PNicholls

13:30, JCB Triumph Hurdle
Dodging Bullets
Showed smart form on the Flat in Ireland (beating Hisaabaat on his final start at Sligo of a mark of 89) and delighted me when second to Grumeti at Kempton on his hurdling debut last month. The winner probably won with a fair bit in hand and was giving us 7lb, but I was more than happy with that introductory run. He will be a lot sharper for it. I was originally going to keep him back for Aintree but he has really pleased me at home since so we take our chance here.
My juveniles tend to come on a good deal for their first run and I hope that is the case again here, as he will need to improve a fair deal to be winning this. But he is a horse I rate, and his slick jumping will stand him in good stead. Has done plenty of schooling on grass since Kempton.

Pearl Swan
Decent maiden on the Flat in France and I hadn't had him too long before he made his debut for at Taunton, and I was a bit worried that he may have been a gallop short there. But I needn't have worried as he bolted in there from a fair sort. I then decided to throw him in the deep end here in a Grade 2 just nine days later and he didn't let me down, giving Grumeti 3lb and a short head beating. He was obviously demoted to second there for causing interference but that didn't detract from the fact that it was a high class performance and I have to be hopeful here.
He reminds me a bit of Zarkandar in that he has a powerful burst of speed; let's hope he can get the job done, too. But this is a very competitive Triumph as always with plenty of unexposed horses in the line-up.

14:05, Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle
Edgardo Sol
Is racing off a 15lb higher mark than when winning by 6 lengths over this course and distance in November, and you would have to assume there are better handicapped horses in this race. And he showed he was probably in the grip of the handicapper now when fifth at Taunton last time, after which he was dropped 1lb. Conditions will suit and he should run his race, but an each way chance at best. Harry takes 7lb off.

Ted Spread
Won the Chester Vase on the Flat and was very impressive when winning off a mark of 120 at Taunton. Was raised 15lb after that win, but we went into the Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday thinking he could still be competitive, though I was worried about the soft ground. And I was right to be, as he travelled really well before finding precious little when let down. Today's better ground will suit and I can see him coming to 2 out on the bridle. What he does from there is anyone's guess, especially backing up after just six days, but I think he could bounce back to form on better ground.
One word of warning though - I think he needs a breathing operation, so we will look at that after this run.

14:40, Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Rocky Creek
Point to point winner who disappointed us slightly when beaten on good ground at Exeter first time up but he showed his true colours when beating Gullinbursti at Doncaster last time, and the runner-up franked the form when unlucky not to win a Newbury handicap subsequently. Is a horse of real potential and I can see him going close here, but the drying ground is a concern for this big horse.

15:30, Cheltenham Gold Cup
Kauto Star
I have kept this to myself until now but a couple of weekends ago my gut feeling is that he wouldn't make it to the race. When Clifford told me that Wednesday evening that he thought Kauto was only 50-50 to get to the Gold Cup, my heart sank. But I was even lower that Sunday as I simply wasn't getting the right signals from the horse; don't get me wrong, he was fine but I just didn't think he was himself. Perhaps it was just nerves on my part.
But ever since then he has done nothing but improve and the racecourse gallop and the subsequent schooling session has certainly put a spring back into the step of the horse - and every one else in the yard, too. So we still go into the Gold Cup hopeful rather than confident. Some people will ask why aren't you confident? Well, first off, any setback, however small, so close to the Festival has to be a big negative. And I suspect we may be meeting a peak-form Long Run here today.
Don't get me wrong though, that is not defeatist talk. We are going into the race with the form horse this season - Kauto is arguably in the form of his life after his Betfair Chase and King George wins - and the best horse in many of our lifetimes. And if he could win a third Gold Cup, and regain it for the second time, then it would be my proudest achievement as a trainer.
Just getting to the race is a testament to the horse's courage and strength of character. So let's just hope he runs his race, and I honestly don't care if he wins or loses as long as he performs to his best and comes back safe. And I mean that. A win would be the ultimate bonus.
But I can tell you he really is sparkling now and did a great piece of work with Pearl Swan on Thursday morning. Looking at him, you cannot believe he is a 12yo.

