Darran

I really can't wait for this race as there are a few fascinating contenders and it is certain to have Cheltenham ramifications. Needless to say I am hoping for a big run from Highway Jewel having put her up at 66/1 for Cheltenham. Maybe I was being greedy, but I was hoping she might be an e/w price although I guess if you beat Hazel Hill by 25L and he goes and wins since then I guess the bookies had to price her up at around 5/2. I obviously will have her onside, but I don't think she is massive value. First of all she only needs to finish in the first 4 to qualify for Cheltenham which is surely the main priority and there is also set to be a fair bit of pace on here. The Worlds End, Marcle Ridge, Back Bar, Vinnie Lewis could all be contenders to make the running as well especially Marcle Ridge. She has the potential to be the most exciting horse in the race and the performance in beating Hazel Hill really was something to watch. If she can produce that in her first run under rules she should at the very least qualify for Cheltenham and it might well be good enough to win as well.
The Worlds End looks a horse to take on. There is clearly a reason why they are going down the hunter chase route and although he ran OK in the Long Walk connections obviously think he isn't handicapped to win a handicap and not good enough to win a graded race. He has only had 5 races over fences although one of his 2 wins was in a 4 runner race at Cheltenham. What you have to consider though if you want to back him is that he needs to finish in the 1st 4 here and then again in another hunter chase before the end of the month. If he turns out to be classy enough to win this with ease then he will be a big player at Cheltenham, but surely connections are going to have it in the back of their minds that he needs two quick runs and 4th will be good enough. They won't want to bottom him here and like I say this race is going to be run at a good pace.
Marcle Ridge was a very good 6th at Cheltenham last year having set a strong pace. He returned with a good win at Barbury in December and although the hot favourite Jatiluwih failed to run his race it was still an impressive performance. What concerns me about his chances though is the testing ground which I don't think he wants. He also has to give a decent amount of weight away to Highway Jewel as well as the potential battle for the lead. I'm also not sure he is the strongest stayer although given the tongue-tie has gone on for the first time maybe that will help him see out the trip better. The opening 12/1 with Bet365 was a stupid price, but he is around the right price now for me.
Back Bar seems on the short side in the betting for me. He did it well in a Ladies Open at Wadebridge on his seasonal return although it wasn't the strongest race in the world. He did beat Latenightpass at Horseheath a year ago though which was a good effort. Even so I find it hard to see him being good enough to take this as he has some improvement to find based on what the others have done.
Vinnie Lewis is interesting given we know he stays well and handles testing ground. He had looked to be going the wrong way last season, but for new connections he bolted up at Alnwick in December. Granted his jockey rode him out all the way to the line, but he managed to clock a slightly faster time than Red Indian, who is prominent in the Foxhunter market, when carrying 16lbs more. His jockey that day is pretty inexperienced so the fact Adam Wedge is on him is a big plus. I'm guessing they want to qualify him for Cheltenham, but I think they would want to take a race like this on the way and he can go well.
I don't fancy Monbeg Gold whose jumping has been a hinderance especially in his two hunter chase runs last season. This is stronger than either of those two contests as well.
Latenightpass has won his only hunter chase start at Cheltenham when he took the Intermediate Final on hunter chase night in 2019. I think connections want to run him in the Foxhunter, but first time out I find it hard to see him being good enough for this. He's also already qualified for Cheltenham so this could be a prep run more than anything.
The only other horse that is worth mentioning is Ange Des Malberaux. Obviously his unseat was painful last time at Ludlow and clearly on bare form he does need to find a bit. However as I pointed out the jockey change was clearly working big time. We know he stays, we know the ground wont be an issue and if the pace does collapse up front the race could well be set up for something that is held up slightly off the pace. Also connections wont be worrying at getting him qualified for Cheltenham so will be looking to win whatever the situation. At 33/1 I have to have a small e/w bet on him again.
So to sum up I have to be with Highway Jewel given my ante-post bet on her and the fact she was so impressive last time. Qualification for Cheltenham is key though and winning this will be a bonus on the way. Hopefully she can back up how highly I viewed her performance at Chaddesley Corbett. I will also cover Vinnie Lewis who looked good when winning last time and wont mind a slog in the mud at all. Finally a small bet on Ange Des Malberaux at massive odds again.
Highway Jewel 2pts @ 3/1 with Bet365
Vinnie Lewis 0.5pts e/w @ 12/1 with BetVictor
Ange Des Malberaux 0.25pts e/w @ 33/1 with Bet365

I really can't wait for this race as there are a few fascinating contenders and it is certain to have Cheltenham ramifications. Needless to say I am hoping for a big run from Highway Jewel having put her up at 66/1 for Cheltenham. Maybe I was being greedy, but I was hoping she might be an e/w price although I guess if you beat Hazel Hill by 25L and he goes and wins since then I guess the bookies had to price her up at around 5/2. I obviously will have her onside, but I don't think she is massive value. First of all she only needs to finish in the first 4 to qualify for Cheltenham which is surely the main priority and there is also set to be a fair bit of pace on here. The Worlds End, Marcle Ridge, Back Bar, Vinnie Lewis could all be contenders to make the running as well especially Marcle Ridge. She has the potential to be the most exciting horse in the race and the performance in beating Hazel Hill really was something to watch. If she can produce that in her first run under rules she should at the very least qualify for Cheltenham and it might well be good enough to win as well.
The Worlds End looks a horse to take on. There is clearly a reason why they are going down the hunter chase route and although he ran OK in the Long Walk connections obviously think he isn't handicapped to win a handicap and not good enough to win a graded race. He has only had 5 races over fences although one of his 2 wins was in a 4 runner race at Cheltenham. What you have to consider though if you want to back him is that he needs to finish in the 1st 4 here and then again in another hunter chase before the end of the month. If he turns out to be classy enough to win this with ease then he will be a big player at Cheltenham, but surely connections are going to have it in the back of their minds that he needs two quick runs and 4th will be good enough. They won't want to bottom him here and like I say this race is going to be run at a good pace.
Marcle Ridge was a very good 6th at Cheltenham last year having set a strong pace. He returned with a good win at Barbury in December and although the hot favourite Jatiluwih failed to run his race it was still an impressive performance. What concerns me about his chances though is the testing ground which I don't think he wants. He also has to give a decent amount of weight away to Highway Jewel as well as the potential battle for the lead. I'm also not sure he is the strongest stayer although given the tongue-tie has gone on for the first time maybe that will help him see out the trip better. The opening 12/1 with Bet365 was a stupid price, but he is around the right price now for me.
Back Bar seems on the short side in the betting for me. He did it well in a Ladies Open at Wadebridge on his seasonal return although it wasn't the strongest race in the world. He did beat Latenightpass at Horseheath a year ago though which was a good effort. Even so I find it hard to see him being good enough to take this as he has some improvement to find based on what the others have done.
Vinnie Lewis is interesting given we know he stays well and handles testing ground. He had looked to be going the wrong way last season, but for new connections he bolted up at Alnwick in December. Granted his jockey rode him out all the way to the line, but he managed to clock a slightly faster time than Red Indian, who is prominent in the Foxhunter market, when carrying 16lbs more. His jockey that day is pretty inexperienced so the fact Adam Wedge is on him is a big plus. I'm guessing they want to qualify him for Cheltenham, but I think they would want to take a race like this on the way and he can go well.
I don't fancy Monbeg Gold whose jumping has been a hinderance especially in his two hunter chase runs last season. This is stronger than either of those two contests as well.
Latenightpass has won his only hunter chase start at Cheltenham when he took the Intermediate Final on hunter chase night in 2019. I think connections want to run him in the Foxhunter, but first time out I find it hard to see him being good enough for this. He's also already qualified for Cheltenham so this could be a prep run more than anything.
The only other horse that is worth mentioning is Ange Des Malberaux. Obviously his unseat was painful last time at Ludlow and clearly on bare form he does need to find a bit. However as I pointed out the jockey change was clearly working big time. We know he stays, we know the ground wont be an issue and if the pace does collapse up front the race could well be set up for something that is held up slightly off the pace. Also connections wont be worrying at getting him qualified for Cheltenham so will be looking to win whatever the situation. At 33/1 I have to have a small e/w bet on him again.
So to sum up I have to be with Highway Jewel given my ante-post bet on her and the fact she was so impressive last time. Qualification for Cheltenham is key though and winning this will be a bonus on the way. Hopefully she can back up how highly I viewed her performance at Chaddesley Corbett. I will also cover Vinnie Lewis who looked good when winning last time and wont mind a slog in the mud at all. Finally a small bet on Ange Des Malberaux at massive odds again.
Highway Jewel 2pts @ 3/1 with Bet365
Vinnie Lewis 0.5pts e/w @ 12/1 with BetVictor
Ange Des Malberaux 0.25pts e/w @ 33/1 with Bet365

