Weekend Review

Thank you to those clients who have ordered the Cheltenham and Aintree Updates during the last few days - it is greatly appreciated. Don't forget, the Cheltenham Festival Update will include information regarding the early weeks of the Flat turf season.

Having suggested Myretown ante post for the Grand National in the February Update, I am afraid the decision backfired after Lucinda Russell's Cheltenham Festival winner pulled up in the Grand National Trial at Haydock Park on Saturday. On his toes beforehand, Derek Fox immediately sent his mount to the front and, having got into a good rhythm, he jumped well and appeared to be still full of running turning for home. However, the complexion of the race changed soon after the third last with the nine year old weakening quickly following the penultimate fence. While his cause wasn't helped by the fact he was pestered from the outset, his stamina evidently gave way and he won't be lining up at Aintree in April. It was a gamble which didn't pay off. Update selection Deafening Silence ran well in fourth and held every chance. Beaten less than three lengths, Harry Skelton made plenty of use of him but there were no excuses otherwise.

Earlier in the day, Top 40 entry Manlaga booked her ticket for the Cheltenham Festival with an impressive success in the Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle. Runner-up on her UK debut at Doncaster last month, the Maxios filly was partnered by Brian Hughes and, having smooth headway turning for home, she quickened away after the last to win comfortably by two and a quarter lengths. Fourteen years earlier, former stablemate Une Artiste won the same contest before following up in the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham. That is the ex-French filly's target and she ought to be very competitive.

During the afternoon, I spoke to Dan Skelton who withdrew Kabral Du Mathan from the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle. Unbeaten in two runs since joining the yard, the progressive youngster is likely to be entered for the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell next Sunday but he may choose to give him a racecourse gallop instead. Despite having reservations about aiming the six year old at the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham next month, it certainly hasn't been ruled out. Dan also said it is the plan to run Hoe Joly Smoke (Ladbrokes Trophy Chase), Double Measure (Dovecote) and Precious Man (Adonis Hurdle) at Kempton next Saturday.

Value Racing Club had an afternoon to remember at Ascot with Walden making it three wins from his last four starts in the staying handicap hurdle. Tackling three miles for the first time, the Tom Lacey trained gelding defied a mark of 115 pulling clear after the second last to register a six and a half lengths victory. Purchased for £22,000 in May 2024, the Waldpark gelding has won half of his eight starts since joining the syndicate.

On Sunday, Gallivanted (7/1) provided the Changing Codes section in One Jump Ahead with a winner at Musselburgh. Bought out of Tom Clover's yard for 70,000gns in July, the Galiway gelding underwent wind surgery and evidently benefited from his hurdles debut at Ludlow eleven days ago. Harry Derham's charge was prominent throughout before keeping on well. The four year old could be ideal for a valuable juvenile handicap hurdle at Ascot during the spring.

I am working at Carlisle on Monday, an eight race card which includes French import He's On Fire. The five year old, who raced three times for Yannick Fouin (same source as Lossiemouth and Min) in his native country, will sport the pink and green silks of Rich and Susannah Ricci - their last and only other runner at the Cumbrian track was Benie Des Dieux who won a Listed mares' chase in December 2017. 

Later in the week, I will be conducting more interviews for Ahead On The Flat. Once I have finalised the Talking Trainers list, I will update the website with full details.