What A Friend
Ran the race of his life when fourth in this race last year, just a short head behind Kauto Star. Wasn't right when coming back from Wetherby in October and he took a while to come back to himself but he delighted me when third to Long Run and Burton Port in the Betfair Denman Chase. I was very pleased with that run - although he goes well fresh, I expect him to strip fitter here today -and it wouldn't surprise me were he to run a similar race to last year and finish in the places. We all know his style of racing can look a bit ungainly and he isn't the most straightforward but he is a Grade 1 horse and not a bad bet win and place at around the 34.0 mark.

16:00, Christie's Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup
Just Amazing
Disappointed when pulled up in this race last year but goes well when fresh, so we deliberately kept him for this race, his last start being a win at Ascot last April. Has the form to go well.

Rowdy Rampage
Is owned by "The Rowdy Boys", a group of locals, and he landed a few good bets for them when winning at Worcester in the summer. He is another who we have kept fresh for this but he has his work cut on the book, as his Worcester win came off a mark of just 109.

16:40, Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
Empire Levant
Dotted up at Newbury first time before bumping into a certain Rock On Ruby at the same course 48 hours later, and Tuesday showed there was no disgrace in finishing a 6 length second to that horse, even receiving 24lb. I thought he would run better than he did in the Betfair Hurdle last time but, if he is back to the form of his Newbury runs, then don't rule him out. His potential may not be fulfilled until he goes chasing but I retain a lot of faith in this horse. We try him over a longer trip today.

Like Minded
His chasing debut at Fakenham last month didn't go entirely to plan, so we switch him back to hurdles here. And there was nothing wrong with his earlier third to Knight Pass at Kempton (though he was raised a harsh 6lb for that run). Doesn't always find as much as expected but I can see him going well at a price.

17:15, Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup
Toubab
Very smart hurdler on his day and bounced back from a bad fall at Haydock when winning at Sandown last time, at a time when some of our horses were under a cloud. This strong traveller has the raw talent to make his presence felt off a mark of 143, has course form, and I can see him going well.

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13:30, Jewson Novices' Chase
Cristal Bonus
Was favourite for this race until Peddlers Cross was re-routed from the Arkle but this is a horse with the class and form to make his presence felt here, make no mistake. He may not have had the ability to finish second in a Champion but he was a very smart hurdler and has been impressive in his two chase starts, winning by 25 lengths at Chepstow and then beating Duke of Lucca by 13 lengths at Kempton last time, coming home really powerfully. Jumped slightly out to his left at Kempton so going left handed here will suit him too.
While respecting Peddlers Cross and plenty of others in this competitive race such as Sir Des Champs and For Non Stop, I like his chances.

14:05, Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle)
Sonofvic
It looked like it was "Sun Alliance, here we come" when he ran Grands Crus to 2 lengths in November but things didn't work out over 2m5f here next time, never jumping or travelling with any fluency and finishing a well-beaten fifth of six. Basically, it was little short of a disaster. But it told us that we needed to take our time with him over fences, so we preserve his novice status and take our chance off a mark of 141 over hurdles. And on his Newbury run behind Grands Crus, he certainly has the raw talent to make his presence felt - and don't forget he was also two from two over hurdles last season, so is unexposed on that front, too. I can see him going well, but I suppose 20 trainers are saying the same in this race.

14:40, Ryanair Chase
Poquelin
Not many horses win handicaps off a mark of 170 but Poquelin did here last April and he absolutely loves this course. But, if truth be told, he has fallen short when stepping up from carrying big weights against lesser animals in handicaps to meeting similar opposition off levels. And that includes in this race last season, when over 7 lengths behind Albertas Run having gone off the 2-1 favourite (also finished second to the same horse in this race in 2010) and this year's renewal looks even more competitive.
But I am very happy with him coming into this race - he came home a sick horse from here in November - and there was certainly much to like in his second to The Giant Bolster off a mark of 168 last time.
As I said before, this race has incredible strength in depth this year, but he is a 16-1 chance now and not 2-1, and that is probably not the worst of bets for a horse of his proven class and love for the course.

15:20, World Hurdle
Big Buck's
Am I worried that he will finally be beaten today? The honest answer is yes! I will be mightily disappointed, of course, but defeat comes to every horse in the end. But on the all available evidence if we run to form, then it will take the best staying hurdler we have seen for 30 or 40 years to beat him, and I honestly don't see a horse of that potential in this field. Yes, Oscar Whisky is the one that everyone is talking up as our main rival and he has looked impressive this season, and showed what a classy horse he was when finishing third in the Champion Hurdle last season.
But we will find out today whether he stays this trip. And he will have to stay every yard of it to win, because I know that we do. Staying has won us the day against the likes of Grands Crus last season, and Dynaste this. This is a very good race with the likes of Thousand Stars and Mourad also entering into the mix. But we haven't won 15 races in a row for nothing.