I really can't wait for this race as there are a few fascinating contenders and it is certain to have Cheltenham ramifications. Needless to say I am hoping for a big run from Highway Jewel having put her up at 66/1 for Cheltenham. Maybe I was being greedy, but I was hoping she might be an e/w price although I guess if you beat Hazel Hill by 25L and he goes and wins since then I guess the bookies had to price her up at around 5/2. I obviously will have her onside, but I don't think she is massive value. First of all she only needs to finish in the first 4 to qualify for Cheltenham which is surely the main priority and there is also set to be a fair bit of pace on here. The Worlds End, Marcle Ridge, Back Bar, Vinnie Lewis could all be contenders to make the running as well especially Marcle Ridge. She has the potential to be the most exciting horse in the race and the performance in beating Hazel Hill really was something to watch. If she can produce that in her first run under rules she should at the very least qualify for Cheltenham and it might well be good enough to win as well.
The Worlds End looks a horse to take on. There is clearly a reason why they are going down the hunter chase route and although he ran OK in the Long Walk connections obviously think he isn't handicapped to win a handicap and not good enough to win a graded race. He has only had 5 races over fences although one of his 2 wins was in a 4 runner race at Cheltenham. What you have to consider though if you want to back him is that he needs to finish in the 1st 4 here and then again in another hunter chase before the end of the month. If he turns out to be classy enough to win this with ease then he will be a big player at Cheltenham, but surely connections are going to have it in the back of their minds that he needs two quick runs and 4th will be good enough. They won't want to bottom him here and like I say this race is going to be run at a good pace.
Marcle Ridge was a very good 6th at Cheltenham last year having set a strong pace. He returned with a good win at Barbury in December and although the hot favourite Jatiluwih failed to run his race it was still an impressive performance. What concerns me about his chances though is the testing ground which I don't think he wants. He also has to give a decent amount of weight away to Highway Jewel as well as the potential battle for the lead. I'm also not sure he is the strongest stayer although given the tongue-tie has gone on for the first time maybe that will help him see out the trip better. The opening 12/1 with Bet365 was a stupid price, but he is around the right price now for me.
Back Bar seems on the short side in the betting for me. He did it well in a Ladies Open at Wadebridge on his seasonal return although it wasn't the strongest race in the world. He did beat Latenightpass at Horseheath a year ago though which was a good effort. Even so I find it hard to see him being good enough to take this as he has some improvement to find based on what the others have done.
Vinnie Lewis is interesting given we know he stays well and handles testing ground. He had looked to be going the wrong way last season, but for new connections he bolted up at Alnwick in December. Granted his jockey rode him out all the way to the line, but he managed to clock a slightly faster time than Red Indian, who is prominent in the Foxhunter market, when carrying 16lbs more. His jockey that day is pretty inexperienced so the fact Adam Wedge is on him is a big plus. I'm guessing they want to qualify him for Cheltenham, but I think they would want to take a race like this on the way and he can go well.
I don't fancy Monbeg Gold whose jumping has been a hinderance especially in his two hunter chase runs last season. This is stronger than either of those two contests as well.
Latenightpass has won his only hunter chase start at Cheltenham when he took the Intermediate Final on hunter chase night in 2019. I think connections want to run him in the Foxhunter, but first time out I find it hard to see him being good enough for this. He's also already qualified for Cheltenham so this could be a prep run more than anything.
The only other horse that is worth mentioning is Ange Des Malberaux. Obviously his unseat was painful last time at Ludlow and clearly on bare form he does need to find a bit. However as I pointed out the jockey change was clearly working big time. We know he stays, we know the ground wont be an issue and if the pace does collapse up front the race could well be set up for something that is held up slightly off the pace. Also connections wont be worrying at getting him qualified for Cheltenham so will be looking to win whatever the situation. At 33/1 I have to have a small e/w bet on him again.
So to sum up I have to be with Highway Jewel given my ante-post bet on her and the fact she was so impressive last time. Qualification for Cheltenham is key though and winning this will be a bonus on the way. Hopefully she can back up how highly I viewed her performance at Chaddesley Corbett. I will also cover Vinnie Lewis who looked good when winning last time and wont mind a slog in the mud at all. Finally a small bet on Ange Des Malberaux at massive odds again.
Highway Jewel 2pts @ 3/1 with Bet365
Vinnie Lewis 0.5pts e/w @ 12/1 with BetVictor
Ange Des Malberaux 0.25pts e/w @ 33/1 with Bet365

100/30 with William Hill is the biggest price you can now get about Billaway after he won the main prep race for the Irish runners at Naas for the 2nd year running. It was a very different performance to last year as the pace was genuine this time around and it was run on more testing ground. His jockey chose to go as wide as possible, but when the likes of Derek O'Connor and Jamie Codd chose to go on the inside you have to think that ground wise there can't have been much difference. Even so he clearly travelled further than every other horse in the race. He didn't always jump well and he hasn't always been foot perfect in the past although his trainer blamed the ground for it today. He also hit what has become his usual flat spot and going down the back once again he looked in trouble, but turning for home he was cruising once more and I thought he was going to hack up. It didn't turn out that way though as he had to work really hard for it especially after a small mistake at 2 out. I can certainly see why he is favourite, but I think we are basically looking at a similar horse to the one he was last season rather than one who has found much improvement. That could be enough to win, but when we haven't see what the British hunter chasers have to offer yet the price looks short enough at this stage. My other point about him though is that if he hits his flat spot at Cheltenham as you would expect him to, then he is likely to trade bigger in running than he is at the moment and that would be the time to back him because you would be fairly confident there will be a spell in the race where he will look beat and start to go backwards. Interestingly Ruby Walsh didn't think he had a lot left at the finish and didn't seem overly impressed with the performance. If he turns up at Cheltenham in March though then it would be surprising to see him not starting favourite.
Staker Wallace ran a hell of a race to finish 2nd, but it actually looks like he lost ground on the winner from the final fence to the line. To my eye there was about a length in it jumping the last and the winning margin was just over 2 come the line. I just find it hard to see how he can reverse this form and last year's Festival form with the winner, but he would have a place chance again as he does seem to have improved as the season has gone on. Solomn Grundy ran well to finish 3rd and was closer to the winner than at Down Royal last time, but again if he turns up at Cheltenham you wouldn't fancy him to win. 
On the face of it Alonealongmillions was disappointing, but he was found to be lame after the race so there was an excuse and hopefully he is OK. I just wonder though if connections will focus on the big Irish hunter chases at Fairyhouse and Punchestown now given he wouldn't seem to have an obvious chance of winning now and how tricky it is going to be to actually get a horse over to Cheltenham this year.
It Came To Pass was a non-runner in the end due to coughing and I am guessing connections will want to get a run into him before Cheltenham.
Hopefully we will see some of the leading British trained runners in the next few days with some strong entries at Warwick and Wincanton and if those don't happen then you would imagine Musselburgh and Wetherby on Saturday will benefit. Highway Jewel is entered in both contests which is good to see. If we see more races called off The Worlds End could struggle to actually get a run as he isn't guaranteed a run at either Warwick or Wincanton. Paul Nicholls looks like he is trying to qualify Sametegal who was 4th in the Veterans Final at Sandown at the start of January.

