Ante-Post, Sandown - Saturday 7th March

13:50, European Breeders' Fund Betfair 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final

Fortune Timmy 12/1, 2pts win
Tennessee Tango 14/1, 2pts win

This is always one of the best punting races outside of the major spring festivals and this year looks no different. Entries came out today and the EBF Final again looks stacked full of potential improvers and lovely types for the future but the test is to try and find who's here for today. Chris Gordon's Fortune Timmy hacked up at Fontwell earlier in the season and he's gone in again there since. Fontwell has a stiff hill finish, like Sandown, and he's now got some nice experience of clambering up one. He's been beaten on his two starts away from the South Coast. The first defeat came at Kempton but he wasn't disgraced behind Supreme favourite Old Park Star that day on a sharp track over 2 miles. The other defeat came last time out at Cheltenham over a similar distance to this. He travelled well but was passed coming to the final fence by the eventual front two. What I liked is how he kept battling up the hill and the leaders didn't gain any more ground on him. Both those horses are nice types and the runner up that day had previously beaten Call Me Hugo who won the Morebattle at Kelso at the weekend. The form is there for all to see. He'll be near the head of the weights but one further down to note is Joe Tizzard's Tennessee Tango. He's always looked a lovely type even from his bumper days but it's fair to say he's taken time to come to himself. He was entered up in a handicap last month but connections swerved it and went for an easy win at Plumpton instead, perhaps keen to have a good crack at this race. He's a big galloping type who should relish this test and this will be his first go at a trip longer than 2 miles. 

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14:27, Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle

Rubber Ball 10/1, 2pts win

The early entries again look strong for the Imperial Cup and Khrisma would be a short priced favourite if lining up, for all she has questions to answer. So too does Mondo Man who would also be near the front end of the market. At slightly bigger odds is Neil King's Rubber Ball. He won at Newbury on Saturday but the trainer indicated he'd be keen to turn the strapping 6 year old out again in this and it could be wise to strike while the iron is hot. Rubber Ball hadn't done a thing right this season before winning last time out but he won well and ran through the line as if he would relish a stiffer track like Sandown. He was smashed off the boards last time out and with the stable in such hot form it may be wise to take a price now. 

Newbury - Saturday 28th February

I will be in Berkshire on Saturday and have a selection for all 7 races to end February (which I must say I'm glad to see the back of!). 

13:35, Simple Boost Tokens Now At BetVictor Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Treasure Planet 5/1, 2pts win

Paul Nicholls' youngster (a recruit from the flat) ran well to finish 4th behind a couple with Cheltenham aspirations at Wetherby in the Autumn before dismissing his rivals with disdain on his next start. It all went wrong at Aintree in December but he was keen that day and the soft ground probably wouldn't have suited. He's back on a sounder surface here and the experience from last time won't be lost on the son of Footstepsinthesand. 

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14:10, BetVictor Favourite Things, Bet Boosts Handicap Hurdle

Melon 8/1, 2pts win

Doctor Blue looked a young horse to follow last year but it's all gone a bit wrong of late and he doesn't rate a punting prospect yet. Brentford Hope has had another good season and should go close for all the ground may be lively enough for him. One at odds against the front market is Melon who will be ridden for the first time by Jonjo O'Neill since they finished 3rd at Cheltenham in the Autumn. The 5 year old can be forgiven a poor run at Windsor last time out as not all horses take to the track and he's still very lightly raced. He too may be better on a softer surface but it was decent ground when he ran well at Cheltenham and is off the same mark here in what will be a slightly less competitive affair. 

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14:40, BetVictor Now Non Runner No Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Noble Park 5/1, 2pts win

Rodney has been progressive this season and is respected in search of the 4 timer but he's now 22 pounds higher than the first of those wins and this looks like a fair race. Mon Champion is respected now that he's got his act together and could improve for the step up in trip for all the ex-French performer would have preferred a softer surface. Preference instead is for Nicky Henderson's Noble Park. The 7 year old bolted up at Lingfield in November but it hasn't been plain sailing since. He disappointed at Kempton on Boxing Day but never really travelled that day and put in a better performance when 3rd at Doncaster last time out on his first go at 3 miles. He was put in his place by a decent horse that day and trying to win the race cost him 2nd place. He's of interest now back down in trip and returned to a softer surface. He still looks like he'll be competitive off this mark and returned to optimum conditions he should run well. 

