Carlisle - Reach for a Whiskey

The last outing before Cheltenham week meant a trip across the mountains to an extremely windy Cumbria for a fiddly little card in which business was expected to be thin on the ground.

There was very little to get excited about in the opener with Miss Estela looking a pretty solid favourite against a very moderate looking bunch both physically and form-wise, but she ran no sort of race and has become very disappointing.

The second race was probably the race of the day, a deep-looking novices handicap chase from which there will be a few winners.

It looked competitive but we were soon able to whittle them down to a small handful, as I didn't particularly fancy Marlee Mourinho, a big rather ungainly animal who has had a fair few chances and wasn't certain to appreciate this right-handed track.

Having viewed some videos of Midnight Request I thought he looked very one-paced and although having enough size for fences he was a very short price to go in on debut over the larger obstacles.

Whiskey Chaser looks one to follow

Leney Cottage was one to have on your side as was Our Boy Ben from the in form Jefferson yard, although the six-year-old remains on the weak side for the time being.

There's no getting away from the fact that Whiskey Chaser was a big price as he was in effect a winner without a penalty after he unshipped young Cowley at Leicester when coming to win his race.

A big chasing sort, anything he did over hurdles was immaterial and he is starting out from a very low base. He was very backable if you ignored the big drift and he was given a good positive ride in the front rank off what was a pretty fast pace. He will continue to be of interest with his jumping looking a real asset.

The run of Midnight Request was fascinating, after he made a very bad mistake early he came there with every chance before being outpaced again. I'm of the firm impression that very soft ground is the key to him, where a slower pace will help get his jumping together. He does look one-paced though and maybe three miles will also be required.

Leney Cottage also made mistakes and this point winner will benefit from the experience - again they just seemed to be going half a stride too quick for him - while Vasco D'Ycy relished the extra yardage and could yet get off the mark over longer distances.

I was a big fan of Grove Silver before he won at Sedgefield earlier in the season when the Candlish yard had just hit form, but he didn't take the eye in anything like the same way today. It may be that once again it is a case of him filling out as the season has gone on and could be something that I need to address when appraising the horses.

I thought he was really opposable although I didn't especially fancy anything to beat it with the ratings giving him an obvious chance. Wolf Sword is a big sturdy animal who is only progressing at a moderate rate, while Westend Star came in third but is really plain looking, especially when you consider what he cost.

Becausehesaidso has gone backwards fast after his very hard race in a bumper here, and I liked Tambour Major, a point winner who looked quite a nice type, tall with a bit of substance. I backed him to be in the first four and hilariously he was done by a nose on the line. Well, you've got to laugh. D Costello, you owe me.

Grey Life was a warm order to land the handicap chase and although I've not warmed to the horse this term it was hard to build a case for anything else.

Jefferson's horse is not over-big and like so many greys looks to be carrying condition, but has a good pop in him and was more than good enough to see off the disappointing Ultra De Chatalet and Sergeant Pink, who is a big horse but was fit for this after a long break bar a spin on the flat.

Greybougg was the paddock pick ahead of Poker School

The next saw an effective match between Poker School, who ran into one when the cash was down last week, and Greybougg who was really well backed to win for the second time in 48 hours.

You could see why they wanted to run him so quickly again as he looked delighted to be back at the track and is a very enthusiastic looking horse, very active.

I had in mind Poker School's weak finishing effort at Donny and although he did little wrong here the money for the winner was well placed. The Hawke yard is flying at present and they had a similar type in the bumper that also hacked up.

Prior to that was an impossible looking handicap chase for the stayers, hosting many of the usual suspects. It was daft to even consider sorting them out on looks with Armedanddangerous the only real negative, looking quite moody and running in similar fashion, while Irish raider One Cool Clarkson was of interest as a potential wild card but his run came to nothing.

It's a fair reflection of the race that Basford Ben was able to win again. While he's a fair sort for the owners he's usually one to take on, although he does seem to love it here.

The bumper looked like it might be alright but Hawke's Speredek was the most forward of them all, and with form already in the book was another worthy favourite. There's nothing on Beer Goggles so he must have some engine to run to the mark he does and will be of interest in another 12 months.

McCain's Mahler And Me is really backward while Bollin Ace is quite big and strong and will be better over obstacles, but Rocklim was very small and lean and is another from the Ewart yard who has not progressed.

Round-up - Sedgefield/Wetherby Dec 4/5

Thin gruel for Northern racing fans this week with a dismal card at Sedgefield followed by pretty poor stuff at Wetherby. Not much to go at but one or two notes of interest.

The meeting passed an inspection but they by-passed the final fence as they did for so many meetings last season. There wasn’t much punting appeal although I wanted to make the trip up the A19 to see a handful of horses for the first time this season.

Sedgefield

Huehuecoytle looked a very difficult ride when winning a bumper at the track for D McCain last season but he’s a really well related and is a fine stamp of a chaser in the making.

Once again his greenness/attitude was very much in attendance as he wandered around at many of the obstacles. However he had poached a good lead at the second last with the rest apparently going knowhere. Under a very hard drive Huehuecoytle was not helping his jockey at all and they were nabbed close home by McCain’s Whitsundays, who looked quite a nice animal beforehand.

I can’t help but think that softer hands might have got the K Dalgleish horse home. I’m no jockey (obviously) but there didn’t seem any need to get stuck into him so soon in the straight – if anything the runner-up could have done with some company. And for a rider of Harding’s experience it’s surprising he left a gap up the favoured running rail for the eventual winner to come through.

Sue Smith’s Karisma King once again looked a difficult sort in the prelims but he settled a bit better over this longer trip and stayed on pretty well. He should now get a mark, as should Agentleman who didn’t seem to get home but is another who looks sure to do well in handicaps, and on better ground.

