runner at Taunton tomorrow.

Mammies Boy showed very little on debut, but he runs in the second division of an incredibly weak novice hurdle, so weak he would have to be pretty bad not be competitive.

Mammies Boy chased home Afadil who won on the bridle with the rest well beaten. Probably didn't achieve much, but if he can brush up his jumping he might find a little race perhaps stepped up in trip.

I did think I might have had a reasonable day myself until I found out Ladbrokes had changed their Best Odds Guaranteed to day of the race about two months ago. I think that leaves only Bet 365 who offer the concession on initial prices. As if the others didn't pocket enough money.

Three at Doncaster tomorrow, and winners very unlikely. Big fields seemingly in search of better going. The Composeur isn't going to know what's hit him as he is used to making the running and then fading away tamely in very small fields. Betty's Banjo would have an each-way shout if you can forgive last time, and the rain stays away. Beachcomber looked slow on debut and this is tougher. Willmount would have been more interesting at the start of the season, but already looks expensive given the subsequent performances of those he beat in his point. Call Me Jack was probably put in too big, but Gaspara is yet to produce anything of note. It wouldn't be a surprise if Luckie Seven ran well.

Should have been Leicester and with the amount of rain forecast, how many jump courses would have ben raceable?. It is disappointing but Saturday should be good cards if they survive the weather and there are some decent cards next week.

Yes that was an excellent ride paulo47.

One or two strange efforts today at Huntingdon, or our version of Siberia if you glanced at Snooty's get up. Sermando looked to have the perfect stalking trip until recoiling in a couple of strides. A mystery, but nothing reported. Having been very well supported on debut, Dana's Gem having gained that experience was this time very easy to back. She jumped poorly, and was never at the races. Manintheshadows travelled well enough, and held every chance when coming down three out. The well supported T'Araison never travelled, and having been scrubbed along, had nothing more to offer in the straight. Ilestdancingspirit, ultimately weak in the market, stayed on late without ever looking likely to play a serious role. This was one of those bumpers which gave credence to the idea that the bigger stables are not that interested in winning these races. Bookmakers no doubt delighted to see them having their own private race for fourth.

Kateira the class act today, easily defying the penalty.

Just the three at Kempton tomorrow. Collectors Item was abysmal at Cheltenham. He is up in trip, on softer ground, but very hard to forgive such a sorry effort. One things for sure his jumping needs to be a lot slicker. I think he needs to hope that Makin'yourmindup is unsuited by the ground. I have backed Petit Tonnerre and if he reproduces his last run he must have every chance. Just hoping this isn't just a tee up for the Coral Cup. Head Law was progressive last season (had an excuse last run), and if straight enough should have every chance in the concluding handicap.

Monbeg Genius the only stable winner from the last 25 runners.

It was amiss of me not to mention Corbetts Cross in my summary. He bolted up in the staying handicap at Fairyhouse having very recently been purchased by Emmet Mullins' main owner. The horse travels very in testing ground, and no surprise if he ends up winning a big pot under those conditions. I think he would have easily taken care of the two novices at Kempton. He would need softer than usual conditions to contest an Albert Bartlett, but is definitely worth an entry. Interesting to see if they can get him qualified for a Pertemps as he would really shake up that market if they did.

Weather permitting - let's hope we don't get too many abandonments this week - four runners tomorrow.

Imperial Bede shaped well enough on his hurdling debut in an ordinary race at Leicester. It didn't appear that O'Neill tried particularly hard, but it was subsequently stated he hung left throughout. If the left handed track does make a difference he should have every chance. Two go in the maiden hurdle over the longer trip. Also Known As showed a little more promise last time, and should benefit from the drop in trip. His stable companion, Regal Blue, looked green in an Irish Point before running away with a poor English version. Bit surprised the first show has him 9/4, and Also Known As at 40/1. Hard to believe there is that much between them. Half The Freedom runs in a poor Class 5 which completes the card. It appears they don't know what this horse wants as he keeps yo-yoing as regards trip. Add in he doesn't jump or travel well enough to make him an enticing punting prospect.

Five due to run at Ffos Las tomorrow. Let's hope they finally get a meeting on. It's been a dreadful month for jumping fixtures.

There are several weak looking divisions of novice hurdles. Also Known As and Merveillo clash in the second. Also Known As has the better profile courtesy of an improved second run. The drop in trip should help, and you would hope that he might finish in the first six. It's hard to know what to make of Regal Blue's English Point win. Chances are he beat nothing very easily. He should have a place chance in a weak race. File Illico has shown nothing this season, but is 1/2 at the track. Not sure he wants it too soft, and realistically he needs to suddenly find massive improvement to figure. I think I suggested that Pride Rock might be a long term handicap project, upped in trip, after he showed a bit of initial promise. Unfortunately, he hasn't built on that, and although he goes up a mile in trip, the 6/1 isn't very tempting. He should be twice that price on bare form.

Fortunately, Ireland kept the show the road over the weekend. I thought Spirit Of Legend would have won comfortably had he not been brought down. It was strange that Blackmore rode that hurdle as if nothing had happened in front of her. Anyway, this is almost certainly his trip, and a nice little handicap awaits, if not something better. It's For Me probably beat rubbish very easily, and is now a daft price for the Festival Bumper. If you are on Allegorie De Vassy for the Mare's Chase you would have to be concerned at that round of jumping, and it came under no pace pressure whatsoever. I questioned how much Embassey Gardens wanted it earlier the season, and I don't think outclassing his rivals answered that doubt. Unfortunately, we will not find out until the Friday of the Festival. With Nicholls blinkered regarding where Hermes Allen runs, the Albert Bartlett looks very open. Ferns Lock ran away with the Hunter Chase, and looks a very rare quality runner for Telescope. The family goes back to Brown Chamberlin.

Six runners at Wetherby tomorrow, although strangely, three are in one race.

Blue Shark is on a good run, but has gone up 6lbs for scrambling home last time. A more galloping track should suit better, but amazed that being 3/3 on the horse, Jamie Brace isn't claiming. I have been very disappointed in Iron Bridge since he won nicely on chasing debut. He may have got lucky last time out when he appeared to finish tired despite finishing alone. He holds several entries over longer distances so it begs the question as to why he is running over this trip. What's the target? He also needs to jump a lot slicker than he has done the last twice. The three in the novice hurdle have shown bits and pieces, but all look as if they are wasting a run over an inadequate trip. It wouldn't surprise me if Hungry Hill has the most ability of the three, but the ground tomorrow is a complete unknown. When The Gooner was purchased for 280,000 I doubt the owner envisaged him running in Class 5 handicaps. He has looked slow and clumsy. He goes up in trip again. If this fails they will be running out of ideas.

The Gooner well backed but weak finisher.

Fair enough. The Gooner was only fourth on the Betfair list but a strong second fav at the off so I assumed it had been backed. I know the winner was backed as well-I backed it!

Imperial Bede and Lock's Corner massive drifters at Huntingdon. I know it is a competitive race, but the drift on Lock's Corner appears very strange given he is bang in form.

and Half The Freedom wins as well. Faster ground?