Five Dream
Has rediscovered his zest for racing since we put him back over hurdles and he gained some valuable prize money when chasing home Big Buck's at Newbury and Ascot but he found life much harder when last of six in the Cleeve Hurdle last time. Has his work cut out in this far stronger field.

King Of The Night
Confirmed himself a fast-progressing horse with two handicap wins in October, including a 5 length win off a mark of 143 over 2m5f at Kempton, but clearly didn't run up to form when tailed off behind Overturn at Ascot in November. We have given him a break since then as he goes so well when fresh. Has won here and the ground will suit, but he is trying this trip for the first time and obviously needs a career-best effort to make the frame. Stranger things have happened though - I hear Anthony Bromley bought someone a drink at our Cheltenham Festival quiz night on Monday.

16:00, Byrne Group Plate (Handicap Chase)
Rebel Du Maquis
Won over course and distance last season and surprised me when able to win a Stratford handicap off a mark of 142 in May, and by 11 lengths too. I think that run flatters him greatly and that was underlined when he could only finish ninth in the Galway Plate in July off 153. He hasn't raced since but the handicapper has dropped him 3lb in the meantime, and track, trip and ground should be fine for him here.

Crack Away Jack
Obviously was a high-class hurdler when with Emma Lavelle, and was sent off favourite on his first start for me off a mark of 142 here over fences in November. And was travelling really well until a momentum-stopping mistake 3 out effectively put paid to his chances there. He sustained a very bad cut that day, which necessitated over two months rest and healing time, so he would have been in need of the run over hurdles at Ascot last time. If he retains anywhere near the ability that saw him finish fourth in the 2009 Champion Hurdle - or, indeed, a second to Somersby in the Henry VIII Chase that year or his fourth in the Desert Orchid - and jumps fluently here, then he clearly has a good chance. But he has had his share of setbacks and problems in the past two years, and I am slightly surprised that he is one of the favourites in the betting.
Don't get me wrong though, he can win if things fall for right for him, and I have done an awful lot of schooling with him recently. And for the first time since I have had him, I feel I have got him right.

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13:30, Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase
Harry The Viking
I respect plenty of the opposition in this race, and I actually think Teaforthree and Allee Garde are the ones to beat. Teaforthree came back to winning form last time and looks the stand-out performer on form on his 1 ½ length second to our Sun Alliance hopeful Join Together over 3m here in November.

But I think we have winning prospects with Harry The Viking, who is sure to attract his fair bit of media attention because Sir Alex Ferguson features among the owners. This winning pointer has always looked the ideal type for this race, and he has won at tough staying tracks such as Chepstow and Towcester. But he undoubtedly showed his best form when beating subsequent winner Ikorodu Road over 3m2f in a Doncaster handicap (off a mark of 129) last time. As I said, he needs to improve to beat the likes of Teaforthree, but 4m is a great leveller and stamina is our forte.


14:40, RSA Chase
Join Together
Proved himself a very smart novice hurdler before disappointing in the Albert Bartlett last season but this winning pointer was always a chaser-in-waiting and he has proven that this season with two smart wins here.

Things didn't go to plan when he fell on his chasing debut but he got back on track with a win over 3m here in November under a brilliant ride from Ruby. At that stage, I'll be honest and admit I was leaning towards the four miler for him. But then he came out and beat Mossley by 12 lengths and that changed my mind.

Granted, stamina won him the day there (and that race was over a furlong further than today's race at 3m1f110yd) but you can't argue with the merit of the form, and he is officially rated 157, as opposed to Grands Crus on 159. So the handicapper has very little between us. Clearly, Grands Crus will take all the beating here - his defeat of Silviniaco Conti and Bobs Worth in Feltham is clearly high class novice form and had connections dreaming of the Gold Cup at one stage - but Join Together has done nothing but delight me recently and we go there with a big each-way shot against him.

Did a great piece of work on Saturday with Ruby watching on from the sidelines and goes really well when fresh.