Not A Bother Boy delivered for a second time after I had given up on him prematurely, when the yard probably ran him back too quickly second time up. He’s just a big baby and is only doing what he has to do.

This wasn’t a strong race again and Heron’s Mill looks one to avoid after failing to get home once more. He’s every inch a chaser but the way he keeps stopping suggests he still has a problem. Silver Dragon is a proper monkey and ran on again after dropping the bridle, while Thatildee probably ran to his Hexham form.

Mixboy was not a horse I took to last year as he’s pretty small and didn’t take the eye at all. Although he didn’t carry my money you would have to say he looked a better animal here, stronger and better in his coat.

The money came for Blake Dean but he’s not a horse I could EVER back. Without wishing to be rude the horse is a complete shit, as advertised when coasting to the front two out at this track last year only to ‘turn it in’.

Now I may be preaching to the converted here but backing these perpetually disappointing animals is the short cut to skintsville. Sure enough the little horse spat it out a mile from home before consenting to run on again to nab third and frustrate layers in the place market.

Orchard Road won a weak race here last year but he remains on an 8lb higher mark and didn’t get home in the manner of a horse with a possible breathing issue. He looked fit enough, while Baraboy is surely nailed by the assessor now.

Whiskey Chaser was nominated as one of my five to follow and opened his campaign with a turgid display. The way he stopped suggests there may be a problem, although the track and trip certainly would not have been in his favour. But it was too bad to be true and fitness didn’t look to be an issue.

The penny appears to have dropped with Verko, who has always looked as though he could develop into a horse better than his basement mark. He appeared to pick up the pieces in a shocking race at Hexham but after getting outpaced again here, stayed on stoutly like an improving horse.

He looked very healthy, unlike stablemate Roxyfet who is normally a perky sort but was very flat in the prelims and ran as though this was one run too many in recent weeks. For a young horse he has a ton of mileage.

McGregor’s Cottage is a very well related filly and a nice stamp of a horse who took the bumper with ease. The form of Moonshine Ridge’s bumper win on good ground didn’t look up to much but this leggy sort appeared to go on this much deeper terrain alright, probably more that she ran into one. Final Fling ran on okay into third to back up his debut effort and although I’m not fond of the yard ought to be up to winning a staying event when sent over timber.

Wetherby

An uninspiring fixture back down the A1 with the long odds-on Bon Enfant duly landing the opener despite a minor scare from the Hammond-trained Dakota Grey, quite a nice looking horse who wasn’t at all flattered by this performance. He was very straight for this but it was a good start.

Leanna Ban is a strapping chaser who will come on plenty for his run in third and again he looks one to keep onside if they can find some decent ground this winter.

Mossies Well took on Mysteree in the novices handicap chase and the long-absent Russell-trained gelding was not short of fitness beforehand. The son of Gold Well stays all day and took advantage of a couple of mistakes from his rival. There’s a suspicion Mossies hadn’t fully recovered from his Hexham run three weeks ago, although he could have come up against a very well handicapped horse going places.

It was hard to fancy any in the staying hurdle but fair play to Native Optimist who has proved me wrong in no uncertain terms. Gifted a couple of weak races at Hexham, I thought the handicapper had been very harsh but he just loves this deep ground and as is often the case he looked in great heart before the race.

It was full of disappointing sorts although there was a chink of light for Forty Crown, who looked better than usual and the blinkers had appeared to put a spring in his step. He travelled like a dream before failing to get home (not for the first time proving he doesn’t stay). I’ve no doubt if this was run over 2m4f he would have won well, but now the cat’s out of the bag and it remains to be seen whether the blinds will work as well a second time.

The feature race was very trappy but the shrewdies got it right when the money came for Clan William, by far the least exposed of the field. I wasn’t sure he was up to Class 3 but under another fantastic Danny Cook ride he made all in a race full of prominent racers.

The one to take from this is Sleepy Haven, who shaped like a very well-handicapped horse. However, it is to be hoped they revert to timber with him as he really doesn’t have the scope for fences and made numerous minor errors. The Candlish yard is cold as ice but the horse looked in great nick and when the kennel returns to form he should be backed.

I’ve knocked the aggressive tactics employed on Vendor since he has returned to the track and it was pleasing to see Cook sit off the pace before putting the handicap hurdle to bed early in the straight.

Unfortunately the price was not one that interested me after sustained support although it was hard to put anything up against him. Cooper once again got rather wound up beforehand and this tiny horse had run his race by the time the race began in earnest. Sa Suffit and Stopped Out both looked and shaped as though the race would bring them on.

Another horse I have got wrong this term is Special Wells, who failed to stay on this first go at 3m in the handicap chase. In truth he made bad errors at the first down the back on both circuits but to be honest you can’t keep making excuses for horses. Things haven’t gone his way and although he looks far too good a horse not to succeed at this game, the jury is out – big time.

In reality this did look a penalty kick for Courtown Oscar who has always looked a gorgeous big horse and he jumped superbly out of this ground. These conditions serve him best and he’s just the type to keep improving. The partnership with JR is a match made in heaven. The Toft was an interesting recruit but he looks very slow and showed nothing.

I was very interested in the well bred Jack Lamb in the bumper and although he was backed off the boards I was a little disappointed in his appearance, as although a nice type was quite leggy and immature. He looked ill at ease on the ground and was well beaten by Applaus, a good strong horse who paid tribute to the horse it finished behind at Carlisle trained by D Elsworth.

And so ends a week to forget. We can only hope that the weather relents in the coming weeks otherwise it's going to be a long old winter.

On a more positive note I'm planning to put some selections up on the blog before racing. The bulk of my profit comes from handicap chases and I'm going to focus on these over the coming months. Hopefully readers will enjoy these previews and benefit from the advice given.