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15:15, 1 Up, Job Done At BetVictor Veterans' Handicap Chase

Our Power 7/1, 2pts win

Another veteran's race that looks wide open with plenty holding chances. Brave Kingdom is of serious interest here and could build on his 2nd place at Taunton last time out while Eldorado Allen continues to run well in these races and is back at a track he runs well at. Preference though is for Sam Thomas's Our Power. Last Spring he finished 3rd in both the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton and the Scottish National at Ayr of a higher mark. It's not been great this season so far but he's always looked like a horse who improves for better ground and a bit of Spring air. He's very well treated on old form now and looks worth chancing here. 

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15:45, BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase

Vincenzo 11/4, 2pts win

A par renewal of the Greatwood Gold Cup with a competitive look to it. Paul Nicholls always likes to have a runner in this and Twinjets looks to go well in search of another course win but has to lug 12 stone around here. Issam won well at Kempton and is improving but the ground may be quick enough for him and he tends to get a bit outpaced in his races. Heltenham won this 2 years ago and is again looking well weighted but needs a return to form here. It could be that Vincenzo gains revenge for being downed by Booster Bob 12 months ago. He's higher in the weights 12 months on but it's a slightly more winnable renewal now and he's in the form of his life. 

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16:23, Simple Racing Specials Daily At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle

Just A Rose 12/1, 2pts win

Huffin And A Puffin ran a remarkable race off such a long break to win at Doncaster last time out and could progress on to better things but the bounce factor is a worry. Lucky Bere is in great form but the ground here could be lively enough for him and although Tour Ovalie has a great course record, this may not set up quite as well for her. Instead at the prices it could be that Just A Rose represents value for Paul Nicholls. The mare looked top class when bolting up on debut last season before finding the Dawn Run all too much. She ran OK on seasonal debut but put in no sort of run in the Lanzarote last time out. The fact connections pitched her in that suggests she's still well thought off and this is much easier. It's likely that she'll appreciate the sounder surface and if she's back to her best she is very capable of taking this. 

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16:58, OLBG Mares' Open NH Flat Race

Princess Day 11/4, 2pts win

Malina Road deserves to be favourite after winning at Listed level at Market Rasen but Princess Day won very nicely on rules debut at Chepstow in December despite being mightily green up the home straight. She's entitled to build on that and if she does, she could take plenty of beating in this. 

Wetherby - Thursday 26th February

16:45, Racing TV For The Cheltenham Festival Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Laysoft 4/1, 2pts win

There must be a good chance that Laysoft has been let off lightly with a mark of 101 considering the company she's been keeping so far this season. Yes, she's been well beaten the last couple of times but by classy opposition and she's now handicapping off a feather weight here. 

Wincanton - Wednesday 25th February

15:20, Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Handicap Hurdle

Hans Lippershey 20/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Ben Case's hasn't managed a win yet but he's fairly weighted off a mark of 109 considering he's run in some pretty decent races to date so far. He's stepping up in trip on handicap debut here and could improve plenty for it. 

Kempton re-cap (Saturday 21st Feb)

13:10, Ladbrokes 'New Horse Racing Bet Builder' Handicap Hurdle

I managed to get on Olly Murphy's Hold The Serve at 3/1 on Friday, thinking that he'll shorten up. He did shorten up into 15/8 but so too did Grenadier Jed who opened up at 7/1 and was punted down to 7/4 fav at one point before drifting out to a 9/4 SP. Hold The Serve ran on well up the home straight to get the better of Royal Infantry with Grenadier Jed a fast finishing 3rd. The winner is a 3 mile chaser of the future but could go in again yet over hurdles before this season is out, maybe over 3 miles at Aintree. As for Grenadier Jed, a mid race flat spot cost him his chance and he may be suited to a more open track. Royal Infantry has proven he can mix it from his mark and ran well considering the poor stable form. The win made sure that I couldn't lose on the day, which was a huge boost to confidence after the disaster at Ascot last Saturday. 

