18/11/16 Straight From The Trainers Mouth

Malcom Jefferson

1.25 Haydock Cloudy Dream 4/6

A winner last time he manages to escape any penalties and gets weight off all the other runners. He should like the track and handled soft ground last year. They may get more rain but it is likely he will take his chance as it is on fresh ground and the first chase of the meeting. Hopefully we will get a nice gallop  and we learn a bit more about him.

★★★★★

Paul Nicholls

12.40 Ffos Las Cash Again 3/1

Ran slightly below expectations in finishing fourth on his first attempt over hurdles at Uttoxeter last month but to be fair he didn't jump as well as he can, the ground was quick enough for him and he returned with slightly sore shins. He is fine now and on his bumper form he should have a future. Conditions should be much more in his favour at Ffos Las.

★★★★☆

12.50 Haydock Capitaine 10/11

A lovely young prospect who has been the apple of my eye since arriving from France and won, as he should have done, on his debut over hurdles recently in a low key race at Wincanton.This is a step up in class for Capitaine who has only ever run on good ground so I don't know if he goes in the soft though he works well enough on it at home.

★★★★★

1.00 Ascot Secret Investor 5/2

A beautiful young horse who joined us after winning his only Irish point-to-point where he jumped well. He is a fine, big chasing sort who will need plenty of time before he fully strengthens up. While he is ready to go now that the rain has arrived he will improve for the run. The experience will not be lost on him.

★★★★☆

1.35 Ascot Qualando 5/1

Has always shaped at home as though he would make a chaser but was still talented enough to win the Fred Winter four-year-old Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2015. I felt he ran a blinding race in finishing third on his debut over fences at Cheltenham almost a month ago on ground a bit too quick for him. The more rain the better for Qualando, at a track that will suit him

★★★★☆

1.45 Ffos Las Hawkhurst 13/8

A strong stayer who has been a bit frustrating as he really should have won over hurdles by now but he hasn't enjoyed the best of luck on a couple of occasions. He rather ran in snatches on his return a month ago but looks to have a decent chance of getting off the mark here in a first time hood.

★★★★★

2.35 Haydock Politologue 11/4

A big scopey chasing type who jumps very well at home and will love the ground. He did come in later than most of my team and while I've done plenty with him I suspect he will improve for the run.

★★★☆☆

2.45 Ascot Present Man 11/4

On a retrieving mission here after falling early in the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton 13 days ago where he was a bit novicey, didn't get much daylight at the first two fences and paid the penalty. He has schooled and worked well since and this trip in a smaller field will suit him fine though he wouldn't want it too soft.

★★★☆☆

3.10 Haydock Brio Conti 3/1

Overjumped and fell on his debut over hurdles at Kelso last month which was far from ideal but he was fine afterwards. He's schooled well at home since that mishap, is fitter now and will get the trip but soft ground is an unknown for him.

★★★★☆

3.45 Haydock Gibbes Bay 10/3

A lovely, big strong horse who stays and gallops and won like a smart prospect on his only start in a bumper at Ayr at the end of last season. That form has already been franked by the runner up and this will be his last run in a bumper before he goes hurdling. Soft ground is an unknown for him, too.

★★★★☆

3.55 Ascot Cyrname 3/1

A big, imposing type who really caught the eye by the way he tanked through the race when bolting up at Pau on his third start in France. We've been trying to teach him to settle in his homework as at first he was much too keen for his own good in the mornings. Wearing a hood certainly seems to have helped him relax better so he's wearing one here. I do like Cyrname, who needs to learn the English style of racing.

★★★★☆

David Pipe

2.55 Ffos Las Mango Cap 4/1

He won at Perth over three miles on his penultimate start and is only 4lbs higher today, less conditional jockey David Noonan's 3lbs claim - he also looks to have a sound chance.

★★★★☆

3.20 Ascot Alternatif 11/2

He has finished fourth on his last couple of starts and is back below his last winning mark, the ground will suit and he appears to hold leading claims under stable jockey Tom Scudamore.

★★★★☆

Alan King

1.00 Ascot Reality Bites 3/1

Reality Bites also goes there for the maiden hurdle, and he’s an Irish point-to-point winner who was taken out of Lingfield because the ground was too quick. He did well through the summer and has been pleasing me on the gallops.

★★★☆☆

1.10 Ffos Las A Bold Move 7/2

We also send A Bold Move to Ffos Las today for the maiden hurdle. He has very good point-to-point form and this is his first run for us, but he is ready to start and, being owned by Dai Walters, this is the right track to get him rolling

★★★☆☆

2.10 Ascot Criq Rock 3/1

Criq Rock runs in today’s introductory hurdle at Ascot. It was a satisfactory first run back at Chepstow as they went steady and he got done for a bit of toe, but he worked nicely last week-end and, granted a stronger run race, he should be competitive.

★★★★☆

Ben Haslam

4.45 Newcastle Eponina 16/1

The very elegant Eponina will be having her second start in a 7 furlong maiden, having run an absolute cracker first time out. A big gangly filly, she ran very well for a long way before fading in the closing stages to come a close 6th, but she is really starting to fill out now so will hopefully be able to sustain her effort a little longer. Regardless of tomorrow’ result, she is a girl for next year and will be put away to strengthen up after the race.

★★★☆☆

6.15 Newcastle Epeius 4/1

Gorgeous George (Epeius) is also off to strut his stuff in the 6 furlong maiden, having also run a belter at the track to come 3rd last time, not beaten far despite nearly being bowled over by a rival! He is in absolutely cracking form at home, and really deserves to win a race so fingers crossed tomorrow is the day! Both horses run in the colours of the brilliant Trojan Horse Partnership, so hopefully we will be giving them something to cheer about!

★★★★☆