Hexham/Newcastle

Hexham

Quite a decent little card and seasonally heavy conditions greeted the runners, while an extremely gusty wind blew across the track making life as hard for punters as it was for participants.

A tidy novices handicap chase was the first port of call and I wasn't keen on Alizee De Janiero, who although has heavy ground form connections always said she's better on good. With no form on undulating tracks and being a bit lean and leggy she was plenty short enough in the betting.

My Little Cracker was also popular but hasn't achieved a great deal in winning twice over timber and she only strikes you as moderate looking at her.

I'd always given Eastview Boy a good write up here and when the money came for him on this first try over fences he became of interest, not withstanding the fact that N Moscrop was on board and that a flat track and better ground may suit best.

Clan Legend, who looked pretty straight, was backed into a short price, and despite a high mark after last season's success made light of conditions to win pretty convincingly, jumping notably well.

Virnon gave vain chase and he went off a massive price suggesting somebody thought he wouldn't be winning, but he's a nice big chaser who can win over fences in similar conditions. It may be that he bumped into one.

The staying chase had a really good shape to it with a few I couldn't have and a favourite in D'Nailor who was opposable on the back of a solitary chase outing, he isn't over-big and breeding suggested the trip may be too far.

I was hugely against Runswick Relax who doesn't seem to be holding condition, he looked quite lean and reportedly bled, and will remain one to oppose. Course specialist Gibbstown looked well but the majority of her form has come in the spring.

It looked like Landmeafortune would go well on this first try at 3m, he's been crying out for a trip as whenever you see Roselier on the distaff side you know there's stamina in abundance.

But he's a bit unfurnished (M Todhunter) and the one who really caught the eye was Smuggler's Stash, who looked well in his coat and perked up by the first time blinds in the prelims. This slow, lazy sort emanated from the in-form Dobbin yard and a repeat of his good run behind I Just Know here last time would be enough. It surely was - but he'll need these extreme tests to be seen to best advantage.

The conditions found out many of the mares in the novice hurdle although daughter of Flemensfirth Lastbutnotleast went through it alright and this strong six year old had too much in her armoury.

Bailey's Champagne To Go didn't look up to much and ran as though attitude is getting in her way, but there were eye-catching performances from Floramoss and Catchamat - the former extremely tenderly handled while the latter is a winner between the flags that wouldn't have had much assistance from the saddle.

I quite liked Sunset Marquis as a specimen, she cost a few quid from Ireland and has ability but her head carriage wasn't great so she has a question to answer. That said, these were tough conditions.

Just Georgie had to be supported in the next over 2m 6f just 11 days on from being brought down at Newcastle, with trip, track and ground all in his favour. Four days later I'm still baffled as to why he stopped at the top of the hill after trading very short. He might have just needed the run still, or maybe he didn't see it out. He's always shaped like a stayer and a bit paceless over shorter, so I'm not sure where this leaves us.

Swing Hard needed the run badly, and The Drinkymeister looked to need the run too, although he was well beaten before fitness became an issue. Verko still looked unfit, but Whiskey Chaser was straight. He was dismal on his return last term, so maybe he can turn it round again. I've always felt he was a nice horse.

The staying hurdle didn't throw up an easy option with course winner Innis Shannon arguably looking value on her return to timber. Master Rajeem has the size of chaser but he's had a new lease of life after moving to the A Hamilton yard and deserved to win it, holding on dourly to beat Flemerina who took an age to get going under a surprisingly laboured effort from her rider.

The finale looked a tricky little handicap chase but in the absence of anything taking the eye I was happy to give Halcyon Days another go after he disappointed at Musselburgh. I thought he was being rushed around that fast track and was hoping he would brush aside doubts about the ground.

He did it really well, just tying up at the end. Spoils Of War finally produced something akin to his much earlier form with a staying on second and he can surely build on this now with a longer trip sure to suit on breeding.

I got to know Clan Chief well enough last seaosn not to fall for his charms again, and he duly clattered a number of fences, while Miss Conway had form tied in with the winner but she's a robust mare who didn't look especially straight and she showed enough before getting weary before the final fence.

Newcastle

Following a pleasant stay in Hexham we headed off down the A69 to Gosforth Park amid torrential rain that ensured the ground rode a good bit softer than the official good to soft that opened proceedings.

Ballycrystal once again looked terrific as he defied a penalty in the opening novice. He's yet to fully strengthen but he's getting loads of experience and he jumped and stayed in the style of a decent operator.

I was disappointed with Our Dancing Paddy at Haydock and he was better here faced with a stamina test, although he wasn't quite right beforehand, getting very warm. He may need time but could make a nice chaser.

The novice chase saw the return of Waiting Patiently just 16 days on from his impressive debut over larger obstacles, and once again he was mustard as he swept aside a very solid benchmark on Forest Bihan.

You can guarantee the latter has run to 140 at least, and with both principles jumping fluently this is excellent northern form. Whether Waiting Patiently can compete with the big boys we can only guess, but Mr Jefferson has another tool to go to war with on this evidence. I haven't seen B Hughes quite so animated in the post race debrief.

A very weak handicap hurdle was taken by Loch Linnhe who had shown snippets of form in bumpers and indeed last time at Hexham. But the opening mark looked stiff and he wasn't easy to find, but he relished the step up in trip and he saw off Hi Bob, who looked quite a bit fitter than at Sedge and he too enjoyed the extra real estate, only bumping into one.

Brackenmoss Rory came in for early support but the cash dried up late on and he was essentially given a jog round at the back, staying on through beaten horses after appearing to semi-plant himself at the start. His mark needs to come down and he's still quite a weak four year old...but his time will come.

Sedgefield winners Maxed Out King and Cabragh took each other on under penalties at an intermediate trip in the next but the market got it right with the heavily backed Smith horse winning well despite an error three out.

