PNicholls

Al Ferof doesn't run at Bangor today for a number of reasons but chief among them is that Ruby isn't available to ride him. So we take the horse to Cheltenham on Sunday, where he is.

And that change of plan has two added benefits; firstly, we will avoid a potentially hard race with Peddlers Cross first time up, and secondly he will get some Cheltenham chase experience at the weekend.

But we have five runners at Exeter today; here are my thoughts on them:


12:50, 2m5f Novice Hurdle
Curtain Razer
Is an Old Vic half-brother to four winners, notably 2008 Irish Grand National winner Hear The Echo. Has shown plenty of promise himself already, landing two from two for Richard Barber, winning at Ottery St Mary and Buckfastleigh. As his pedigree would suggest, staying chases will be his game but a novice hurdle over this trip looks an ideal starting point for him. Philip Hobbs' Oscar Davy looks the one to beat here but, like all of my horses at the moment, he is very fit and well.

13:20, 2m5f Novice Hurdle
Ruben Cotter
Is a half-brother to a couple of winners and improved upon his point debut to win at Dungarvan in February. The form of that win gives us cause for optimism as the runner-up finished second in a Punchestown bumper next time up in May and the fourth has win since, too. But has some similarly unexposed horses in opposition, notably the likes of Newcastle bumper winner Triptico, so we can't be too confident. He is a lovely horse, though.

13:50, 2m7f Handicap Hurdle
The Knoxs
Fell on his first two chase starts (looking set to win well when falling at the last at Ayr in January) but went on to win over 2m4f in the soft at Sedgefield and by 19 lengths over 2m at Carlisle. But after schooling a lot over fences since joining us, he starts over hurdles, because his jumping at home so far has not been acceptable - but we will get there. So he races here off a mark of 132 over hurdles and that looks workable considering some of his novice hurdle form reads very well, such as his Newcastle defeat of Wymott before running in the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival last year. Let's hope he can continue our good start for Andrea and Graham Wylie; I think he could go well.

Five Dream
Has been struggling in handicap chases so we switch him back to hurdles to see what he can do in this sphere. Looks plenty high enough in the weights for what he has done recently. Yes, he has run well off far higher hurdle marks in the past - such as when a close third to Sunnyhillboy off 142 at Sandown - but that was back in December 2008, so he has hardly dropped like a stone in the weights since then, running off 131 here. But hopefully a switch back to hurdles can rekindle his enthusiasm.

14:50, 2m1f Beginners' Chase
Current Event
Benefitted from a breathing operation when showing his true form when winning by 18 lengths at Newbury last March and you can expect to see a fitter and sharper horse than when a distant third at Chepstow on his reappearance, as that was always going to be his last hurdle start before going chasing. Has schooled well in preparation for this and gets all the allowances, but the smart Ski Sunday will have his supporters against us.


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13:50 Exeter

Rocky Creek

Is a full brother to Tell Massini (a very smart hurdler/chaser who sadly died in the Newbury race won by Aiteen Thirtythree last season) and won his only start in an Irish point back in February, beating Rolling Aces by four lengths, and the runner-up went on to win next time up - in fact we liked Rocky Creek's win so much we bought the first two home. Clearly, chasing will be his game but this trip over hurdles is a good introduction for him under Rules. We have decent hopes for him.

14:20 Exeter

Jump City

A middle distance winner on the Flat in France in 2009, he had his problems before making his debut for us at Wincanton in February. To be honest, he hadn't been showing us that much before then but he certainly ran a race full of promise to finish second to the smart 1-4 chance Smad Place there, some 33 lengths clear of the third. Hopefully that run didn't flatter him at all, and we hope to be winning races with him this season, after putting him away to preserve his novice status after Wincanton. May need further in time than the 2m1f but should go close here.

14:50 Exeter

Ghizao

Needed the run and experience first time out last season but I shall be disappointed if he fails through lack of fitness here, as I have trained him for the race, though it is a very high class and competitive renewal for sure. Was one of my rare bets when beating Captain Chris by ten lengths off levels at Cheltenham in November and followed up by beating the same rival by four-and-a-half lengths giving him 10lb next time - and we get 5lb off him here. He failed to fire in the Arkle and then a blunder two out cost him dear when beaten two lengths by Finians Rainbow at Aintree. We have high hopes for him in the better races up to 2m4f this season, and he is in good form coming into this. Did a good piece of work with Celestial Halo on Saturday.