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13:46, Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle

If it wasn't for the dismal stable form, I'd of made Precious Man a decent bet here but in the end I decided to leave the ran alone. I had it in the back of my mind that La Luna Artista could go close though but missed the early price and had to duly sit and watch Jane Williams's filly romp home (stable going well). Precious Man suffered a fatal fall at 2 out and although hard pushed, you couldn't say the race was over for all the winner looked likely to come out on top. It was a very sad postscript to the race and connections must be devastated to lose such a promising young horse. The winner won well enough in the end to have her trainer pondering bigger things for all it sounded as though Cheltenham will come too soon. Imagine Aintree will be on the agenda. One Horse Town ran well considering he couldn't get to the front due to the free going French raider but I imagine Harry Derham will see the Triumph as a bit of a free hit anyway. One who is unlikely to head to Prestbury Park is Nicky Henderson's Fantasy World. A big money buy who just hasn't looked to have the gears at 2 miles over obstacles. If they want to continue in this code, he may have to go up in trip. 

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14:25, Ladbrokes Pendil Novices' Chase

This race was late off due to the injury to Precious Man but they did well to make up time in the end. I thought Jax Junior would take the world of beating here as it looked a poor Pendil but I missed the even money and didn't want to get involved at odds-on so instead decided to have him in a double with one in the Ladbrokes Trophy later on (more on that later). Go West looked the main threat, if given a solo on the front end, and he was traveling well before banking into the last open ditch and that was his race over. From thereon in, it was plain sailing for Lucy Wadham's progressive young chaser and he won well in the end. He looks better at this trip but connections are entitled to have a go at the Arkle nonetheless and he's capable of being in the first 5. The Paddy Power could be a big early target next season. 

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15:00, Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle

This was the race I got most involved in on the day. I made Klub De Reve a decent bet here and managed to get enough on at 9/2. He duly bolted up over course and distance in a decent novice on Boxing Day and it spoke volumes that connections were keen to target this. Nicky Henderson and JP's Mustang Du Breuil was being well backed and I managed to get on at 3/1 to make the French import a winner in the book, albeit not as big. It ate into likely profits but when the market speaks so well for a Henderson youngster it's best to keep them onside. In the end Harry Derham's 6 year old ran out a clear winner and it will be interesting to see if he takes up his entry in the Supreme or waits for Aintree, either way he'll be a lovely chaser in time. Chris Gordon's Kocktail Bleu bounced back to form here and could land a big handicap if he keeps his progression up. Mustang Du Breuil ran on well from an unpromising position up the straight, he lost the race when he dropped back through the pack at the half way point. He's clearly talented and will win more races. I was now well up for the day heading into the big race. 

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15:35, Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase

I had spied that Lookaway was freely available at 20/1 mid-week for this and very nearly had some money on, but in the back of my mind he'd be at least 14/1 on the day given I didn't really believe he had enough in hand from the handicapper to claim a race like this. When I saw he was no better that 8/1 by the morning of the race I had no choice to take him on and did so all day while he shorted. I considered Anthony Honeyball's Kdeaux Saint Fray the most likely winner and had him in a double with Jax Junior that paid about 12/1. Both of Emmett Mullins' runners were backed at double digit odds as well and a saver was invested on Katat Dori in case he managed to back up last year's win. In the end I had plenty laid out on the race but had to sit and suffer while Neil King's likeable 9 year old Lookaway fended off all challengers up the straight to run out a game winner. I'm not sure where he will go from here, maybe Aintree, but it doesn't matter after winning such a big prize. Doyen Chief ran on well to finish 2nd and connections must be delighted with him. I imagine it will all be about coming back here in 12 months time to go one better. Kdeaux Saint Fray ran well to finish 3rd but was ultimately outstayed. He's worth continuing with at the trip before going back down in distance as this was a hot race to have a first go at 3 miles in. Hoe Joly Smoke moved well throughout but found little like many of the stable's runners are at the moment and he should be considered for wherever he's going later on. Neither of the Irish horses ran well and that was disappointing. I was still in front for the day but this had put a bit of a dent in profits. 

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16:05, 'Join Ladbrokes Bet 5 Get 30' Handicap Chase

I made this a 2 horse race between Bad and Califet En Vol. In the end the Henderson horse looked to have way more up his sleeve from a handicapping point of view so made sure I had enough on at 9/4 to win back the losses from the last race. A saver was laid on Bad and off we went. In the end it was pretty nice watching throughout and although Viroflay made a fight of it up the straight, de Boinville always looked to have matters in hand. I couldn't say where the winner will go now but he's progressive and should be kept on side whereas Bad is now looking poorly handicapped. 