Cabragh didn't look like he was over his race over a marathon trip last week, but still ran well enough to suggest he can be competitive off a higher rating. He'll want three miles though. It was a poor race with Money Maid taking second by default - she ran her race and was fit enough to do so, but she looks in the handicapper's grip.

Annie Alainn was a weak jolly in a poor handicap hurdle over 2m but it was hard to put much up against her and she was really up for it, getting a tad warm late on. She bolted up and will have to go under a penalty as she may struggle off a much higher mark - this was really weak stuff.

I liked the handicap chase over the minimum trip as Captain Hox was a warm order despite being a complete hound, a total wet blanket off the bridle. A line went through Zaru from the dreaded Ewart barn while Boss des Mottes showed regressive tendencies last time and he's been on the go for ages now.

With Caraline not ready fitness wise it really only left Groomed and Rosquero as quite decent prices although the big numbers for the former were long gone.

I've quite taken to old Rosquero of late, he's not done an awful lot wrong and has found consistency at a decent level. On this ground the minimum trip is doable and he looked sure to go well, while Groomed was back over fences after a couple of spins over timber when he looked decidedly burly.

The pair duly fought it out, Cook out-riding Bewley from the last to win going away after Rosquero looked to have things sewn up. But you've always got a chance with Cooky and he delivered for his legion of fans again.

The Smith yard has been pretty forward this term and another nice looking bumper horse emerged in the finale by the name of Blottos, with Cook again doing the steering.

This nice horse was backed to the exclusion of much else against the warm favourite in Mayo Star, who didn't have a great deal to beat on this fourth and final start on the flat. I like the horse, he's become big and strong, and he'll do better over obstacles now he's matured - he wasn't so green this time as in the past and he ran into a professional sort last time.

Offshore Oscar came in for support but didn't impress physically, being particularly weak in front, while Arctic Vodka looks a nice prospect but is too tall and weak to be producing the goods on this sort of ground.

Dobbins duo Ruby Who and Heather Burning are fair sorts for the future as is Skywards Reward, a big robust animal who might take a couple of runs to get straight.

Horses to follow

First, let me just preface this list by saying that I haven’t entered a ’10 to follow’ competition or such like since I grew up.

I did cough up three quid to do some sort of tipping thing at Cheltenham this year, but then forgot about it until a couple of weeks later. It's not my thing.

Compiling a list seemed like a bit of fun when I was too young to bet; I remember calling in my selections at break time from the public phone at school having entered the Leicester Mercury’s daily naps contest as a young teen.

I finished down the field then and subsequently felt that sort of lark wasn’t for me. I find horses you want to follow at the start of the season are usually injured or dead by Christmas.

So I apologise to connections of the following horses if your beloved stable pet doesn’t make it to see in the New Year. It is my fault.

I should also say that I haven’t been in touch with any stables concerned so I’ve no idea if these horses are being readied for a winter campaign as I publish this. Let’s hope so.

Finally, the horses in this list are not generally expected to run up sequences. They are well-handicapped and ready to go in when ideal conditions are met.

FRIENDLY ROYAL (Mrs S Smith)

I would love to have seen the look on Sue’s face when Harvey returned from the sales having forked out a colossal £22k for this beast!

I make it that the Smiths have at least 10 horses going chasing this season all being well and with strong jockeys Danny Cook and Sean Quinlan currently in favour this could be an exciting campaign for followers of the yard.

This rangy Royal Anthem gelding hasn’t set the world alight over timber but guess what, he’ll really come into his own over fences. Add to the equation a combination of 3m+ and soft ground and we’ll have a serious betting proposition.

They managed to get six educational runs into him either side of a mid-winter break where his runs at Wetherby in November and Newcastle in March stood out.

He’s chucked in off a mark of 100 and I expect him to be rated at least 20lbs higher by the spring having picked up at least a couple of chase wins along the way.

BEG TO DIFFER (J O'Neill)

Really looking forward to seeing this son of Flemensfirth returning to action this winter.

I saw him twice last term, at Wetherby and Carlisle, and was really taken by his quality. After racking up a hat-trick you’d think the handicapper might have his measure. Think on.

As winning margins of two lengths or under suggest, he only seems to do enough whether down to greenness or a tendency to idle, I don’t know. What it does mean is that after another summer at grass he’ll be capable of defying much higher marks.

If you watch his win at Uttoxeter you’ll have figured out that a stamina test is what he’ll be wanting this season; he has yet to race beyond 2m 4f – and very soft ground. Also expect him to stay over timber for now.

Probably the one downside is that he has been bought by ‘The Lads’, which means he’ll have a higher profile than you would like.

But he’s just lovely and is a must for any list.

REVOCATION (L Russell)

If I could add some caveats to the list then they would mostly stack up next to this grand chasing type, who I first took a liking to in November 2013.

This horse had more than a year off prior to a couple of spins last winter, and I don’t like backing horses that have had a major problem.

I don’t particularly care for the Russell yard either, not least because of the stable jockey. Personally, I think they should do better than strike at between 12-15 percent with chasers considering their firepower.

All that said I simply can’t overlook this lovely son of Revoque, who was highly tried on his belated return against long odds-on shot Wakanda over three miles at Newcastle in February.

However, after going with zest and measuring his fences well was allowed to run into the bottom of the 14^th and that was that.

The fact that his lesser fancied stablemate overturned the favourite was galling I can tell you!

Ten weeks later he was back for his only other try over fences, where again he went freely but was disorganised at several obstacles, largely due to the ineptitude of the rider.

But the two outings confirmed that if he is kept right, a potentially spectacular season is in store. Starting from a paltry 113, he has the potential to run up a sequence. Jockey permitting.