15.20 Exeter

Sam Winner

Proved himself one of the best juveniles of last season with two impressive wins, and when running an extraordinary race from off the pace to finish fourth to Zarkandar in the Triumph, but we have always viewed him as a chaser. And I expect him to take high rank in the novice department this season, so let's hope he can get off to a winning start, getting the allowances here. However, the opposition could hardly be any stiffer first time up, with Menorah in opposition, and the priority is to get him to jump nicely and safely round, rather like Silviniaco Conti at Chepstow first time up. There will be bigger prizes down the line but I am happy with him.

My best chance of the day would be Ghizao.

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I think the general public have more pressing matters on their minds than the whip issue - like how they are going to pay their heating and fuel bills this winter.

That is my honest take on this on-going whip debate, which seems to be on the verge of spiralling out of control once again.

For the past 10 years, I will tell you how many complaints I have received over the whip on the telephone, via email or in letters: none, although I have had plenty in support of Ruby recently, including the owners of Edgardo Sol.

So it was really sad to see Ruby so disillusioned with the sport after his superb willing ride on our Edgardo Sol, which saw him given a five-day whip ban for excellence.

His interview with Nick Luck on RUK really saddened me, and no doubt many others. Listening to such a competitive and premier sportsman so downbeat, voicing his concerns for a sport that he now considers watered down, was depressing.

So let us hope someone, somewhere, can grab hold of the situation before any more talks of strikes are aired.

Yes of course Ruby has my support in his appeal. But discussions behind closed doors, however heated and lengthy, are the way forward here. Not strike action, which probably won't have much support or sympathy outside of the weighing room and may actually be counter-productive to their cause.

I have spoken to Paul Roy about the situation and the matter that most concerns me is that the punishment doesn't fit the "crime" and the rules don't take into account the unintentional or instinctive reactions of a jockey, as in Ruby's case.

In rugby union, the referee has the option of not giving a penalty for accidental offside, such as when a player instinctively catches a ricocheting ball when he is in an offside position.

So even in such a strict and complicated rulebook such as rugby, the referee has some latitude and can make a common sense decision. And that is what many jockeys feel has been taken away from the stewards; some degree of flexibility and common sense in such a dangerous, high-pressure and fast-action sport such as horseracing. That can't be too much to ask.

But it was great to have Ruby back on board my horses last week, winning on Fistral Beach at Wetherby, and hopefully it will be that way for years to come.

He has my support, and crucially the support of my staff and owners and all here at Ditcheat.

The sport would really have shot itself in the foot if its premier riding practitioner could only be seen in action on TV or a visit to Ireland.

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Wetherby

13.40 - Round Tom

Thorough stayer who ran well when second in a Cheltenham novice hurdle last time. Reverts to the larger obstacles, over which he won a three runner Beginners' Chase at Worcester in July. In form and should go nicely in this company, though he admittedly has something to find on the ratings with some of these.


14.45 - What a Friend

Has been called a few names in the past but I call him a dual Grade 1 winner who ran a superb race when an 11 length 4th to Long Run in the Gold Cup. After that, I made a mistake in turning him out again in the Grand National to try and exploit a favourable handicap mark. So this is an ideal starting point for him, with his main seasonal targets being Cheltenham again and the Punchestown Gold Cup. Hasn't run over hurdles since being pulled up in the 2008 Albert Bartlett but he certainly has the class to make his presence felt in this sphere, especially getting weight all round. We will continue to run him in blinkers and he is in great form at home. I must stress that he runs here because I think it will be good for him mentally, instead of running in a competitive chase like the Charlie Hall, to get the National out of his system. But I've got a sneaking feeling that he could just run a blinder.


15.20 - Poquelin

Put up a great weight carrying performance when giving Great Endeavour 21lb and a length beating at Cheltenham in December and rounded off the season with another victory, off a 7lb higher mark, over course and distance in April. Sandwiched in between those wins, I have to say he was slightly disappointing in only finishing fourth in the Ryanair. But I feel that he is a horse capable of making his mark in the better 3m+ chases on good ground this season, so let us see how he gets on here. I'm happy with him and he goes best when fresh. But there is clearly a stamina doubt at his first attempt over the trip. If he does stay, then I can see him being an each-way possible for the Gold Cup; he is a high class horse.


Ascot

13:55 - Merehead

I think it would be fair to say that he hasn't progressed as much as we thought he may after finishing second to Kid Cassidy in a Newbury bumper on his debut but he ran some fair defeats in maiden and novice hurdles all the same and is very much a staying chaser in the making. But he is only a 5yo with time on his side, so we will see on that score. He is a horse I like, has been going nicely and is not that harshly handicapped off a mark of just 115. Will eventually need a trip.