15:20, Queen Mother Champion Chase
Kauto Stone
A half-brother to Kauto Star, he won a Grade 1 chase over 2m6f in the Auteuil in November 2010, so you could see why my target for him at the start of the season was the Ryanair. And nothing he did when beating a couple of smart horses easily at Down Royal in November dissuaded me. But he is not short on class or speed, so we decided to drop him back to 2m to take on Sizing Europe in the Tingle Creek. He was easily brushed aside by that outstanding winner there but he certainly wasn't disgraced in being beaten eight lengths off levels, and we upped him in trip once again in the Betfair Ascot Chase last time. That didn't go to plan as he raced far too freely before dropping away tamely and finishing tailed off.

Ignore that run and he could just prove to be the main rival to Sizing Europe today and who knows if the favourite has an off day?

It is hard to be bullish or confident after his Ascot effort - and Big Zeb and Finians Rainbow are good horses, too - but his jumping will stand him in good stead around here and a bold showing wouldn't surprise me. He jumps really well on the whole, but I thought he could have fenced a bit better on his last two starts, so we have done a lot of schooling with him at home, and he is quicker and sharper for it.

16:40, Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Ulck Du Lin
It does make me laugh when I hear talk of handicap plots with this horse. I suppose people are looking back to Sanctuaire's nine length win in the Fred Winter two seasons ago and drawing the same conclusion. But, while Sanctuaire was also an unexposed French recruit, he had already shown me what he could do on the track when beating a certain Grands Crus at Taunton the month before. I honestly don't know if I have a well handicapped horse on my hands off a mark of 130 until I get him on the course. He won a couple of hurdles and a chase in France and has pleased me in his work since coming to us, which included a racecourse gallop. He jumps well, too.
But I can tell you nothing more. What I can say is that if what I hear is right then we all have our work well and truly cut out trying to beat Vendor - and we somehow have to give that horse 1lb here - and Gorgeous Sixty.

In short, let's hope whoever started the gossip is correct and we have 10lb in hand here. Because to win the race I suspect we will need it.

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13:30, Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Prospect Wells
Was quite a challenge when he first came to us - actually that's an understatement, as we couldn't even get him to jump a pole at first - but we got there in the end with him and he was very impressive at Chepstow on his hurdling debut.
We then decided to throw him in at the deep end against Steps To Freedom in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham, and looking back at the race, I really think we should have won there. We were beaten a neck as he got worried about of it close home after looking sure to win - I gather he traded at the minimum price of 1.01 on Betfair - but at least that told us that we had a serious novice hurdler on our hands.
He then went to Newbury and won well before taking his chance in the Ladbroke off a mark of 142 and he ran perfectly well in finishing a 1 ½ length fourth to Raya Star, especially as the race wasn't as strongly-run as I had hoped.
As an afterthought - the race cut-up at the five day stage - we then took him to the Tolworth in January but that wasn't the reason why he ran so badly there. We found him to be suffering from a trapped epiglottis after Sandown and we corrected that with an operation, bringing in a specialist over from Ireland, and since then he has progressed really well. Slowly but surely, but he is working really well again now.
If he comes back to that Cheltenham form, then he will not be far away here and don't forget that, as a Group 2 winner, he would have picked this lot up and carried them on the Flat. This is a devilishly difficult race, but it lacks a stand-out performer going into it and I think Prospect Wells could run a big price at big odds. Runs in a tongue strap for the first time.


14:05, Arkle Chase
Al Ferof
I was at Newbury when Sprinter Sacre won and it was a visually stunning performance, just as his earlier successes at Doncaster and Kempton had been. And the form had real merit too, as the runner-up French Opera is certainly no mug. So I have the utmost respect for the horse, especially when Nicky and Barry come out in such glowing terms about him and compare him with previous greats.
But I genuinely wouldn't swap Al Ferof for him. I know Sprinter Sacre may have improved for a breathing operation subsequently, but the facts of the matter are that we had that horse 5 ¼ lengths away in third when winning the Supreme last season, and we haven't done too badly in our three starts over fences either.
Al Ferof gained valuable Cheltenham experience when winning here in November, and the education continued when he beat For Non Stop by a neck in the Grade 1 Henry VIII in December. Some people were not impressed by that form but I was genuinely delighted as Sandown takes some jumping, he knuckled down really well when challenged and the runner-up showed the form wasn't too poor when winning a Grade 1 race of his own at Newbury last time. And then his third in the Victor Chandler at Ascot against proven and seasoned Grade 1 horses completed his preparation for this. Timeform rate his third to Somersby there as the single best piece of novice chase form this season, and that includes Grands Crus' Feltham win.
Yes, he will probably need further in time - Ruby got off at Ascot and said this was a horse for the King George in December - but you often need a stayer to win an Arkle, not an out-and-out speedball. If we are anywhere near Sprinter Sacre after jumping the last, then I would be hopeful that we would win this up the hill. But Sprinter Sacre is clearly a horse of great potential, and I am not losing sight of that. But I can tell you that Al Ferof looks absolutely amazing at the moment, the best he has been all season.