HONEYCHILE RYDER (D Sayer)

Fans of 007 will no doubt be aware of the name ‘Honey Ryder’, as depicted by Ursula Andress in Dr No way back in ’62. The name was shortened from the original in the novel. So there you go.

Coincidentally, this could be a plot of which the boy Fleming would be proud. In six outings ‘Honey’ has not managed to better an RPR of 56. And that’s over timber.

But if I’m right about this massive filly, she could go in at a colossal price somewhere down the line.

She’s a half-sister to six winners, all of whom stayed well, by Black Sam Bellamy. She’ll need 3m but at just four has never been faced with a stamina test. In truth she may need more time, but I suspect she is forward enough to land a gamble this term.

She’s very big, and very strong, and showed a scintilla (really? - Ed) of promise at Hexham in March that suggested to me she was worth keeping an eye on.

I was surprised the shrewd Sayer yard gave the filly an outing in the middle of summer when you’d have thought she would be on a break – perhaps it was just a spin to get the mark down.

If so, it worked as she is now rated 80, and with another couple of runs over too short a trip, that may come down further.

I could be completely wrong about Miss Ryder, but I wouldn’t be shaken or stirred if she delivered the goods at some point.

WHISKEY CHASER (D McCain)

Donald McCain is not a trainer I’m a fan of right now – backed by a couple of very wealthy owners many of his horses look over-trained and are over-bet.

Not so the syndicate-owned Whiskey Chaser. It is hardly surprising that the son of Flemensfirth has been brought along steadily by his handler, being an extremely strong, thick set horse.

As such, again it is of no surprise that he showed very little over timber, meaning he started life over the larger obstacles on a workable mark.

Looking likely to win his third race over fences before unshipping his young rider, the seven-year-old was a winner without a penalty when turning up at Carlisle in March where I sighted him for the first time.

He was a good bet that day (in hindsight) and was duly raised 12lb for his pains – not that such a measure should stop his progress this season.

He was sent off a much shorter price on his return to Cumbria five weeks later but I was worried the drying ground would be against him and so it proved, looking very one-paced behind a much-improved winner.

So don’t be fooled into thinking he has finished improving. Yet to race over 3m, he is quite an interesting project and if we get a wet winter he is the type to improve out of all recognition.

Carlisle - An Oscar winner

I don't think this is breaking news but Henry Oliver is a young trainer who seems to know his onions and he landed major touch with Tiger O'Toole on Carlisle's penultimate jumps card.

The 10-year-old grey hadn't been seen for a year, when trained by Evan Williams, but after the early prices were taken it was no surprise to see the horse looking big and well in the prelims.

It's surprising the layers haven't cottoned on to Oliver's talents - he produced Beatabout The Bush in the same ownership to win at rewarding odds at Wetherby earlier this year on its first run for the yard - and that was by no means the first time the stable had landed a punt.

It was a weak enough heat and I was more than happy to ride the gravy train. Bryden Boy is quite small and backward, and thus his strong finish suggests he could be quite nice given more time to mature.

Prince Of Pirates again showed little despite market support while Tmorrow's Legend once again hinted at ability and he will come into his own over fences, as will Treliver Manor, who doesn't pay any respect to timber but it is a nice looking individual.

Courtown Oscar had been noted in dispatches

We were already on reasonable terms with ourselves after finding the winner of the opener at 16/1 in Courtown Oscar. Punters seem to have lost faith in trainer P Kirby but although it's been a trying year for the lad, he has some nice young horses of which this is one.

Up markedly in trip and with J Reveley booked, this lovely big chasing type looked poised for a big run with question marks about the front three in the market. Old friend Purple Harry was opposable with another weak jockey booked, while I had also backed Isaacstown Lad who although looked well was rather a disappointment.

My Friend George looked in great heart and duly proved the danger and he was probably just beaten by one better handicapped. I was worried about the winner's finishing effort but needn't have been. He's a big baby and still has some growing up to do, but this was a nice effort.

A couple of uncompetitive races followed but I was quite taken by Gingili in what looked a match against Bobs Lord Tara. McCain's horse looked big and strong, really well well for this hurdles introduction.

I went with his speed against the stamina of the other one, with the inner course knowhere near as testing as the outer here. In the end it was a bit of a gimme as the favourite went lame at midway, although the winner looked very green and novicey and I'm not sure he would have won had the other stayed sound.

Tambour Major again caught the eye both in the paddock and in the race, and this lovely ex-pointer will surely get a nice mark for when he goes chasing next year. He's one to note.

Gingili certainly looked the part

I was looking forward to three nice handicap chases but didn't take anywhere nearly enough of an aggressive stance and disappointingly lost on the races.

I didn't like the way Trust Thomas looked at Wetherby but he run well there and similarly in defeat at Newcastle, and again did not take the eye here. He was very opposable and I was reluctant to row in with Vasco Dycy after he hit the post last time. So why I didn't back the progressive Bearly Legal I don't really know, he was a worthy favourite, a nice looking horse, and won as he liked.

Solway Dornal looked really fit for his return and he will surely pay his way again this summer for his clearly capable handler, but the others weren't worthy of a mention.

I seemed to have got married to the idea that Our Boy Ben is waiting to strike and he travelled like a horse way better than his mark, but again his finishing effort was tame and once again the cash was left behind. The family is not straightforward and perhaps he's one to have reservations about.

Whiskey Chaser was market leader but he's a very heavy set horse and this better ground was by no means certain to suit. He was worth opposing and it was surprising that he wasn't given a more positive ride given the circumstances. If we get some soft ground in the next month or so he can win again.

Resolute Performer had been noted on a couple of occasions and he has slowly come to himself this term, although it was still a stretch to see him involved today. Staying seemed to be his forte and at at six he can only continue to improve.