14:30 - Takeroc

Hasn't always run to his best when running races close to each other. But he has to take his chance here before the handicapper gets a hold of him after an impressive 12 length win at Aintree on Sunday, and he carries just a 6lb penalty. Looks to have come out of the race well and conditions should suit, as long as the rain holds off. Harry is riding well and takes 7lb off.


15.00 - Brampour

Impressed when winning by 13 lengths at Taunton in February and ran a solid race when an 11 length 9th to Zarkandar in the Triumph Hurdle before disappointing at Aintree. I don't think we saw the best of this decent French Flat middle distance performer last season and he may want further in time but I like this horse. Is one of the ones that had a breathing operation in July, and may improve for the run because of that - plenty who have the op need their first runs. He has done well physically, though.


15.40 - Niche Market

Hasn't won since taking the 2009 Irish Grand National but he certainly lost none of his sparkle, as he showed when fifth in the Hennessy and at Aintree last season. Obviously, the National is his target again and he will go for the Becher Chase after this. I am very happy with him but I often find a lot of horses that have run at Aintree need a run or two to get them back on track. Ryan takes 3lb off.


Promising Anshan

Ran well when second to Cornish Sett at Wincanton (was 11 lengths back to the third) and finally got his head in front when winning at odds of 2-11 at Fakenham in February. I think he is on a fair mark on 130 and he takes his chance in this valuable and competitive handicap, where conditions should suit. Has a nice racing weight on 10st 3lb, but probably has to improve on what he has shown so far. Loves going right-handed on good ground.


17.25 - Provo

By Presenting out of a Fontwell bumper winner, he is a big chasing type from the family of Our Ben. As usual with bumper newcomers, we will know more after their first run.


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I think the general public have more pressing matters on their minds than the whip issue - like how they are going to pay their heating and fuel bills this winter.

That is my honest take on this on-going whip debate, which seems to be on the verge of spiralling out of control once again.

For the past 10 years, including from last weekend, I will tell you how many complaints I have received over the whip on the telephone, via email or in letters: none, although I have had plenty in support of Ruby this week, including the owners of Edgardo Sol.

So it was really sad to see Ruby so disillusioned with the sport after his superb willing ride on our Edgardo Sol, which saw him given a five-day whip ban for excellence.

His interview with Nick Luck on RUK on Wednesday night really saddened me, and no doubt many others. Listening to such a competitive and premier sportsman so downbeat, voicing his concerns for a sport that he now considers watered down, was depressing.

So let us hope someone, somewhere, can grab hold of the situation before any more talks of strikes are aired.

Yes of course Ruby has my support in his appeal next Thursday. But discussions behind closed doors, however heated and lengthy, are the way forward here. Not strike action, which probably won't have much support or sympathy outside of the weighing room and may actually be counter-productive to their cause.

I have spoken to Paul Roy about the situation and the matter that most concerns me is that the punishment doesn't fit the "crime" and the rules don't take into account the unintentional or instinctive reactions of a jockey, as in Ruby's case.

In rugby union, the referee has the option of not giving a penalty for accidental offside, such as when a player instinctively catches a ricocheting ball when he is an offside position.

So even in such a strict and complicated rulebook such as rugby, the referee has some latitude and can make a common sense decision. And that is what many jockeys feel has been taken away from the stewards; some degree of flexibility and common sense in such a dangerous, high-pressure and fast-action sport such as horseracing. That can't be too much to ask.

But it was great to have Ruby back on board my horses today, winning on Fistral Beach at Wetherby, and hopefully it will be that way for years to come.

He has my support, and crucially the support of my staff and owners and all here at Ditcheat.

The sport would really have shot itself in the foot if its premier riding practitioner could only be seen in action on TV or a visit to Ireland.


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14:10, 2m Novice Hurdle
Prospect Wells: My first runner for Andrea and Graham Wylie, and it is very exciting to have them in the yard. This horse mixed it in Group 1 company over middle distances in France after winning a 1m2f Group event at Saint Cloud, and made a winning Flat debut for Howard Johnson at Pontefract in June last year. Has evidently had plenty of problems since though, and reportedly they had problems getting him to jump last season. Wasn't easy to start with when he arrived here but has now jumped at least 200 obstacles. But you have to say that he isn't necessarily a natural and will definitely improve for the experience and we have to hope he takes to it on the course. Nevertheless, he clearly is a very smart horse - indeed I wouldn't have had many higher-rated Flat horses in the yard - if we can get him back on track.

