26/10/16 Straight From The Trainers Mouth

J F Levins

We're on 16 winners for the year so far which represents a record year for the stable but anybody thinking we'll end the night on 22 winners is living in cloud cookoo land. Don't be fooled by your bookmaker!

5.30 Dundalk Palavicini Run 5/6

Palavicini Run (D O Connor) ran a disappointing race at the Curragh last time out. We've dropped her in both trip and grade and she's weighted to run a big race this evening. My only concern is we are not 100% sure she'll act on the surface.

★★★★☆

6.30 Dundalk Deeds Not Words 5/2

Deeds Not Words (D O'Connor) has done nothing but disappoint this year. He's off an ordinary mark in an ordinary race and I gave up fancying him with any confidence 4 runs back.

★☆☆☆☆

7.00 Dundalk Bective 5/1

Bective (R Whelan) I thought ran quite well the last day and better than his finishing position suggested. 7 furlongs on soft ground wouldn't have been ideal but it was a valuable race and we had to take a shot. Dropping back to 6 furlongs in a maiden the intention is to ride him handy with a pair of blinkers on him in the hope this brings out more improvement.

★★★☆☆

8.00 Dundalk Rateel 5/2

Rateel (R Whelan) is a horse I love as he's very genuine. Unfortunately I gave him a break around Galway time and he still hasn't come back into the groove and his work at the moment is moderate. He's better than that, and his time will come, but I'd be surprised if it was today.

★★☆☆☆

8.30 Dundalk Sixtyfiveroses 6/4

Sixtyfiveroses (D O'Connor) is a horse we all know the story behind. I was absolutely thrilled the last day at Navan. It's a mile and a half today and Donagh will take his time and try to get there late. My opinion would be she's more than likely to come up short today but she has her chance.

★★★☆☆

9.00 Dundalk Havelock Ellis SP

Havelock Ellis (D O'Connor) ran a nice race the last day showing signs of his old form but needs to back that run up today. Depending on what mood the old boy is in will determine what half of the field he finishes in.

★★★☆☆

Julia Feilden

3.20 Nottingham Duke Of Diamonds 12/1

steps down to 1m6f after running over a marathon trip at Pontefract last time. He ran well there to finish 4th and he has come out of it in good heart so I hope there is still a bit more improvement to come from him.

★★★☆☆

8.45 Kempton Star Of The Stage 14/1

His last run can be ignored as he fluffed the start so I would expect a much better showing as long as he can ping the gates and get to the front as he likes to.

★★★☆☆

David Pipe

2.10 Fakenham Eamon An Cnoic 7/2

 Eamon An Cnoic has some decent placed form to his name and looks to hold solid claims

★★★★☆

4.10 Fakenham Carqalin 12/5

Carqalin has been allotted top weight of 11-12 - he is an 11/4 chance in the Post and that looks plenty short enough for me on the balance of form

★★★★☆

Nigel Twiston-Davies

4.40 Fakenham-  Northandsouth 5/2

was a winner over hurdles twice back in March and May both over 2m and finished last of five on his chasing debut at Perth over the same trip just over a month ago. The step up to 2m 5f is a plus here and with a first chase behind him can show enough improvement to take a big hand in this. A good run expected Ryan Hatch aboard.

★★★★☆

4.50 Nottingham -  Unblinking 40/1

has joined us from France where he had just the one run over 1m 4f for Andre Fabre finishing a close up 6th of 7. Looks to be a good long term prospect but may have enough to make his presence felt here. Thomas Brown rides. Latest winner Wholestone (2/1), Cheltenham, 22nd October

★★★☆☆

Mark Usher

3.50 Nottingham Marshall Aid 18/1

The key is that he is able to translate his progressive form on the polytrack and tapeta onto good ground turf and if he does this he should both run well and have an each way chance at around 14/1 or bigger. Two other factors that will help is that Jimmy Quinn is a spiffing jockey to have on your side with low weights in the saddle, no-one is stronger in these circumstance and you can guarantee that he will get the maximum assistance up the straight; and that all the indications are that Marshall Aid positively loved jumped hurdles and horses that school well often improve to an extent when they run again on the flat. The Yard are particularly looking forward to seeing him run this afternoon.

★★★★☆

4.30 Chelmsford City Arlecchinos Rock 7/1

Runs at Chelmsford for the first time; an athletic and slightly frustrating horse in some ways for the Yard he has more ability than he has shown on the racecourse and he should have won before now. He didn’t particularly act at Brighton earlier in the month but has been dropped a further two pounds and with Lulu, who has ridden him at home, competently taking off her seven pound claim he is now well, well handicapped.

★★★★☆

8.15 Kempton Marmajuke Bay 6/1

Runs for probably the final time this year in what has been a really successful season for him. It is difficult to precisely pinpoint why he didn’t run quite as well on his second visit to Salisbury at the beginning of the month but, back to his own age group and reunited with Steve Drowne, the Yard are looking for him to put this behind him. As always at this time of the year it is not particularly easy to be certain that he hasn’t gone over the top but there are no indications of this at home; the Yard are of the belief that he will make up into a quality staying four year old next year.

★★★☆☆