It was another weak affair though with the Irish Colms Dream by no means a chaser on looks - very small and lean - while Simon Templar is an out and out mudlark who is still to convince over fences.

The second division of the race saw the strongest looking horse come out on top in Abricot De L'Oasis. The McCain horse had been noted in running at Wetherby and he looked to have the best form in the race, with improvement very likely forthcoming over the larger obstacles.

There were quite a few imponderables amongst the others - Emkae looked well although is only just big enough for fences - he ran a bit in snatches but not without promise - while The Gunner Brady doesn't have an condition at all and could not be expected to take a step forward.

Be A Dreamer was surprisingly seen out again despite losing condition over the season, and confirmed the Smith horses to be over the top. Simmply Sam is another who may struggle over fences while Solway Legend was also very fit from his break and this was a big step forward over fences.

The bumper was a very competitive with the three with form setting a decent standard for the newcomers, several of which were quietly fancied. The easiest on the eye was the Jefferson-trained High Hopper, a lovely three mile chaser in the making if ever there was one.

Haydock - Wednesday Dec 6

Across the old 62 we went for a six race card with only a clutch of runners in each, but it was competitive enough and not without fun.

Most horses are rocking up fit at this stage of the season and paddock views are largely a case of what takes the eye in terms of structure and well-being.

Thomas Patrick was probably the nicest on show in the opening handicap hurdle but he went down in a head-bob to Pop Rockstar, whose form probably entitled him to win, for all that physically he is more a work in progress.

The following novices chase was a real headbanger and I ended up staying right out of it, although the couple I didn't really want to be with happened to bomb out.

Rolling Dylan was one as he didn't look very big against some of these and the 5lb penalty appeared to make things difficult, not that it mattered in the end as he was done for turning into the straight.

Buster Thomas is a nice strong sort physically but he's pretty backward and again he pulled too hard, exhausted when coming down at the last. Once he settles, he'll want a good distance of ground.

Eamon Na Cnoic was part of my betting plan on the last day at Wetherby but he jumped stickily prior to a heavy fall five out that day. Sent off an unconsidered rag here, he was smooth over his fences and this expensive purchase has the size and scope to be quite decent and this was his second course win.

Sainte Ladylime is strong but not that tall and clearly finds jumping difficult, not so Ballydine who looked as straight as he could be for his first run back off a 600+day absence.

He's a real stayer though, and just plugged on over this trip after getting outpaced on the turn in. He's a strong chaser who jumped cleanly, and given a decent break he's one Longsdon inmate to have on your side this winter, while he also goes on better ground so the Festivals may not be out of the question.

Niblawi and Shivermetimbers shared favouritism in a small field novice hurdle and you wouldn't find two more different animals, the former a small, stocky ex-Flat horse against a huge great chasing type who must go through the motions of a season or two over timber.

Neither made great appeal in the circumstances, although I foolishly didn't fully consider the third 'runner' Joke Dancer, who I've noted favourably here on his two previous starts.

A nicer horse you couldn't wish for but he'd been quite fractious and green before his races, and keen going in the race.

He's getting better each time though and was settled nicely off a slow pace before Cook rushed him through to lead two out before powering clear. I thought the flat horse's pace would do for him but Niblawi didn't really show a great deal to warrant following again.

The handicap chase was the key race of the day as Just Georgie was a well-backed jolly to break his maiden tag under rules, but it looked a bit 'too obvious' and essentially 2/1 was short enough in a race where some of them looked well handicapped.

One such was Morney Wing, who wants further but got an easy sit on the lead and backers would have found his finishing effort a shade disappointing.

Whiskey Chaser was promising two seasons back but was hit-and-miss last term and clearly isn't one that is easy to catch right. Despite dismal reappearance efforts for the past three years he looked pretty straight, but then there was nothing wrong with him when I piled in at Sedge two years ago when he was beaten a distance.

But he was on his game today and stayed on strongly to deny the willing Back To The Thatch, who is quite well made and should do better in time, once his scratchy fencing improves.

Just Georgie had just moved into contention but inexplicably put down on Cook at the last ditch and that was the end of that. He's proving costly to follow but surely would have gone close and may just be worth another chance if the odds allow.

Purple Harry is a big sturdy white horse who always looks on good terms with himself, but he's a dour stayer and looked in need of this outing. It only took him one run to hit top form in the spring and if they have a clear run this winter he should win again from this mark.

Ravensdale was all the rage ahead of another novices hurdle and he again filled the eye as he had at Southwell the last day, only stripping a good deal fitter this time.

He's a well made, professional looking animal who is just the type to continue progressing as the season goes on, and as he is stepped up in trip.

It was perhaps a little disappointing that his lead was being eroded close home by the staying on Duke Debarry, but the feeling was that the winner was only doing as much as he had to.

The runner-up may not be all that straight forward, but he'll enjoy a return to further and this at least proved he goes on soft ground.

Spider's Bite caught all the eyes at Aintree last time but that form may not be all that and he most certainly is not straight forward. Tall and light framed at this stage, he's a keen sort and typically for a Scorpion he has a lot going on upstairs. He's one to be a little wary of.

Graystown is only modest looking, at least amongst these more expensive types, but he put in another solid shift and connections will be hoping the handicapper cuts him some slack.

The finale looked wide open and Clan Legend looked vulnerable at the top of the market, up 9lb for beating a very weak field at Hexham, while the extra yardage wasn't necessarily going to suit.

You can't afford to be in the least bit keen on this ground and the way he went suggests he'll remain better over shorter, and this mark could stretch him in this grade.

One For Harry is a solid benchmark and once he got on the lead he was always going to be hard to beat. A touch of class at this level goes a long way and he ground out the W, as is his wont.

Its'Afreebee might have been an interesting poke at long odds but he was surprisingly well backed and looks to have completely gone at the game for the time being.