14:40, Jlt Specialty Handicap Chase
Noland
Is clearly not the same horse as a few years back, when his chase wins included a John Durkan, and after all his problems it is hard to believe he is running at the Festival again some six years after winning the Supreme here - no doubt quite a few Betfair customers remember that as I gather he traded at 1000.0 in running!
But last season's success in the Aon showed he can still cut it a high level and he has prospects of a mark of 148. He has been dropped 4lb after his two runs this season but, although he has been well beaten in both, one of those starts came in the Grade 1 Lexus and he was still going well enough in fourth when a blunder 3 out at Ascot put paid to his chances.
Ruby wasn't downhearted by that Ascot run, as he immediately got off him and said: "Go straight to Cheltenham." Is two from four at Cheltenham and one of his other starts saw him finish third in an Arkle.
I give him a real each way squeak here.


15:20, Champion Hurdle
Brampour
Finished 11 lengths behind Zarkandar in the Triumph Hurdle last season has clearly made great strides this season, winning the Greatwood here impressively off a mark of 149 and then following up with a highly creditable four lengths and a neck third to Grandouet, where Harry was unable to claim his 7lb.
Of course, he is unable to claim here as well and many will be put off by that. I can understand why that would be construed as a negative. But Harry knows the horse very well and I was very pleased with his 9 1/2 length seventh to Zarkandar in the Betfair Hurdle last time - don't forget he was giving the winner 11lb there, so actually came out the better horse at the weights.
I would also expect him to improve for that run - he came from some way off the pace there and his preparation for that race wasn't ideal. But he is in great form at home and I think he has a better chance than odds of around 66-1 imply.

Celestial Halo
He appears to have been around for ages but he is still only an 8yo and, on the whole, has kept his form remarkably well since winning the 2008 Triumph Hurdle here, giving his owner Andy Stewart his first winner at the Festival.
I personally wouldn't read too much into his run at Wincanton last time. It is a track on which he normally excels but I don't think he gave his true form that day; he didn't cough afterwards, as some reports suggested, but he was very quiet after that run and that isn't like him.
He was only just touched off by Punjabi in this race in 2009 and some of his handicap efforts since then, including a 2 1/2 length win off a mark of 160 at Newbury on New Year's Eve, are the equal of that. So time hasn't diminished him. It is probably asking too much of him to reach the frame again today but, on official marks, he has a better chance than three-figure odds imply.

Rock On Ruby
Was agonisingly just touched off by First Lieutenant in the Neptune at the Festival last season but a surprising amount of top class two milers come out of that 2m5f contest, and this fellow could be another one. He reappeared to give the well-handicapped Empire Levant 24lb and a 6 length beating and then may well have beaten Binocular in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton but for slightly missing the last.
Even so, we had to be thrilled with his neck second there (Overturn was 8 lengths away in third) and that confirmed to us that we have a Champion Hurdle hopeful on our hands. And, in theory, 2m around Cheltenham should suit him far better than 2m around Kempton. Of course, we are all up against it taking on Hurricane Fly, but we have an improving horse on our hands who has Festival form in the book. I think he will run a big race.

Zarkandar
Thank god we ran him at Kempton first time out last season, as who knows where we would have been with this horse now. For those who don't know I very nearly pulled him out of his debut run at Kempton because of the worsening ground, but we took our chance and the rest is history.
Of course, I am sure his talent would have come to the fore anyway and he comes into this race an unbeaten, dual Grade 1-winning horse, on the upgrade. He showed a real turn of foot to win last season's Triumph - the form of which is working out so well - and showed he had guts allied to his class when coming back from an unpromising position to win the valuable Betfair Hurdle on his reappearance.
Yes, he has to improve on the bare form of his win off a mark of just 151 there but there are reasons to think he will improve massively. Firstly, he is unbeaten and we haven't got to the bottom of the well as regards his talent just yet, and secondly he came back coughing after Newbury so he may have won there despite not being A1.
It has been well documented that I would prefer that the Champion Hurdle was run on the New Course for Zarkandar (on which he won the Triumph) rather than the Old but that's a minor point. He is never one to show much at home, but let's hope that he keeps showing it on the track.
One note of caution though. I am always a bit nervous when horses have been coughing, as it can leave a mark that only comes out in a race. But hopefully that won't be an issue today.