100/30 with William Hill is the biggest price you can now get about Billaway after he won the main prep race for the Irish runners at Naas for the 2nd year running. It was a very different performance to last year as the pace was genuine this time around and it was run on more testing ground. His jockey chose to go as wide as possible, but when the likes of Derek O'Connor and Jamie Codd chose to go on the inside you have to think that ground wise there can't have been much difference. Even so he clearly travelled further than every other horse in the race. He didn't always jump well and he hasn't always been foot perfect in the past although his trainer blamed the ground for it today. He also hit what has become his usual flat spot and going down the back once again he looked in trouble, but turning for home he was cruising once more and I thought he was going to hack up. It didn't turn out that way though as he had to work really hard for it especially after a small mistake at 2 out. I can certainly see why he is favourite, but I think we are basically looking at a similar horse to the one he was last season rather than one who has found much improvement. That could be enough to win, but when we haven't see what the British hunter chasers have to offer yet the price looks short enough at this stage. My other point about him though is that if he hits his flat spot at Cheltenham as you would expect him to, then he is likely to trade bigger in running than he is at the moment and that would be the time to back him because you would be fairly confident there will be a spell in the race where he will look beat and start to go backwards. Interestingly Ruby Walsh didn't think he had a lot left at the finish and didn't seem overly impressed with the performance. If he turns up at Cheltenham in March though then it would be surprising to see him not starting favourite.
Staker Wallace ran a hell of a race to finish 2nd, but it actually looks like he lost ground on the winner from the final fence to the line. To my eye there was about a length in it jumping the last and the winning margin was just over 2 come the line. I just find it hard to see how he can reverse this form and last year's Festival form with the winner, but he would have a place chance again as he does seem to have improved as the season has gone on. Solomn Grundy ran well to finish 3rd and was closer to the winner than at Down Royal last time, but again if he turns up at Cheltenham you wouldn't fancy him to win. 
On the face of it Alonealongmillions was disappointing, but he was found to be lame after the race so there was an excuse and hopefully he is OK. I just wonder though if connections will focus on the big Irish hunter chases at Fairyhouse and Punchestown now given he wouldn't seem to have an obvious chance of winning now and how tricky it is going to be to actually get a horse over to Cheltenham this year.
It Came To Pass was a non-runner in the end due to coughing and I am guessing connections will want to get a run into him before Cheltenham.
Hopefully we will see some of the leading British trained runners in the next few days with some strong entries at Warwick and Wincanton and if those don't happen then you would imagine Musselburgh and Wetherby on Saturday will benefit. Highway Jewel is entered in both contests which is good to see. If we see more races called off The Worlds End could struggle to actually get a run as he isn't guaranteed a run at either Warwick or Wincanton. Paul Nicholls looks like he is trying to qualify Sametegal who was 4th in the Veterans Final at Sandown at the start of January.

100/30 with William Hill is the biggest price you can now get about Billaway after he won the main prep race for the Irish runners at Naas for the 2nd year running. It was a very different performance to last year as the pace was genuine this time around and it was run on more testing ground. His jockey chose to go as wide as possible, but when the likes of Derek O'Connor and Jamie Codd chose to go on the inside you have to think that ground wise there can't have been much difference. Even so he clearly travelled further than every other horse in the race. He didn't always jump well and he hasn't always been foot perfect in the past although his trainer blamed the ground for it today. He also hit what has become his usual flat spot and going down the back once again he looked in trouble, but turning for home he was cruising once more and I thought he was going to hack up. It didn't turn out that way though as he had to work really hard for it especially after a small mistake at 2 out. I can certainly see why he is favourite, but I think we are basically looking at a similar horse to the one he was last season rather than one who has found much improvement. That could be enough to win, but when we haven't see what the British hunter chasers have to offer yet the price looks short enough at this stage. My other point about him though is that if he hits his flat spot at Cheltenham as you would expect him to, then he is likely to trade bigger in running than he is at the moment and that would be the time to back him because you would be fairly confident there will be a spell in the race where he will look beat and start to go backwards. Interestingly Ruby Walsh didn't think he had a lot left at the finish and didn't seem overly impressed with the performance. If he turns up at Cheltenham in March though then it would be surprising to see him not starting favourite.
Staker Wallace ran a hell of a race to finish 2nd, but it actually looks like he lost ground on the winner from the final fence to the line. To my eye there was about a length in it jumping the last and the winning margin was just over 2 come the line. I just find it hard to see how he can reverse this form and last year's Festival form with the winner, but he would have a place chance again as he does seem to have improved as the season has gone on. Solomn Grundy ran well to finish 3rd and was closer to the winner than at Down Royal last time, but again if he turns up at Cheltenham you wouldn't fancy him to win. 
On the face of it Alonealongmillions was disappointing, but he was found to be lame after the race so there was an excuse and hopefully he is OK. I just wonder though if connections will focus on the big Irish hunter chases at Fairyhouse and Punchestown now given he wouldn't seem to have an obvious chance of winning now and how tricky it is going to be to actually get a horse over to Cheltenham this year.
It Came To Pass was a non-runner in the end due to coughing and I am guessing connections will want to get a run into him before Cheltenham.
Hopefully we will see some of the leading British trained runners in the next few days with some strong entries at Warwick and Wincanton and if those don't happen then you would imagine Musselburgh and Wetherby on Saturday will benefit. Highway Jewel is entered in both contests which is good to see. If we see more races called off The Worlds End could struggle to actually get a run as he isn't guaranteed a run at either Warwick or Wincanton. Paul Nicholls looks like he is trying to qualify Sametegal who was 4th in the Veterans Final at Sandown at the start of January.

The last at Naas is the main Irish prep race for the Foxhunter at Cheltenham and although It Came To Pass is now a non-runner we have all the other leading candidates for Cheltenham in the contest.
Billaway is into odds on this morning and although he is the right favourite I am not sure he should be as short as that. He won this contest last year on his way to finishing 2nd at Cheltenham, but this race was run in a crawl last year on better ground than he will face today. The winning time was 1m12s slower than the standard time which highlights how slow they went. This will be a much tougher test and he has never won when heavy has featured in the going description. Obviously he can win, but there is value in taking him on in my view.
I know Aloneamongmillions has 8L to make up on the Down Royal run, but he looked an out and out stayer that day as he stayed on late in the race. Over this longer trip on more testing ground I think he has a chance of reversing the form. He also has the tongue-tie for the first time which suggests he might have struggled with his breathing a little last time. I think he has a solid chance of being in the first 3 at the very least. 
Staker Wallace won hard held last time, but has already been beaten by Aloneamongmillions in a point this season. Winged Leader was 2nd behind Billaway last time which was a massive bounce back from his return at Fairyhouse where he pulled up. He should go well again and it will be interesting to see how his stablemate On The Sod gets on. He bolted up in the last hunter chase of last season and won on his seasonal return. This is obviously a step-up, but he is clearly progressing nicely. Dragon D'Estruval won a handicap off 140 at Ludlow last year, but was beaten in a point first up this season on his first start for Willie Mullins. He looks a bit short in the betting for me.
Aloneamongmillions 1pt e/w @ 7/1 with Bet365 (4 places are available with Betfair at 11/2)