I quite liked Quids In and this well made youngster looked sure to run his race. This probably just stretched him but the form has a solid look and he can surely pick up something similar.

Five To Follow - update

Potentially a quiet week in the north although hopefully we'll get some action at Catterick on Thursday and maybe even Friday at Sedgefield. If they've managed to put the course back after the Somme-like conditions of Boxing Day then fair play to them.

We had a bit of fun back in September putting together a list of five horses that might be worth following this season. The huge caveat that went with it was that by Christmas at least one was sure to have disappeared without trace. At least I got that bit right!

Anyway, with nothing much happening let's have brief look at how the famous five have performed so far.

FRIENDLY ROYAL

The star performer. Two wins (4/1 & a well-backed 9/4) and two close seconds from five starts means we have made a decent profit on the Sue Smith novice chaser. Here's what I wrote;

He’s chucked in off a mark of 100 and I expect him to be rated at least 20lbs higher by the spring having picked up at least a couple of chase wins along the way.

The seven-year-old has excelled expectations, having already improved 23lbs to a perch of 123. He's had some hard races but there could be another win from him yet. I expected him to revel in a stamina test and yet he's yet to be tried beyond 2m 6f.

Despite his rise in the rankings, he ought to be worth a second look if they opt to send him over 3m next time out.

BEG TO DIFFER

A frustrating start to the season but all may not be lost. He wasn't straight when running with promise behind Feltham runner-up Southfield Royale but I expected much more when he finished only third next behind Aubusson at Uttoxeter.

His finishing effort was again disappointing but perhaps he still needed the run. I did my dough that day but didn't back him next time when he recorded a much better effort in line with his useful hurdles form.

Despite making several minor errors he got round Cheltenham and proved that staying is his game, getting the 3m 2f trip as good as anything behind the progressive winner Perfect Candidate.

I must say I thought they would remain over hurdles with him this season as he has just turned six after all. However, he's a strong horse who seems to jump well in the main.

I'd love to see them reach for cheekpieces. He showed rather lazy tendencies over timber which meant that I felt he hadn't shown his hand to the handicapper. I still think he's potentially much better than his current rating of 133 implies, which is just 5lb above his last winning mark over hurdles.

This horse relishes heavy going and he may yet deliver in a decent handicap over the coming months.

REVOCATION

This horse was off for 18 months prior to couple of spins over fences last season. It therefore reflects poorly on this author that the beast ended up in the list. I must have said it a dozen times since starting the blog - don't back horses that have been seriously crocked!

I don't know if there's a more reputable site out there that has run the numbers on horses coming back off a lengthy injury absence, but I suggest that, while some do recapture former glories, fewer than 10 percent return to the winners circle.

There was a horse from the same Lucinda Russell yard that ran the other day called Mysteree. He too is young enough to put an injury behind him, and he looked as good as ever when winning a two-runner affair at Wetherby.

However, from a betting perspective, I'm very wary of horses like this, and while I gave Mysteree every chance of winning the other day, his somewhat tame finish could mean that he is still feeling or remembering something.

I'm no expert in the field of equine injuries. But purely from a punting angle, it's a costly exercise to assume a horse retains all his former ability post-injury. They may travel like they used to, but under the gun, are they willing or able to let themselves down?

As for Revocation, I hope he still has the chance to prove me wrong, although his absence from the track since May suggests he has another problem.

HONEYCHILE RYDER

Another yet to be sited this season but I'm hoping upon hope that the shrewd Dianne Sayer outfit have a plan for this big mare in the coming months.

She's shown virtually nothing on the track and has a mark of 80 to reflect that. I just think she's hiding her light under a large bushel. We'll see.

WHISKEY CHASER

Donald McCain will be hoping 2016 will be as good as 2015 was bad. I was hoping that this staying chase prospect might fly the flag at a low level for the beleaguered trainer but perhaps not.

A solitary outing over an inadequate trip at an unsuitable track was never likely to play to the horse's strengths but the way he stopped just as the race began in earnest suggested something had gone amiss.

That was over a month ago, and I haven't seen an entry for him since. I hope they found something that was ailing him at Sedgefield and that it is only a minor setback. He still has time to regain his upward curve.

Musselburgh

The first of a two-dayer in the far north was initially greeted with downpours that eventually subsided, unfortunately leaving the ground a good deal softer than was advertised at declaration time.

That rain definitely brought my old friend Whiskey Chaser into the mix in an ordinary opener over just short of three miles.

His opening run of the season was mystifying as he stopped very quickly, and a subsequent absence suggested he had picked up a minor problem there.

Much had to be taken on trust but he looked in good order and the rain suited - if anything there wasn't enough of it.

In the event (and I didn't back him after a worrying late drift in the market - note to self; grow some balls) I was a tad surprised he didn't get home under a positive ride. However, despite being upped in trip the track wouldn't have suited and he was just done for a bit of toe in the end.

I see him as a one-paced slugger, and with this better effort under his belt I'm sure he will reward us providing he gets some deep ground.

Proud Gamble had taken a step in the right direction last time and although I backed him then I didn't really see him coming on from that. Wrong. He looked well and could be the type to keep improving from his lowly mark...physically he has some strengthening to do.

The others in the race ran predictably although Vision De La Vie clearly has two ways of going and is not one to trust, while Oil Burner has not delivered on earlier promise and looks to have regressed.

I had been very keen to take on Impulsive American in the novice hurdle but with two possible challengers scratched on account of the ground we weren't left with much on our side.

I had gone with Some Are Lucky to live up to his Cheltenham bumper promise but I saw him as a good ground horse and I wasn't that keen on the way he moved in the paddock - very much one that should relish sounder terrain.

