Author: Russ

Since her run of major successes in big races at the back end of 2024, the form of the Venetia Williams yard has been very inconsistent with several of the leading horses and many of the lesser lights under performing. However, in the last few days of January and into February they have returned to…

The superb form of the Joel Parkinson Sue Smith yard has provided owners Peters and Ford with a memorable few weeks. O’Connell and Tara’s Hill being well backed and winning four races. I fully expect Rialannah to provide them with another trip to the winners enclosure on Tuesday. The 6yo showed improved form last time…

The in form Emma Lavelle team look to have found an ideal opportunity for Two To Tango to break his maiden tag, dropped down in class in the finale at Taunton. The 7yo has been given plenty of time and has shown a good level of consistency without winning but the gelding showed improved form…

Tim Vaughan and Alan Johns have an excellent strike rate at Carlisle and it is no coincidence that they send their improving 5yo gelding Kalium to the track for his handicap hurdle debut on Monday. The 5/2 on offer looks good value where the main danger is the weak finisher Golden Maverick and the remainder…

The month of January was one to forget for the yard, who struggled for form and suffered due to the poor weather. However, at Wincanton on Thursday he gave an upbeat report on the condition of his horses following work on his gallops that had been damaged by heavy rain. He has two horses running…

The Micky Hammond yard is in decent form in recent weeks and they go into the weekend with several live chances. However Halpha Soleil looks the best bet for the yard today in the 1.35 at Catterick. Hammond has won this race for the past two years and everything indicates the 8yo has been primed…

Whilst many of Dan Skelton’s horses are being prepared for the Festival and will likely not show there best until March. There are still big prizes to go after in his pursuit of the Trainers title. Etalon has had a season that suggests a Cheltenham Handicap tilt is the main aim but my information is…

Few horses have caused more controversy and discussion this season than the 7yo Iroko – yes he is still only 7. As a 5 yo the JP Mcmanus owned gelding secured a memorable, victory in the Martin Pipe Handicap at the festival giving trainer Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero there initial Cheltenham Festival victory. Backed…

The yard of Sue Smith and Joel Parkinson is in a rich vein of form, especially with relatively unexposed young hurdlers improving for a step up in trip. They are sure to have a team ready for Wetherby on Saturday a track where they had a treble at the last meeting , but there are…

Trainers that hit form in the early part of the year are well worth following and we benefitted from this process with the gamble on the Parkinson Smith trained The Big Breac on Thursday Another yard that comes into its own in January is the Berwick based yard of Sandy Thomson. 2 of his last…