The last at Naas is the main Irish prep race for the Foxhunter at Cheltenham and although It Came To Pass is now a non-runner we have all the other leading candidates for Cheltenham in the contest.
Billaway is into odds on this morning and although he is the right favourite I am not sure he should be as short as that. He won this contest last year on his way to finishing 2nd at Cheltenham, but this race was run in a crawl last year on better ground than he will face today. The winning time was 1m12s slower than the standard time which highlights how slow they went. This will be a much tougher test and he has never won when heavy has featured in the going description. Obviously he can win, but there is value in taking him on in my view.
I know Aloneamongmillions has 8L to make up on the Down Royal run, but he looked an out and out stayer that day as he stayed on late in the race. Over this longer trip on more testing ground I think he has a chance of reversing the form. He also has the tongue-tie for the first time which suggests he might have struggled with his breathing a little last time. I think he has a solid chance of being in the first 3 at the very least. 
Staker Wallace won hard held last time, but has already been beaten by Aloneamongmillions in a point this season. Winged Leader was 2nd behind Billaway last time which was a massive bounce back from his return at Fairyhouse where he pulled up. He should go well again and it will be interesting to see how his stablemate On The Sod gets on. He bolted up in the last hunter chase of last season and won on his seasonal return. This is obviously a step-up, but he is clearly progressing nicely. Dragon D'Estruval won a handicap off 140 at Ludlow last year, but was beaten in a point first up this season on his first start for Willie Mullins. He looks a bit short in the betting for me.
Aloneamongmillions 1pt e/w @ 7/1 with Bet365 (4 places are available with Betfair at 11/2)

With the 1st hunter chases of the season coming yesterday at Fairyhouse I thought it was time to start this thread again. Having done this for the 1st time last season and it proving popular I will once again be updating those horses that are being aimed at the Foxhunter in March. It is one race that gets over looked when looking at Cheltenham and I always get asked questions about what horses are and aren't qualified for the race. So this is where I can keep everyone updated as to what is going on and my thoughts on the runners. Obviously any bets during the upcoming months will go here as well.
Given we have had just 3 points in the UK and the Irish season is in its early stages as well we have already seen plenty of horses hoping to line up at Cheltenham in March. Let's start with the Fairyhouse race from yesterday which featured It Came To Pass and Billaway, the first two home from last season. The former's trainer went on RacingTV before the race and said that the horse would improve a stone for the run, the ground was against him and that he is a better horse in the spring. It was no surprise he drifted in the betting and given all that I thought he ran really well as he got himself into contention before fading in the straight. As far as I am aware only William Hill have the race priced up and It Came To Pass is currently 12/1 2nd fav which seems a fair enough price to me as his run was full of promise. Billaway is currently the 8/1 market leader to reverse the form from last season. He travelled well up until just before they turned for home where he looked like he would drop out of contention, but he came back on the bridle and looked the winner until he made a right mess of the last. I'm not certain he would have won though as when he got to the winner on the run in he didn't get any closer and I think the winner had more in the tank. At this stage he is probably still the horse I would make favourite for the race as it was a promising return to action and he should still be progressive. Stand Up And Fight looked like he would be a possible winner of the Foxhunter a couple of years ago when he finished 6th in the race. Last season didn't go to plan though as he only managed to win a point over a banks course. It seems cross-country racing was going to be his thing this season, but after this win yesterday the trainer said he will stick to hunter chases now. First time blinkers might have done the trick and you would want to see them work again, but it was a personal best performance for me and if he builds on it then he will be a player come March. The 14/1 available is a fair price, but I would want to see a repeat performance before considering getting involved.
Staying in Ireland I have to mention a horse who was declared to run at Fairyhouse, but didn't turn up. Aloneamongmillions ended up running at Dromahane instead where he beat last year's 4th Staker Wallace by a very comfortable 3L. That performance clearly puts him in the Foxhunter picture and despite having only 7 runs he is already qualified. Interestingly the only time he hasn't won was when he made his debut and that came in the UK when he fell in a maiden that Road To Rome went on to win. Given what that one went on to do it would have been a fascinating contest if Aloneamongmillions had of stood up. In Ireland broke his maiden tag last month and then won 3 points last season, before winning a hunter chase at Gowran Park in pleasing style. After that race his trainer said he would be aimed at Cheltenham and clearly he has backed that up with his win on Sunday. He's 16/1 at the moment and is a fascinating contender at this stage. Staker Wallace himself is also 16/1 and having fancied him last season I wouldn't want to write him off just yet.
Onto what has been happening this side of the Irish sea. Because the pointing season was stopped last term when lockdown happened the current season started in October which given pointing has had to stop again because of lockdown was a very good move. We have also already seen 4 horses who could have serious Cheltenham claims. First to run was Maxwell's Foxhunter horse this season Jatiluwih at Bishops Court. The horse was very good over hurdles and he not surprisingly made a winning pointing debut under Will Biddick as his owner is currently injured. He clearly is a very good horse, but I wasn't impressed with his jumping and that will need to improve a lot before I even consider backing him for Cheltenham. Obviously there is scope for improvement on that front, but 14/1 wouldn't appeal on the basis of that run.
Maxwell has 3 other horses priced up. Shantou Flyer has surely had his best chance of winning the race so he looks short at 16s. I haven't seen anything about Cat Tiger going hunter chasing and he is at 20/1. Bob And Co is also 20/1 but however much the Racing Post's Tom Collins thinks he is a Cheltenham Foxhunter contender I would be amazed if he turned up at Cheltenham and Aintree will be is race. We also know that Maxwell will only run one in the race based on what he said before this year's renewal so something would need to happen to Jatiluwih for any other these to run.
In the Ladies Open on the Bishops Court card I was much more impressed with Red Indian who beat a solid yardstick in Master Baker by 50L. He looks a readymade replacement for the yards Top Wood and he looks set to be an exciting horse this season. He isn't priced up by William Hill at the moment, but he should be. Like Jatiluwih it was a good move to get him out early to get the 1st qualifying run out of the way.
At Maisemore Wishing And Hoping ran out a comfortable winner of the Mixed Open for the Hazel Hill team. Some thought he should have been aimed at Cheltenham last season, but I though the Rowley's were right to take things more slowly with him as he looked like he needed a bit more experience. It was a solid win and he jumped well in making all. You would think he will be Cheltenham bound this season.
The last meeting before lockdown number 2 was at Kimble and the Mens Open there saw another very impressive performance from a horse making their pointing debut. Porlock Bay has come over from France and was backed in the market beforehand so was fancied to win and he ended up bolting up by 20L. The race was over 2m4f and he is unproven over further so we don't yet know if he will stay the Cheltenham trip. The plan seems to be to try him over 3m next time and we will know more then, but he looks a classy horse based on this performance. Hills have him priced up at 25/1.
Pointing in the UK is set to start again once we come out of lockdown and pointing in Ireland continues. I don't have the UK hunter chase dates yet, but usually Taunton in January is the first race of the season.
NB - In his Racing Post stable tour on 16/11 Paul Nicholls has stated that Bob And Co has had a wind op and Cat Tiger will be going hunter chasing.