Despite that the money came in for Tom George's horse and it looked for one minute as though we would collect, but the Pipe dodger was delivered at the right time to win his race. What the form is worth, we don't know.

The rest looked a bunch of backward chase types although Rolling Thunder showed more this time having settled better in front. He'll want time.

The handicap chase over 2m 3.5f was a conundrum. I wasn't overly keen on anything and although Oscar Lateen looked the obvious choice he had not come up with the goods on several occasions before and he looked short enough on balance.

Finea was none the worse for his efforts the previous day at Ayr, where he had blundered away his chance, and was the wildcard here as the rest looked pretty exposed. I didn't like Bollin Line on the ground but it was too far out to tell what would have happened had he not fallen, bringing down Lawless Island.

Perhaps Bollin Line has turned a corner as he was cruising when knuckling on landing three out. It's just as hard to know what to make of the race afterwards as it was before!

I took the view, as I've mentioned here before, that the one running under a penalty in the handicap hurdle - No Ceiling - was to be taken on.

Without a penalty perhaps, but the Donny race he won was poor and this often strong puller had an extra half mile to travel. I should have laid it and closed the book but opted to take it on with Definitely Better, who looked in great order, and Imperial Prince.

I know the latter is held in decent regard and he's a good staying prospect, but didn't think he would have the pace round here. However, there was money around at big odds and I would have been gutted had he gone in without being supported.

In the end it was a strange race with it changing complexion dramatically after the last. I must say I put down the glasses when the selection winged the last, only to pretty much drop the lot on the run, to be passed by three and thus doing the each-way dough.

Sure enough No Ceiling didn't get home, while the original second in Crinkle Crags is simply no good and fully justified that tag again. So a potentially huge race yielded very little in terms of profit. But keep an eye on the third - he'll win races.

Teo Vivo was rewarded for his consistency when winning the next under an uncomplicated ride, able to track the bunny Jonny Delta before pouncing at the last. This was by no means competitive though and the grey is sure to struggle off another career high mark next time.

El Beau looked likely to come on for the run and was unsettled by an early blunder. Good ground is key and with the cobwebs blown away ought to be followed next time.

No views on the hunter chase other than the well-backed Wind Of Hope looked a little small for the job. The fact he fell here at one of the easier jumps tracks doesn't bode well.

Nothing stood out in the bumper. Boyhood is a nice, well made sort if on the backward side, and he did little wrong in winning. I suspect they came here for better ground with the scopey Up North and although well-backed he probably resented the terrain. Lucinda Russell remains quiet and her Selkirk's Island never looked like giving her a farewell winner at the track's final jumps meeting of the season.

And so the bandwagon rolls into Kelso tomorrow.

Catterick

The return of NH action at the Bridge usually heralds great feelings of joy, but this was not a card to enthuse over and what a ghastly sight it was for value seekers as six of the seven jollys went in unchallenged, with the other withdrawn at the start.

The conditionals' hurdle was split and they looked anything-but competitive affairs, the market leaders looking to be ones to concentrate on.

The conclusion drawn prior to the opener was that Thyne For Gold should be just about good enough given his consistent form, particularly in light of a remarkable doubling in the price of southern raider Normandy King, who proceeded to run deplorably.

Cloud Monkey and Leading Score filled the places but neither is one to go overboard about, and the winner did not need to improve to land this.

Division two had a similar shape to it with old rivals from the flat Italian Riviera and Cape Hideaway expected to be involved in the finish - which they surely would have been had the latter not slipped on landing over two out when challenging.

It was left to another huge market drifter All For The Best to chase the winner home, but again he's not one to be especially interested in being a close-coupled, compact animal.

There wasn't anything to recommend amongst the also-rans regarding future investment.

The juvenile hurdle wasn't a great one, Skelton's Does It In Style failing to live up his name my coming down on the bend after looking the one with most about him physically beforehand.

Eventual winner Fidux is quite small and light framed and didn't achieve a great deal here, although in fairness a better gallop would have suited, while the luckless Walford yard yet again missed out when their Aislabie unshipped J Greenall two out, when poised to deliver a challenge.

The form is held down by 54-rated flat horse Allfredandnobell, who did at least advertise the well-being of the Hammond yard.

Nortonthorpelegend was rightly made a warm order to supplement last week's Sedgefield win, with conditions in his favour, in the handicap chase. He wasn't opposed lightly, although there was plenty of each-way value to be had if you got it right.

I favoured Valleyofmilan but he ran very flat, making errors, and was yet another McCain chaser to run below par - the trainer is winless in three months over fences.

Bonzo Bing finally delivered on earlier promise having dropped miles in the weights, connections finally twigging that he wants a trip.

This was a bit of an odd race though with very little incident, Ueueteotl and the pint sized Iora Glas merely plodding on, and it's not really a race to take much from.

The withdrawal of Tara View down at the start made the next a non-event - the King mare would surely have beaten Miss Maiden Over, who looked ponderous at several obstacles.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the sight of King's French import Laissez Dire prior to the novices chase. Billed as a two horse race, it wasn't even that as money buyers stationed around the paddock would have been in clover having spied the gorgeous four-year-old, who would have won without the allowance.

Work In Progress doesn't look the easiest of conveyances and although he was up against it here he's one I'd prefer to take on in the medium term. As for the winner, it'll be exciting to see him progress this term as he's very forward and value for the allowance.

Jovial Joey and Miami Present skipped round in their own time, but both fenced with aplomb in the main and will be of interest, especially the latter who should come on for the run and wasn't knocked about.

I wanted to be onside with Jefferson's Helmsley Lad in the closing bumper, but he still looks like he has plenty of growing up to do. It looks like he'll want a trip, as he was readily brushed aside by Skelton's heavily backed Getaway Whiskey, a laid back sort who was altogether more professional and had too much speed in a weak affair.