14:40, 2m Novice Hurdle
Grandioso: Beat a fair sort in Pyjama Game on his racecourse debut in a good ground Musselburgh bumper, after which he was pitched in at the deep end at Aintree. Ran a fair race when an 18 length ninth of 20 at 50-1, and clearly has ability. Has schooled well in preparation for this and, although meeting plenty of unexposed rivals, hopefully he will run a big race.

15:10, 3m Handicap Hurdle
Ramses De Marcigny: Decent bumper performer who beat two subsequent winners when scoring at Newton Abbot in May, before disappointing over the same course and distance in a handicap 11 days later. His future probably lies over fences but hopefully the break will have done him good and the handicapper has dropped him 2lb. Has an each way chance against the favourite Well Hello There if he stays.

15:40, 3m Novice Chase
Red Harbour: Smart bumper and hurdler on his day and looked set to make a winning debut over fences at Haydock in May, before appearing to pull himself up and getting collared close home. Made hard work of winning at odds of 4-9 in a three runner race at Fontwell last time - his main market rival fell and the other made a mistake at the last - but he is better than that. Let's hope he shows it here but after this run he is eligible to run in handicaps, where he will be seen to better effect.

16:10, 2m4f Handicap Hurdle
Express Leader: Lightly-raced 8yo and picked up an injury after winning a maiden hurdle at Newton Abbot in May last year. Chasing will probably be his game but the handicapper has given him a chance off 114 here and it helps that his main market rival My Brother Sylvest has been withdrawn this morning. Will go well.

17:40, 2m NHF
Bold Chief: Has won three of his six starts in points, finishing runner-up on the other three occasions. As we saw here at Chepstow on Saturday, you never truly know the merit of the horses from this sphere until they race under Rules. But there look to be some interesting horses up against him here and I'd be happy with a place before he goes over obstacles.

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One person who would be better off going out in the dark in disguise when he gets back from America is John McCririck after a disgracefully misleading, and over the top, article about the whip in last Thursday's Daily Mail.

At one point, he wrote - and yes, this actually appeared in the paper - that "after all, if speed is all that matters, regardless of the animal's welfare, then why not attach electrodes to horses' private parts? The electric current would certainly send them shooting round the course".

Well, having spoken to many professionals in racing since then, I think we have an alternative use for the electrodes.

In all seriousness though, I stand by my Thursday tweet that he does racing more harm than good on many occasions - and this was one. He should think before he sounds off, and remember racing pays his wages!

Because what I read in the Mail just wasn't on, and trust me it has angered many jockeys, trainers and owners.

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14:10, Bold Addition

Has bounced back incredibly well from a life-threatening injury at Hereford in December 2009 and struck form with a vengeance towards the end of last season, rattling up a quick, fast ground, hat-trick, culminating in a win over course and distance in April. Retains his novice status until November 1, so runs here before we send him chasing, and he is fit enough to do himself justice and will love the ground. Although the race has only cut up to six runners, it has attracted some very smart performers, not least Henry De Bromhead's Sizing Symphony, an impressive winner at Fairyhouse last month. But I am confident he will give a very good account of himself.

14:45, That'll Do

Is another of mine who will love the anticipated fast ground here. Made a successful chasing debut when winning at Stratford before disapponting slightly in finishing a wide-margin runner-up in small fields on his next two starts. But probably ran his best race for us when fifth in a decent listed handicap chase at Newton Abbot last time on ground that was far too soft for him. Meets some in-form and classy opponents here (notably For Non Stop, who would have finished second in the Coral Cup but for a last-flight fall) so we're hopeful rather than confident. Has plenty of scope for further improvement though.

16:30, Ange Guerrier

Was a decent middle distance winner on the Flat in France, winning his final start over 1m4f at Deauville in 2009, but nearly died of colic last summer. With that in mind, an opening fifth at Taunton was not too disappointing, though his final start at Ffos Las certainly was. He clearly needs to improve to make his presence felt against some fair recruits from the pointing, bumper and flat spheres here, but his flat form gives me some cause for optimism as does his recent work. Runs in sheepskin cheekpieces for the first time, because he wears them at home. Ryan takes the ride as he looks after Ange Guerrier, who isn't the easiest, at home.

17:05, Earth Planet

Won over 3m2f at Hereford in June and, at one point at Newton Abbot last month, I thought he was going to win for my nephew Harry (having his first ride against professionals), before finding the gambled-on Qhilimar too strong (the fourth home there, Ethiopia, won at Chepstow on Saturday). Although his recent record at this course isn't great, Earth Planet has run some good races here in the past - notably when three-quarters-of-a-length second to Lie Forrit over hurdles two years ago - and let's hope he can go one better. Will like the ground and is fairly handicapped.