16:40, Olbg Mares' Hurdle
Violin Davis
It is an obvious thing to say but we are all playing for places against Quevega. But I go into this 2m4f race with an improving mare, who is suited by the trip and ground.
Has come a long way since being beaten off a mark of 117 last March and was given a peach of a ride by Ruby when beating Kentford Grey Lady over 3m at Ascot last time. The step back in trip will not be a problem. Looks to have as good a place chance as most.


17:15, Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase
That'll Do
I have deliberately kept him fresh for this race and a mark of 132 gives us a chance. Admittedly that was the mark on which he only managed to finish a 9 length fifth to subsequent winner Stewarts House at Newton Abbot in August but he came out and won nicely over 2m4f here in a novice chase in October, though the race rather fell into his lap after For Non Stop and Jolly Roger fell. But he jumped well round here and that was a positive. Has been keeping Kauto Star company in some of his work leading up to this, and I'd be hopeful of a decent run.

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Clive and I have given Kauto Star the green light for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after a very good schooling session on the grass this morning.

Ruby came over to school him and Kauto was awesome, just as I'd thought he would be.

He jumped six fences - the plain fence and the open ditch three times each - and he was foot perfect and looked magnificent.

I have just put the phone down to Clive and, barring any mishaps in the next few days, Kauto lines up for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Friday.

We are looking forward to it.

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14:20, Sandown
The Pretender
Won a 1m7f bumper in the French provinces but has been pretty disappointing in his three starts in novice hurdles for me, being beaten 23 ½ lengths at Wincanton last time. Let's hope he improves for handicaps but I don't think he is particularly well treated off a mark of 110 on what he has shown so far. But we run him in a tongue tie for the first time, so let's hope that helps, too.

15:30, Sandown
Hoo La Baloo
Was obviously a high-class horse in his pomp - probably running his best race when fourth to Twist Magic in the 2007 Tingle Creek - but stays well enough (he was third in the 2008 and 2010 Whitbreads), and obviously has a decent chance here. Hasn't raced since a fair third to Stewarts House at Newton Abbot in August. Ditcheat is also represented by Red Harbour, who runs in this for local, and a good mate, Dave Staddon, who won this race with Blu Teen last year. He hasn't raced since finishing fourth for me at Chepstow in October and is a tricky sort, but he would be in with a chance if putting his best foot forward. Goes well when fresh.

16:05, Sandown
Hawkes Point
Irish point winner who came good with a six-length win in a Chepstow maiden hurdle over 3m in January. But the handicapper looks to have massively over-reacted to that win by putting him on a mark of 134. All I can say is that I hope he is right, and I am wrong. Harry takes 7lb off.

16:40, Sandown
Gwanako
This race has cut up to just three runners and he would appear to have obvious and excellent claims. Was a 150+ chaser in his prime, and had been in good form in points prior to winning by 14 lengths over course and distance last month. Jody Sole, one of the best 7lb claims in this sphere, takes the ride.


14:35, Wincanton
Oscarslad
It would be fair to say that this winning pointer has disappointed me somewhat this season, failing to get within 41 lengths of the winner in three starts. If you think this is sort of handicap plot, then think again. I sincerely hope that he can be competitive off a mark of just 98, but I clearly can't be confident given his efforts over hurdles so far.

15:45, Wincanton
Opening Batsman
Had very decent bumper form and made his hurdling debut at Folkestone in January, and ran OK in finishing an 11 length fifth to Fourth Estate. The form gives him claims in this race and hopefully he will build upon that run. The longer trip may suit, too.

17:30, Wincanton
Presenting Arms
Improved upon his Plumpton debut when fifth at Taunton last time. Could reach a place if progressing again but is likely to find one or two of these too good.

18:00, Wincanton
Kauto Star gallop
I make this a match between him and Mon Parrain.

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Very little to report on the Kauto front today, but I said I would give a daily update, so here goes.