It is the first hunter chase of the season and it has been a very long 10 months since I last had a UK hunter chase to write about. After having a superb start to the 2019 season the start to the 2020 one was tough and I only just ended up making a profit. Obviously if we had gone through all the way to June I would have hoped to have improved that figure, but it did at least mean that in over 10 years of covering hunter chases I am yet to make a loss. At the moment amateur riders can't ride so we have professional's on top for now which does change things a bit, but I am glad they are at least taking place. We start with a 16 runner race which features 2019 Foxhunter winner Hazel Hill. I can't promise I will look at every single horse for every single race this season, but with my full time job out of action at the moment and 48 hour decs it certainly helps on that front.
Ennistown - 1st time blinkers worked so maybe 1st time hood will. I respect connections given what they did with Risk A Fine, but the ground looks a big question mark and he hasn't always convinced with his jumping. It wouldn't surprise me if he won, but he isn't for me.   Hazel Hill - Some question marks over him now given the last two efforts. It is possible Alex Edwards got caught out by Highway Jewel at Chaddesley Corbett last month, but he wasn't really making any inroads on her towards the end of the race. Given I have put her up for Cheltenham I obviously want to see a good run here and you would imagine he will come on for that effort. He also did finish a distance clear of the rest that day. At Wetherby he was found to be sore after the race and he had to make the running which I don't think he wants to do. That won't be an issue here. If at his best he is the one to beat, but there is no way I could even consider backing him at odds on.    Ange Des Malberaux - A concern 3m round here could be sharp enough for him given he won a Lincolnshire National 2 years ago, but he certainly hasn't had a stamina test in his 3 pointing runs to date. He was flying late at Larkhill a year ago to finish 3rd behind Virak and Southfield Theatre. He fell on his next start in October and then was a solid enough 4th at Barbury last month. Strictly speaking he has a fair bit to find with Hazel Hill on a line through Fifty Shades, but I think that could be a bit misleading. He is one who could benefit massively from a jockey switch and the ground will help turn this into more of a test.   Magna Sam - To be fair to him he was running a hell of a race in this contest last year, but he was a lucky winner given Ballynagour fell 4 out and then Alcala fell at 2 out and hampered Dieu Vivant. Did finish 3L 2nd to Miss Seagreen on his point start prior which obviously looks good. He was really poor at Leicester on the following start though when the heavy ground was to blame. Not sure he will keep hold of his crown, but could put in a bold showing again.   Ravished - Very interesting jockey booking from his very shrewd trainer. Was very impressive on his seasonal debut at Kimble in November when getting his revenge on Southfield Theatre after losing out to him at Larkhill the previous season. His trainer thought he was a Cheltenham Foxhunter candidate last season and no doubt will be aiming him at that race again this season. The one thing that would concern me is if the ground went heavy as he did lose at Bangor on heavy ground a year ago, but otherwise he looks to have a good chance.   An Scairp - Pulled up on his only hunter chase start at Stratford in 2019 and was a 6L 2nd to Southfield Theatre on his only start since last February. That not a bad effort and is unexposed. His only run on soft ground he was well beaten in a bumper so that is an unknown.   Behind Time - Looks very much the trainers 2nd string and dropped away quite tamely on his pointing debut at Chaddesley Corbett in a race won by Chase Me.   Chase Me - Is a 5 time point winner including when dead heating last time as mentioned above. The time wasn't overly quick and he has never looked like winning a hunter chase yet so would be a bit of a surprise winner.   Dark Mahler - Was well beaten by Hazel Hill a year ago in a point although the runs either side of that weren't too bad. Even so hard to think he can win this.   Rikers Island - An interesting contender given he looked like he would be capable of winning a good race at one stage. He bolted up at Wincanton just over 2 years ago and followed that up with a good run at Newbury. It didn't quite go to plan after that though. Last season he was a solid 4th when returning at Exeter, but never threatened at Ascot and Wincanton after that. He has moved yards, but is owned by the same person and you would imagine Cheltenham qualification is the aim. If he can regain his progression he will be a player here.   Staple Head - His only win was in a match at Northaw in 2018 and it is nearly 2 years since he last ran.   Wayupinthebox - Would be a surprise winner.   Miss Seagreen - Looks to be improving having ended last season with an Intermediate win at Didmarton and then stepped up to Open company on her return last month at Larkhill beating Southfield Theatre by just over a length. It looked like she would win easier than that but the 2nd and 3rd closed on the run in. I think she was idling more than anything though and the winning margin could have been greater. Using Southfield Theatre as a yardstick Ravished has the beating of her, but I do think Southfield Theatre improved from 1st start to 2nd start. The ground is a big unknown, but if she handles it then I can see her running well.   Verdict - A huge field for the 1st hunter chase of the season and I suspect that will be the norm whilst pointing is suspended. There look to be very few capable of actually winning though. Hazel Hill is obviously one of them, but I would want to be looking at over 2/1 before I considered backing him. If he does win at least it is a big form boost for my Foxhunter bet. I'm not surprised that Ravished was backed from an early 7/1 and as usual his trainer is full of confidence. He's probably around the right price now though. Ennistown has ground concerns which put me off and as much as Reikers Island could be good enough to win I am happy to watching brief on him for now. That leaves me with Miss Seagreen and Ange Des Malberaux as the two other possible winners and I am happy to take both e/w. At a double figure price I think Miss Seagreen is too big. We know she is an improving horse and if she handles the ground I think she will be be bang there. Interestingly Ange Des Malberaux is seeing a little bit of support at a huge price. Like I say on bare pointing form he has a bit to find, but I think he could be a big improver for a change of jockey from a very inexperienced one in points to a professional. We know he is a dour stayer and that could be crucial given the ground conditions.   Miss Seagreen 1pt e/w @ 10/1 with Betfair (4 places) Ange Des Malberaux 0.5pts e/w @ 28/1 with Bet365 or 25/1 with Betfair (4 places)