17:40, Rock of Deauville

This decent French Flat middle distance winner proved very frustrating last season, often travelling powerfully and finding little when asked. But he had a breathing operation mid-season and went on to record his best effort when sixth to What A Charm, with a tongue tie fitted, in the Fred Winter. Then went on to Ascot where he looked to be in a winning chance when falling two out. Certainly his homework suggests he should be competitive off a mark of 116 (though that is 4lb higher than at Cheltenham and Ascot), and Ryan takes a handy 3lb off. But he needs to start winning soon, though.

My best chance of the day would be Bold Addition.

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I have enough on my plate without getting too involved in the politics of the sport, but the decision has been made about the new whip rules and professionals in the sport have to give them a chance.

And I was happy to put my name behind them in the BHA press release last week, along with Sir Henry Cecil, Frankie Dettori and AP.

Don't get me wrong, I certainly wouldn't want to be riding these days and personally I was happy enough with the old rules. And having spoken to AP and Ruby about this at length this week, I can see both sides of the argument and the worries that some jockeys have.

There are new tough rules out there, and harsh penalties for those who transgress them, and they will take some adapting to.

But no-one can be in any doubt where they stand now - it is there in black and white - and we have to give the new rules a chance. And it could end up being for the betterment of the sport as a whole, not simply the perception, and that has to be good for everybody.

For example, it may improve the standard of jockeyship, and make jockeys strive to better themselves. Because the stronger and more accomplished riders will find it easier to adapt and cope.

I would have had no chance!

And the whip is not always the answer - and that was brought home to me with Big Buck's win in the World Hurdle. You would have thought he would be the last horse on whom you would want to lose your stick on, as Ruby did.

But win he did. Jockeyship, allied to the horse, won the day.

One offshoot of the whip rules is that I think you will see more of the lazier types wearing blinkers and cheekpieces, but let's see how everything pans out and go from there. And if tweaking is needed, then so be it and I hope there is some flexibility if needed.

But one thing I wasn't impressed with this week was Towcester racecourse, and their continued PR stunt about wanting to stage whipless and hands and heels races - and I am certainly not alone on that score.

Firm ground is obviously far damaging to horses than a few smacks with an air-cushioned whip and Towcester would be better served concentrating on providing safe ground and running a racecourse, as opposed to a PR agency.

It was good to see the BHA, and many trainers and jockeys, stand up to them.

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I have more new recruits in the yard than ever before this year - well over 50 if you factor in the arrivals from Graham Wylie - so it is still a case of 'getting to know you' with a lot of them.

As such, I could give you any number of Ten To Follow lists and miss out some high fliers.

In fact, I hope as many as possible surprise me as much as the likes of Silviniaco Conti did last year.

But two novice hurdlers that I know I would suggest following are Polisky and Jump City. And I clearly rate Sam Winner as a 2m novice chaser, and in that department look out for Escort'men, too.

At 2m+ on the chase front, the aforementioned Silviniaco Conti is an obvious horse to keep on side, as is Al Ferof. He is on target for Bangor on November 9, where I gather Peddlers Cross is an intended runner, too. That should be worth the entrance fee alone.

The pick of my juvenile hurdlers at this stage are Hinterland, Dildar and Ranjaan. But Zarkandar showed last season how slowly horses can take to get the hang of things at home, and how quickly they can progress once they get on the course.

I am really looking forward to seeing Michel Le Bon back on the track after two years out with a leg injury, and you could just see him in the Hennessy if we can get a run into him first.

Ghizao is the horse I am aiming at the Haldon Gold Cup, where he will lock horns with his old rival Captain Chris again (incidentally I think Sam Winner could be taking on Menorah on that Exeter card).

Kauto Stone is another horse that excites but the highest rated horse in the yard now is Master Minded on 178, and I have backed him at 7-1 for the King George. He is only rated 4lb behind Long Run.

But if you asked me to have another ante-post bet I would possibly say Zarkandar for the Champion Hurdle. Hurricane Fly will be a tough nut to crack but he is 2.7 on Betfair and my horse is available at bigger than 11.0. I believe in him and I think he is a speedier horse than Celestial Halo, who won the Triumph and who only lost out by a neck in the Champion Hurdle the following year. It is too early to say if the breathing operation has improved him, but fingers crossed.

Looking elsewhere, two horses that I would nominate as top-class novice chase prospects are Grands Crus and Peddlers Cross. Hopefully, the latter will start off on a losing note behind Al Ferof at Bangor next month!

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