Kauto Star enjoyed his usual morning preparation yesterday before having two canters up the hill with Big Buck's and he continues to please us and head in the right direction.

So we look forward to his racecourse gallop at Wincanton today. I will give you an update in my column immediately after the work.

We have had a very busy morning here yesterday, schooling on the grass.

Zarkandar went with Pearl Swan, and both looked particularly sharp. Brampour schooled with Prospect Wells, and Ulck Du Lin worked with Sonofvic.

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Nothing major to report today but we are, thankfully, still heading in the right direction.

Kauto once again had his physio and his hour on the walker.

And then he had a half-speed 10f canter with Big Buck's and then a canter up the hill with him, too.

In fact, all my Cheltenham horses did the same routine - so Kauto did everything the other Festival horses did today.

Clifford is still smiling and at one point I thought he was going to do Kauto's box roll for him!

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We upped Kauto Star's work again today.

He had his now regular morning physio and an hour on the walker - we should bring out an exercise video, as that routine is getting so much publicity - and then we gave him his most testing workout since his schooling fall.

We gave him two strong canters up the hill alongside my Fred Winter hopeful Ulck Du Lin.

And again I have to report that he came through it fine and I'm happy with him at the moment.

What particularly pleased me that, aside from looking great, he came back from the work and had a good roll in his box, always a good sign with him. He looks happy in himself and Clifford is smiling.

But we have had a change of plan over the so-called 'D Day' home gallop on Saturday.

He will now gallop after racing at Wincanton on Friday instead.

Why the change of plan?

Well, he had a racecourse gallop before he won the Betfair Chase and I thought it a better idea to give him a spin, and a good workout, on the grass away from home. Ruby will ride and he will work with Mon Parrain.

Everyone can make their own minds up as to how he looks and works.

And if he does come through that ok, we will look to school him on Monday morning.

But I must stress that it is one step at a time, and it is important that people don't get carried away.

We aren't, just yet.

But we are heading in the right direction quickly, it seems.

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t would be fair to say that Saturday wasn't a great day at the office for me. Plenty of our horses didn't show their true form and even Dan mentioned to me on the drive home that, as far as he could remember, this was the first Saturday we didn't have a winner since he has been working with me.

In fact we have only had one winner in our last 31 runners; not a particularly good stat to read. I don't like giving excuses but I do want to keep punters informed and, as our weekends runners came back from the track, a good few of them had dirty noses and were coughing. Nothing serious but it's got to be monitored and gives us some clues as to why a few of the team didn't run to their true form, which was plain to see. Coughs come and go at yards and there is always the odd horse with one but, in the past few days, we have started noticing more. We are sticklers for keeping our yard as healthy as can be with bi-annual flu jobs as well as regular steam cleaning of the horses boxes and stables - nothing is left to chance. But unfortunately horses can pick these coughs up when visiting the track and bring them back home.

The horses who have come with back dirty noses and coughs will get antibiotics. Depending on the horse it can be three to five days before they are back in full training. It's much like when we get a head cold - the whole thing goes as quickly as it comes. Sometimes you might hear a cough a day or two before they go to the races but they still work well. Until they've had gone through the full stress of a race it really doesn't come to the fore. Ourselves and other yards are no strangers to this. We've headed into Cheltenham before on so called "terrible form" but end up banging in a few winners at the Sandown meeting and having a great Festival.

The one highlight of last week was Zarkandar's performance in the Betfair Hurdle. Especially as he was one who came back from Newbury with filthy nose and cough. Add that to the fact the race was not run at a pace to suit, his performance has me even more excited about his chances come the festival! Zarkandar be back out cantering on Wednesday once he has finsihed his course of antibiotics.

Silivinaico Conti and Kauto Stone both disappointed but neither have shown any signs of illness since. In fact Buffy has run tests and washes on a lot of the horses and 80% haven't shown any negative signs. I think Silvinaico needed the run more than I thought as he didn't find much after the second last and we'll go straight to Aintree with him. I'll expect huge improvement from him there. Whilst Kauto Stone was way to head strong and looks like he ruined his chances by the time he got to the business end of the race. The plan is still the Ryanair for him as we know he is better than Saturday's showing.

In case you're wondering whether Kauto Star, Big Buck's, Join Together or Al Ferof have been affected, they haven't and are all in good form. If anything changes I'll be straight on here to tell you as quickly as I can.

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