It is the first hunter chase of the season and it has been a very long 10 months since I last had a UK hunter chase to write about. After having a superb start to the 2019 season the start to the 2020 one was tough and I only just ended up making a profit. Obviously if we had gone through all the way to June I would have hoped to have improved that figure, but it did at least mean that in over 10 years of covering hunter chases I am yet to make a loss. At the moment amateur riders can't ride so we have professional's on top for now which does change things a bit, but I am glad they are at least taking place. We start with a 16 runner race which features 2019 Foxhunter winner Hazel Hill. I can't promise I will look at every single horse for every single race this season, but with my full time job out of action at the moment and 48 hour decs it certainly helps on that front.
Ennistown - 1st time blinkers worked so maybe 1st time hood will. I respect connections given what they did with Risk A Fine, but the ground looks a big question mark and he hasn't always convinced with his jumping. It wouldn't surprise me if he won, but he isn't for me.   Hazel Hill - Some question marks over him now given the last two efforts. It is possible Alex Edwards got caught out by Highway Jewel at Chaddesley Corbett last month, but he wasn't really making any inroads on her towards the end of the race. Given I have put her up for Cheltenham I obviously want to see a good run here and you would imagine he will come on for that effort. He also did finish a distance clear of the rest that day. At Wetherby he was found to be sore after the race and he had to make the running which I don't think he wants to do. That won't be an issue here. If at his best he is the one to beat, but there is no way I could even consider backing him at odds on.    Ange Des Malberaux - A concern 3m round here could be sharp enough for him given he won a Lincolnshire National 2 years ago, but he certainly hasn't had a stamina test in his 3 pointing runs to date. He was flying late at Larkhill a year ago to finish 3rd behind Virak and Southfield Theatre. He fell on his next start in October and then was a solid enough 4th at Barbury last month. Strictly speaking he has a fair bit to find with Hazel Hill on a line through Fifty Shades, but I think that could be a bit misleading. He is one who could benefit massively from a jockey switch and the ground will help turn this into more of a test.   Magna Sam - To be fair to him he was running a hell of a race in this contest last year, but he was a lucky winner given Ballynagour fell 4 out and then Alcala fell at 2 out and hampered Dieu Vivant. Did finish 3L 2nd to Miss Seagreen on his point start prior which obviously looks good. He was really poor at Leicester on the following start though when the heavy ground was to blame. Not sure he will keep hold of his crown, but could put in a bold showing again.   Ravished - Very interesting jockey booking from his very shrewd trainer. Was very impressive on his seasonal debut at Kimble in November when getting his revenge on Southfield Theatre after losing out to him at Larkhill the previous season. His trainer thought he was a Cheltenham Foxhunter candidate last season and no doubt will be aiming him at that race again this season. The one thing that would concern me is if the ground went heavy as he did lose at Bangor on heavy ground a year ago, but otherwise he looks to have a good chance.   An Scairp - Pulled up on his only hunter chase start at Stratford in 2019 and was a 6L 2nd to Southfield Theatre on his only start since last February. That not a bad effort and is unexposed. His only run on soft ground he was well beaten in a bumper so that is an unknown.   Behind Time - Looks very much the trainers 2nd string and dropped away quite tamely on his pointing debut at Chaddesley Corbett in a race won by Chase Me.   Chase Me - Is a 5 time point winner including when dead heating last time as mentioned above. The time wasn't overly quick and he has never looked like winning a hunter chase yet so would be a bit of a surprise winner.   Dark Mahler - Was well beaten by Hazel Hill a year ago in a point although the runs either side of that weren't too bad. Even so hard to think he can win this.   Rikers Island - An interesting contender given he looked like he would be capable of winning a good race at one stage. He bolted up at Wincanton just over 2 years ago and followed that up with a good run at Newbury. It didn't quite go to plan after that though. Last season he was a solid 4th when returning at Exeter, but never threatened at Ascot and Wincanton after that. He has moved yards, but is owned by the same person and you would imagine Cheltenham qualification is the aim. If he can regain his progression he will be a player here.   Staple Head - His only win was in a match at Northaw in 2018 and it is nearly 2 years since he last ran.   Wayupinthebox - Would be a surprise winner.   Miss Seagreen - Looks to be improving having ended last season with an Intermediate win at Didmarton and then stepped up to Open company on her return last month at Larkhill beating Southfield Theatre by just over a length. It looked like she would win easier than that but the 2nd and 3rd closed on the run in. I think she was idling more than anything though and the winning margin could have been greater. Using Southfield Theatre as a yardstick Ravished has the beating of her, but I do think Southfield Theatre improved from 1st start to 2nd start. The ground is a big unknown, but if she handles it then I can see her running well.   Verdict - A huge field for the 1st hunter chase of the season and I suspect that will be the norm whilst pointing is suspended. There look to be very few capable of actually winning though. Hazel Hill is obviously one of them, but I would want to be looking at over 2/1 before I considered backing him. If he does win at least it is a big form boost for my Foxhunter bet. I'm not surprised that Ravished was backed from an early 7/1 and as usual his trainer is full of confidence. He's probably around the right price now though. Ennistown has ground concerns which put me off and as much as Reikers Island could be good enough to win I am happy to watching brief on him for now. That leaves me with Miss Seagreen and Ange Des Malberaux as the two other possible winners and I am happy to take both e/w. At a double figure price I think Miss Seagreen is too big. We know she is an improving horse and if she handles the ground I think she will be be bang there. Interestingly Ange Des Malberaux is seeing a little bit of support at a huge price. Like I say on bare pointing form he has a bit to find, but I think he could be a big improver for a change of jockey from a very inexperienced one in points to a professional. We know he is a dour stayer and that could be crucial given the ground conditions.   Miss Seagreen 1pt e/w @ 10/1 with Betfair (4 places) Ange Des Malberaux 0.5pts e/w @ 28/1 with Bet365 or 25/1 with Betfair (4 places)

It's 3:40. Good to see hunter chases back and the previews and Hazel Hill!

It is the first hunter chase of the season and it has been a very long 10 months since I last had a UK hunter chase to write about. After having a superb start to the 2019 season the start to the 2020 one was tough and I only just ended up making a profit. Obviously if we had gone through all the way to June I would have hoped to have improved that figure, but it did at least mean that in over 10 years of covering hunter chases I am yet to make a loss. At the moment amateur riders can't ride so we have professional's on top for now which does change things a bit, but I am glad they are at least taking place. We start with a 16 runner race which features 2019 Foxhunter winner Hazel Hill. I can't promise I will look at every single horse for every single race this season, but with my full time job out of action at the moment and 48 hour decs it certainly helps on that front.
Ennistown - 1st time blinkers worked so maybe 1st time hood will. I respect connections given what they did with Risk A Fine, but the ground looks a big question mark and he hasn't always convinced with his jumping. It wouldn't surprise me if he won, but he isn't for me.   Hazel Hill - Some question marks over him now given the last two efforts. It is possible Alex Edwards got caught out by Highway Jewel at Chaddesley Corbett last month, but he wasn't really making any inroads on her towards the end of the race. Given I have put her up for Cheltenham I obviously want to see a good run here and you would imagine he will come on for that effort. He also did finish a distance clear of the rest that day. At Wetherby he was found to be sore after the race and he had to make the running which I don't think he wants to do. That won't be an issue here. If at his best he is the one to beat, but there is no way I could even consider backing him at odds on.    Ange Des Malberaux - A concern 3m round here could be sharp enough for him given he won a Lincolnshire National 2 years ago, but he certainly hasn't had a stamina test in his 3 pointing runs to date. He was flying late at Larkhill a year ago to finish 3rd behind Virak and Southfield Theatre. He fell on his next start in October and then was a solid enough 4th at Barbury last month. Strictly speaking he has a fair bit to find with Hazel Hill on a line through Fifty Shades, but I think that could be a bit misleading. He is one who could benefit massively from a jockey switch and the ground will help turn this into more of a test.   Magna Sam - To be fair to him he was running a hell of a race in this contest last year, but he was a lucky winner given Ballynagour fell 4 out and then Alcala fell at 2 out and hampered Dieu Vivant. Did finish 3L 2nd to Miss Seagreen on his point start prior which obviously looks good. He was really poor at Leicester on the following start though when the heavy ground was to blame. Not sure he will keep hold of his crown, but could put in a bold showing again.   Ravished - Very interesting jockey booking from his very shrewd trainer. Was very impressive on his seasonal debut at Kimble in November when getting his revenge on Southfield Theatre after losing out to him at Larkhill the previous season. His trainer thought he was a Cheltenham Foxhunter candidate last season and no doubt will be aiming him at that race again this season. The one thing that would concern me is if the ground went heavy as he did lose at Bangor on heavy ground a year ago, but otherwise he looks to have a good chance.   An Scairp - Pulled up on his only hunter chase start at Stratford in 2019 and was a 6L 2nd to Southfield Theatre on his only start since last February. That not a bad effort and is unexposed. His only run on soft ground he was well beaten in a bumper so that is an unknown.   Behind Time - Looks very much the trainers 2nd string and dropped away quite tamely on his pointing debut at Chaddesley Corbett in a race won by Chase Me.   Chase Me - Is a 5 time point winner including when dead heating last time as mentioned above. The time wasn't overly quick and he has never looked like winning a hunter chase yet so would be a bit of a surprise winner.   Dark Mahler - Was well beaten by Hazel Hill a year ago in a point although the runs either side of that weren't too bad. Even so hard to think he can win this.   Rikers Island - An interesting contender given he looked like he would be capable of winning a good race at one stage. He bolted up at Wincanton just over 2 years ago and followed that up with a good run at Newbury. It didn't quite go to plan after that though. Last season he was a solid 4th when returning at Exeter, but never threatened at Ascot and Wincanton after that. He has moved yards, but is owned by the same person and you would imagine Cheltenham qualification is the aim. If he can regain his progression he will be a player here.   Staple Head - His only win was in a match at Northaw in 2018 and it is nearly 2 years since he last ran.   Wayupinthebox - Would be a surprise winner.   Miss Seagreen - Looks to be improving having ended last season with an Intermediate win at Didmarton and then stepped up to Open company on her return last month at Larkhill beating Southfield Theatre by just over a length. It looked like she would win easier than that but the 2nd and 3rd closed on the run in. I think she was idling more than anything though and the winning margin could have been greater. Using Southfield Theatre as a yardstick Ravished has the beating of her, but I do think Southfield Theatre improved from 1st start to 2nd start. The ground is a big unknown, but if she handles it then I can see her running well.   Verdict - A huge field for the 1st hunter chase of the season and I suspect that will be the norm whilst pointing is suspended. There look to be very few capable of actually winning though. Hazel Hill is obviously one of them, but I would want to be looking at over 2/1 before I considered backing him. If he does win at least it is a big form boost for my Foxhunter bet. I'm not surprised that Ravished was backed from an early 7/1 and as usual his trainer is full of confidence. He's probably around the right price now though. Ennistown has ground concerns which put me off and as much as Reikers Island could be good enough to win I am happy to watching brief on him for now. That leaves me with Miss Seagreen and Ange Des Malberaux as the two other possible winners and I am happy to take both e/w. At a double figure price I think Miss Seagreen is too big. We know she is an improving horse and if she handles the ground I think she will be be bang there. Interestingly Ange Des Malberaux is seeing a little bit of support at a huge price. Like I say on bare pointing form he has a bit to find, but I think he could be a big improver for a change of jockey from a very inexperienced one in points to a professional. We know he is a dour stayer and that could be crucial given the ground conditions.   Miss Seagreen 1pt e/w @ 10/1 with Betfair (4 places) Ange Des Malberaux 0.5pts e/w @ 28/1 with Bet365 or 25/1 with Betfair (4 places)