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16:40, Ladbrokes 'Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing' Open NH Flat Race

I was back where I was before the big race and although the last race looked pretty open (as it should for a classy bumper with decent prize money) I made Jane Williams' Merlin Allen a fair bet at 7/2. He ran well and looked the likely winner turning in but couldn't match the finishing effort of Fine Shot who won well in the end for the King and Queen. He's a horse going places off the back of this whilst the runner up, Rattlin Home, was pick of the paddock and will make a lovely chaser in time. He finished fast to fill out the runner up spot and considering the stable form this effort should be marked up. He'll likely win wherever he goes next whilst I wouldn't discount Merlin Allen next time out either. 

In the end it was a profitable day and despite a few losers at Chepstow (Don't Tell Rosie was a gutter), I made back most of what was lost at Ascot last week. I go into the end of February just a nose in profit for the year so far after what has been a bruising month on the whole. It's important to keep the confidence in this game however and I'm happier ending the month in a bit of form than doing it the other way round with Cheltenham just around the corner. I will be at Newbury on Friday and Saturday this weekend for what is usually a decent couple days worth of action. 

Ante-Post: Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (Kempton, Saturday 21st February)

In D'or 12/1, 2pts win
Hoe Joly Smoke 12/1, 2pts win

This race has had a proper injection of pace and organisers look set to be rewarded with a quality field. It often pays to look for up and comers from the foot of the weights and in that vein of though Fergal O'Brien's In D'or is interesting. He's in here off the same mark as when 3rd at Ascot last time behind 2 subsequent scorers and he pulled clear of the 4th after the last. He's only an 8 year old and looks to be improving all the time. Another 8 year old that must enter calculations is Dan Skelton's Hoe Joly Smoke. He's only run at Cheltenham so far this season but he's not really been quick enough to win over the shorter trip there after a decent season debut over 3 miles in October. He's twice a winner at Sandown and this return to a longer trip is what he's been crying out for. 

Ascot - Saturday 14th February

 It's been a quiet February but I will be at Ascot for what looks set to be a cracking card including a fascinating Ascot Chase. Will Jonbon cement his Ryanair credentials today?

13:15, Betfair Novices' Hurdle

Catchintsavo 11/2, 1pt win

The opener here looks a decent contest and it deserves to be with a fair roll of honour over the years. These are all unexposed types but Catchintsavo held on gamely from the front at Ludlow last time out from a subsequent scorer who was in receipt of weight that day. The Anthony Honeyball runner had previously finished 2nd to the decent Laguna Beach the time before and had good bumper form, as shown when finishing third at the Punchestown meeting. Now he's got his head in front, he could take the next step and he could be given an easy time up front here, being a proven stayer who likes to get on with things. 

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14:25, Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle

Lightningupourdays 9/2, 2pts each-way (4 places)

Alistair Ralph's yard continue in good nick and his runner here must have a decent chance off a low weight. The 7 year old finished 3rd in a hot race at Hereford last time out and looks fairly treated now having been nudged up 2 pounds. He came on for his seasonal debut last season to win at the second time of asking (beaten by classy Wendigo on appearance) and although he finished the campaign by finishing 3rd at Newbury in March, both the front two have gone on to better things since. 

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15:00, Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase

Invincible Nao 16/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

The big handicap chase of the day at Ascot is dominated in the market by those off low weights but that's not surprising as Sam Brown is lumping plenty here. There looks to be plenty of pace on here and this could turn into a real test so it may pay to go with one who could ghost into this from the rear. Gary and Josh Moore's Invicible Nao has had an in-and-out career but comes into this off the back of some decent efforts in defeat over marathon trips. He's shaped the last twice as if this drop back to 3 miles is a good move despite the fact he won the Sussex National last year. The return to a softer surface here will help and even though he's 4 pound out the handicap he could run well here at big odds. 

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16:10, Betfair Handicap Hurdle

Top Guy 5/1, 2pts each-way (5 places)
High Treason 20/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

This is a red hot handicap and it could be that a similar race at Newbury last month is going to provide the clues into this. The winner of that race is now favourite for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham next month and Top Guy ran on really well from the back of the last to finish 2nd there. He's still well treated and runs here off a low weight for powerful connections. He shaped as though he'll love getting back on a softer surface and must have a huge chance. Just in behind him that day was High Treason. The 7 year old hasn't enjoyed chasing but looked much more at ease back over the smaller obstacles that day and plugged on well up the straight when he raced alone on the inside. He too will like the ground here and could well build on that effort now connections seem happy to go down the staying hurdle route.