Saturday 25th August 2018

Competition ran a very good race for his owners at Fontwell on Thursday. He was beaten just ¾ of a length by West Drive who was an 87 rated flat horse. Competition gave the winner a full stone in weight. The 3^rd placed horse was 22 lengths behind, I’m confident in saying this form will look well above average in time.

I have some news on a new trainer we’re adding to our ranks. In the past month I’ve been working on launching a Northern jumping syndicate. Once we secure a suitable horse, it will run at the Northern & Scottish racecourses through the Winter jumps season.

I’m pleased to announce Donald McCain will be the trainer. Donald needs little introduction, a Grand National winning trainer and numerous Cheltenham Festival winners. Donald is based at the stunning Bankhouse stables in Cheshire. Every facility you can think of is available. Brian Hughes has recently been named as the stable jockey. Brian is one of the top jockeys in the country and has ridden a good few winners for us including Audacious Plan in the Durham National.

Everything fits and now is the perfect timing to take advantage of the slightly easier racing in the North through the Winter months. If you would like to register you interest in the new syndicate, please get in touch.

Final day of the York Ebor meeting, I’ll start with the Ebor.

Its likely Tony Bloom and friends will be at York. He doesn’t have many horses but what he does have is top class horses. He’ll have lumped on Stratum, connections only target big races and Willie Mullins is pretty good at that. Stratum must go well but odds of 3-1 in a 20-runner race isn’t very appealing.

Blakeney Point 9-1 EW & Platitude 20-1 EW are my two against the field. Quite a few bookies are paying 6 places, ensure you bet with those.

Expert Eye in the Group 3 York Stakes at 3:00 should take the beating. This is a sight drop in class and drop-in trip. His form in Group 1 races is the best on offer by a fair margin. Expert Eye has never run at York so that’s probably the main worry if it is a worry. On paper Suedois is the only danger. Expert Eye is priced at 5-4, short odds but hopefully he can get the job done.

Over at Newmarket in the 1:40, Royal Marine has apparently been working with previous winners on the gallops and going well. The horse holds plenty of big race entries. Like any newcomer he could be green as grass. Put him in the notebook win or lose.