It is the first hunter chase of the season and it has been a very long 10 months since I last had a UK hunter chase to write about. After having a superb start to the 2019 season the start to the 2020 one was tough and I only just ended up making a profit. Obviously if we had gone through all the way to June I would have hoped to have improved that figure, but it did at least mean that in over 10 years of covering hunter chases I am yet to make a loss. At the moment amateur riders can't ride so we have professional's on top for now which does change things a bit, but I am glad they are at least taking place. We start with a 16 runner race which features 2019 Foxhunter winner Hazel Hill. I can't promise I will look at every single horse for every single race this season, but with my full time job out of action at the moment and 48 hour decs it certainly helps on that front.
Ennistown - 1st time blinkers worked so maybe 1st time hood will. I respect connections given what they did with Risk A Fine, but the ground looks a big question mark and he hasn't always convinced with his jumping. It wouldn't surprise me if he won, but he isn't for me.   Hazel Hill - Some question marks over him now given the last two efforts. It is possible Alex Edwards got caught out by Highway Jewel at Chaddesley Corbett last month, but he wasn't really making any inroads on her towards the end of the race. Given I have put her up for Cheltenham I obviously want to see a good run here and you would imagine he will come on for that effort. He also did finish a distance clear of the rest that day. At Wetherby he was found to be sore after the race and he had to make the running which I don't think he wants to do. That won't be an issue here. If at his best he is the one to beat, but there is no way I could even consider backing him at odds on.    Ange Des Malberaux - A concern 3m round here could be sharp enough for him given he won a Lincolnshire National 2 years ago, but he certainly hasn't had a stamina test in his 3 pointing runs to date. He was flying late at Larkhill a year ago to finish 3rd behind Virak and Southfield Theatre. He fell on his next start in October and then was a solid enough 4th at Barbury last month. Strictly speaking he has a fair bit to find with Hazel Hill on a line through Fifty Shades, but I think that could be a bit misleading. He is one who could benefit massively from a jockey switch and the ground will help turn this into more of a test.   Magna Sam - To be fair to him he was running a hell of a race in this contest last year, but he was a lucky winner given Ballynagour fell 4 out and then Alcala fell at 2 out and hampered Dieu Vivant. Did finish 3L 2nd to Miss Seagreen on his point start prior which obviously looks good. He was really poor at Leicester on the following start though when the heavy ground was to blame. Not sure he will keep hold of his crown, but could put in a bold showing again.   Ravished - Very interesting jockey booking from his very shrewd trainer. Was very impressive on his seasonal debut at Kimble in November when getting his revenge on Southfield Theatre after losing out to him at Larkhill the previous season. His trainer thought he was a Cheltenham Foxhunter candidate last season and no doubt will be aiming him at that race again this season. The one thing that would concern me is if the ground went heavy as he did lose at Bangor on heavy ground a year ago, but otherwise he looks to have a good chance.   An Scairp - Pulled up on his only hunter chase start at Stratford in 2019 and was a 6L 2nd to Southfield Theatre on his only start since last February. That not a bad effort and is unexposed. His only run on soft ground he was well beaten in a bumper so that is an unknown.   Behind Time - Looks very much the trainers 2nd string and dropped away quite tamely on his pointing debut at Chaddesley Corbett in a race won by Chase Me.   Chase Me - Is a 5 time point winner including when dead heating last time as mentioned above. The time wasn't overly quick and he has never looked like winning a hunter chase yet so would be a bit of a surprise winner.   Dark Mahler - Was well beaten by Hazel Hill a year ago in a point although the runs either side of that weren't too bad. Even so hard to think he can win this.   Rikers Island - An interesting contender given he looked like he would be capable of winning a good race at one stage. He bolted up at Wincanton just over 2 years ago and followed that up with a good run at Newbury. It didn't quite go to plan after that though. Last season he was a solid 4th when returning at Exeter, but never threatened at Ascot and Wincanton after that. He has moved yards, but is owned by the same person and you would imagine Cheltenham qualification is the aim. If he can regain his progression he will be a player here.   Staple Head - His only win was in a match at Northaw in 2018 and it is nearly 2 years since he last ran.   Wayupinthebox - Would be a surprise winner.   Miss Seagreen - Looks to be improving having ended last season with an Intermediate win at Didmarton and then stepped up to Open company on her return last month at Larkhill beating Southfield Theatre by just over a length. It looked like she would win easier than that but the 2nd and 3rd closed on the run in. I think she was idling more than anything though and the winning margin could have been greater. Using Southfield Theatre as a yardstick Ravished has the beating of her, but I do think Southfield Theatre improved from 1st start to 2nd start. The ground is a big unknown, but if she handles it then I can see her running well.   Verdict - A huge field for the 1st hunter chase of the season and I suspect that will be the norm whilst pointing is suspended. There look to be very few capable of actually winning though. Hazel Hill is obviously one of them, but I would want to be looking at over 2/1 before I considered backing him. If he does win at least it is a big form boost for my Foxhunter bet. I'm not surprised that Ravished was backed from an early 7/1 and as usual his trainer is full of confidence. He's probably around the right price now though. Ennistown has ground concerns which put me off and as much as Reikers Island could be good enough to win I am happy to watching brief on him for now. That leaves me with Miss Seagreen and Ange Des Malberaux as the two other possible winners and I am happy to take both e/w. At a double figure price I think Miss Seagreen is too big. We know she is an improving horse and if she handles the ground I think she will be be bang there. Interestingly Ange Des Malberaux is seeing a little bit of support at a huge price. Like I say on bare pointing form he has a bit to find, but I think he could be a big improver for a change of jockey from a very inexperienced one in points to a professional. We know he is a dour stayer and that could be crucial given the ground conditions.   Miss Seagreen 1pt e/w @ 10/1 with Betfair (4 places) Ange Des Malberaux 0.5pts e/w @ 28/1 with Bet365 or 25/1 with Betfair (4 places)

