09/12/16 Straight From The Trainers Mouth

More To Be Added Tomorrow

Richard Johnson

12.20 Cheltenham Label Des Obeaux 4/1

If I’m honest, I don’t know too much about him having never sat on him before, but he made an encouraging start to life over fences at Exeter last month. He finished second to Harry Fry’s American that day and I finished just behind the front two on one of ours (Vieux Lille). I’d say he would have to improve a little to take a hand in this, but he’s bound to have come on for that first run.

★★★☆☆

12.55 Cheltenham Queen Spud 5/2

She has won both of her last two starts at Fakenham, but this will require another big step up. That said, she really is in great heart and I’m looking forward to getting back on her.

★★★☆☆

1.30 Cheltenham Sausalito Sunrise 11/2

Sausalito Sunrise delighted me with his reappearance run here last month and he must have a decent chance even with top weight in the handicap chase (1.30pm). He jumped and travelled really well that day and just got a bit tired at the second last. He’s a great big horse and that run would have put him spot on for this

★★★★☆

2.40 Cheltenham Valhalla 7/1

He’s ultra-consistent and has run well here at both the October and November meetings, finishing second and fourth respectively.

I’m hopeful he’ll run his usual tough race, particularly now the handicapper has dropped him a pound. However, he may just bump into a better-handicapped opponent.

★★★☆☆

3.15 Cheltenham Allee Bleue 14/1

I have to admit we never expected him to hit the heights he did last season when winning three races. He disappointed on his final start last term at Aintree, but I’m prepared to forgive him that as it came at the end of a long, hard season. This will require more again, but I’m hoping he can keep on surprising us.

★★★☆☆

3.45 Cheltenham Gaitway 12/1

He’s been off for the best part of two years now, so has obviously had his fair share of problems. That said, he’s got some cracking form in the book, including when beating future Grade One-winner Tea For Two on his debut at Newbury. If he can pick up where he left off I’m sure he can be competitive, but that’s a big ask after so long on the sidelines.

★★★☆☆

Paul Nicholls

12.20 Cheltenham Arpege Dalene 6/1

Only just beaten in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in the spring and progressing nicely over fences. He won well last time at Aintree in a bit of a strange race as they missed out all the fences in the straight. This looks more competitive but he's fit and well at home and again wears blinkers to help sharpen up his jumping as he can be a shade slow and careful at his fences.

★★★★☆

1.30 Cheltenham Southfield Theatre 4/1

I was annoyed to find he was put up 7lbs by the handicapper after falling at the last fence at Wincanton last time when upsides the winner. He was lazy at times through the race, coming off and on the bridle, and missed a couple of fences because he is not the slickest jumper. Southfield Theatre struggles as it is having done well to come back last season from a serious injury and I'd now argue that he is handicapped right to the limit of his ability.

I honestly don't think he can win off his new mark here but he's fit, fresh and well, enjoys good ground and obviously I'd love him to prove me wrong.

★★★☆☆

2.40 Cheltenham The Eaglehaslanded 10/1

Is fit and ready for a run now, will improve for it and will be going chasing after this. I can't be confident as he is a stone higher than for his last win in the spring and looks to have a tough task at the weights.

3.45 Cheltenham Brio Conti 15/2

Only beaten narrowly last time at Haydock. He jumps well, likes good ground but can be a bit keen so I am hoping for a strongly run race which will help him settle better. While Brio Conti is a horse I like he is taking on some smart novices here.

★★★☆☆

Alan King

1.05 Doncaster Winner Massagot 4/1

He needs another run to blow away the cobwebs as he was a bit ring-rusty at Newbury recently.

★★★☆☆

1.15 Bangor Willoughby Hedge 6/1

He fractured his pelvis in the build up to Cheltenham last season but is back in very good form and ready to start, though obviously he’ll improve on whatever he does here.

★★★☆☆

1.40 Doncaster Big Chief Benny 3/1

He was disappointing at Market Rasen and I wasn’t sure whether it was the softish ground or whether I had left him a bit short. However, he has worked well since and he ought to get drier ground at Doncaster, where he has won before.

★★★★☆

2.50 Doncaster Midnight Cowboy 8/1

He has been admirably consistent but we need to get his head in front and, having been forced to miss Wincanton when it was abandoned last week, it will be good to get him rolling again.

★★★☆☆

3.35 Bangor Kayf Mariner 4/1

He is a lovely Kayf Tara who has a good attitude and has thrived for being able to do a few bits of work on the grass recently. We like him and had planned to start him off last week, but he had a rash so had to be pulled out, but all seems well again now and we are looking forward to it.

★★★★☆

3.45 Cheltenham Midnight Maestro 5/1

He won well at Warwick, having looked as if he might get squeezed out at the last, and he’ll come on for that first run.

★★★★☆

David Pipe

12.10 Bangor Starchitect 7/2

Tom Scudamore is going to have a busy day - he rides in the first at Bangor before flying to Cheltenham to ride.  Tom rides Starchitect (pictured above) for David at Bangor on his first start over fences - he was a 150 rated hurdler and was one of the best handicappers around last season.  He was the best of these over timber, has schooled well at home and is expected to go very well.

★★★★★ (maybe a bit excited on my part)

1.30 Cheltenham Ballynagour 25/1

Tom then goes to Cheltenham to ride Ballynagour in the 1.30pm, a 3m2f handicap chase.  The Post make him a 20/1- he ran a couple of good races over the summer, including when second over this trip at Uttoxeter although he would probably prefer the ground a little softer.

★★★☆☆

2.40 Cheltenham Herbert Park 10/1

om also rides Herbert Park in the 2.40pm which is a three mile handicap hurdle - he was beaten just a neck at Ffos Las last time out and is by no means handicapped out of this from a 3lbs higher mark.  He is a 7/1 chance in the Post and has sound claims.

★★★★☆