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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…

The weather has thankfully relented to allow a great day of racing on Saturday and with ground looking to be on the good side it provides a great opportunity for Tightenourbelts to win the Great Yorkshire Chase the 3.15 at Doncaster. This looks an average renewal, with the top-rated runner on a mark of 141.…

With Yaroogh’s attempt to capture the UAE 2,000 Guineas aborted it looks like another quiet week next week , with only the stock horses that are keeping the yard ticking over at this point in the AW season entered. In January the yard has sent out 2 winners from 15 runners which would show a…

The North Yorkshire yard of Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith are slow burners on the National Hunt scene, traditionally coming to life only at the turn of the year. They have followed that pattern this season, hitting form around Christmas with big winners at Market Rasen with O’Connell Street and at Uttoxeter with Tara Hills.…

The Harry Derham team have already had to survive a major setback to the season when they gallops where washed away by the storms. They have done remarkably well to get the show back on the road so quickly and the horses are back running in excellent form. One of the last winners before the…

With eyes focused on Ascot – nearby Lingfield offers a Saturday morning race card, and the opportunity for our first Haggas bet of 2025 when Santorini Star returns to the track in the 10f Class 2 handicap due off at 1.25. Those that followed me in 2024 will already be in profit from the filly,…

The stable is geared up for Yaroogh’s attempt to capture the UAE 2,000 Guineas next week , Tom Marquand will take the mount. More on his chances as the week progresses So far in January the yard has sent out 2 winners from 11 runners which would show a loss of over 6pts to level…

A fascinating five days of racing that started with Newbury on Wednesday continues with headline meetings at Wincanton Thursday and Windsor on Friday. I had considered backing the Henderson trained duo of Ideal Des Bordes in the 12.50 Wincanton but feel the chase debutant will be too short in the market first time over fences.…