Been a while since I updated this although that is mainly because there has been very little happening. Staker Wallace did win a maiden hunter chase with ease, but that wasn't a surprise given the quality of the opposition. I'm surprised bookies cut him in the market after that because he won as he should have done. At this stage I find it hard to see him improving on last year's 4th. One other bit of news is that Road To Rome is back having suffered a nasty injury in a point in 2019. He was 4th at Cheltenham behind Hazel Hill and obviously we don't know how good he is after the injury, but it is good to see him back at full fitness.
Obviously we have no idea what is going to happen regarding the Irish horses come Cheltenham, but I will say it will be a bit risky if you did back an Irish runner at the moment although you would like to think bookies would refund if they couldn't come because of Covid.
Today it was announced that pointing has been stopped in Ireland and on the back of pointing in the UK unlikely to be back before qualification ends, it means a lack of chances for horses to qualify. I think the BHA will change the qualification rules, but that is only me guessing and we could see some very competitive hunter chases with horses looking to qualify if they don't change the rules.
It was also announced today that hunter chases are allowed to continue in the UK, but no amateur riders will be allowed so the horses will have to be ridden by pros. Hopefully that can change in time for Cheltenham, but we could see a jockey win the Gold Cup and then win the Foxhunter as mad as that sounds. I'm not going to get into fact of if this is right or not, but I will say at least it means hunter chases can happen and if gives connections an outlet to run their horses. The first hunter chase is at Ludlow next Thursday and there are currently only 18 hunter chases scheduled before qualification ends. I can imagine we will see some big entry numbers and if we do hopefully we either see divisions allowed (they aren't currently) or we see extra races put on.
As per the last two year's my hunter chase previews will be on here again and fingers crossed we get a full season this time around and that it isn't too long before amateur jockey's are allowed back on a racecourse.

Been a while since I updated this although that is mainly because there has been very little happening. Staker Wallace did win a maiden hunter chase with ease, but that wasn't a surprise given the quality of the opposition. I'm surprised bookies cut him in the market after that because he won as he should have done. At this stage I find it hard to see him improving on last year's 4th. One other bit of news is that Road To Rome is back having suffered a nasty injury in a point in 2019. He was 4th at Cheltenham behind Hazel Hill and obviously we don't know how good he is after the injury, but it is good to see him back at full fitness.
Obviously we have no idea what is going to happen regarding the Irish horses come Cheltenham, but I will say it will be a bit risky if you did back an Irish runner at the moment although you would like to think bookies would refund if they couldn't come because of Covid.
Today it was announced that pointing has been stopped in Ireland and on the back of pointing in the UK unlikely to be back before qualification ends, it means a lack of chances for horses to qualify. I think the BHA will change the qualification rules, but that is only me guessing and we could see some very competitive hunter chases with horses looking to qualify if they don't change the rules.
It was also announced today that hunter chases are allowed to continue in the UK, but no amateur riders will be allowed so the horses will have to be ridden by pros. Hopefully that can change in time for Cheltenham, but we could see a jockey win the Gold Cup and then win the Foxhunter as mad as that sounds. I'm not going to get into fact of if this is right or not, but I will say at least it means hunter chases can happen and if gives connections an outlet to run their horses. The first hunter chase is at Ludlow next Thursday and there are currently only 18 hunter chases scheduled before qualification ends. I can imagine we will see some big entry numbers and if we do hopefully we either see divisions allowed (they aren't currently) or we see extra races put on.
As per the last two year's my hunter chase previews will be on here again and fingers crossed we get a full season this time around and that it isn't too long before amateur jockey's are allowed back on a racecourse.

Finally got time to update this and I will start with the Down Royal contest. Billaway was an impressive winner despite hitting a flat spot as he did at Fairyhouse. It was only brief though and he was soon back on the bridle. Not surprisingly he was cut into 5/1 on the back of the performance and as much as that doesn't appeal at the moment I think he is the right favourite. Last year I worried about the trip and this race is over just under 2m6f, but I think he stayed well enough last season and there is every chance he can improve. Winged Leader was back to his best after a disappointing run at Fairyhouse. Only William Hill have him in the betting at 16/1, but I'm not sure he would be capable of reversing the form. He is about to turn 7 and he could be one for 2022 rather than 2021. Aloneamongmillions looks a stayer to me as he stayed on again after getting out paced. I think 3m2f at Cheltenham will suit him a lot better than this contest and he still has the potential to be a big player in the Foxhunter. 20/1 with Betfair seems fair price at the moment. Stand Up And Fight was well beaten although he looks another who would prefer a longer trip.
Onto the last weekend of pointing before Christmas and Red Indian was a big market mover after qualifying for Cheltenham when winning the Ladies Open at Alnwick. He did it very easily and I can certainly understand why the big prices were taken. He's no bigger than 16/1 and given his two wins this season and his form under rules he would certainly be on one of my possible winners at this stage.
Although not currently in the betting the Mens Open winner on the card could well turn out to be a Cheltenham contender. Vinnie Lewis is a proven stayer and loves the mud. He has won the Southern National in the past in testing conditions. He had lost his way under rules for Harry Whittington last season, but he put in a really impressive performance on his debut for Chris Bealby. He won by 25L and clocked a slightly quicker time than Red Indian despite carrying 1st2lbs more. He still needs to qualify for Cheltenham, but he could well turn into a contender.
We also had Barbury on the same day and the Mixed Open was won by last seasons Foxhunter 6th Marcle Ridge. As he did at Cheltenham he made the running and ended up being an easy winner. I find it hard to think he can make the jump to actually being able to win the Foxhunter, but he is a horse you can see running well again. He is 100/1 with Betfair which does seem on the big side. A bigger story though was the poor run from Jatiluwih who ended up pulling up. He hadn't jumped well again and was struggling at about half way. It seemed like the run was too bad to be true and he was entered again next week at Chaddesley Corbett, but at this stage he makes no appeal whatsoever on his two pointing runs so far.
Sadly Chaddesley Corbett has been called off as there would have been Foxhunter clues to be had. There is a chance it could be the last meeting for a while as meetings can't be held in tier 4 or another full lockdown. It is also unknown if hunter chases will be able to start given amateur races were stopped during lockdown. Finally if points do go ahead any horse trained in tier can't run. This could be a nightmare for horses trying to qualify and I wonder if the BHA might have to relax the rules. I guess the other thing to consider is if Irish horses can't travel to Cheltenham. Hopefully that won't happen, but I don't think you can rule anything out at this stage.

Needless to say I am looking forward to the Down Royal Hunter Chase this afternoon with Aloneamongmillions and Bilaway clashing. We will also get to see if Stand Up And Fight can back up his Fairyhouse win and David Christie has Winged Leader, on a recovery mission and Some Man as well. I wont be having a bet in the race myself and will update this after the race with my thoughts as well as reporting on what happened at Barbury and Alnwick at the weekend this side of the Irish seas.

It was great to see pointing in the UK back at the weekend and there were two divisions of the Mixed Open at Chaddesley Corbett which held plenty of interest as regards to the Cheltenham Foxhunter.
In the 1st division 2019 winner Hazel Hill made his seasonal return and his first run since losing at Wetherby to Minella Rocco. He was sent off the 1/3F, but he never looked like winning as he finished a 25L 2nd to Highway Jewel. Bradley Gibbs made all on the 6yo and built up a massive advantage with another rival before that one dropped away and no one else get anywhere near her. The winning time backed up the visual appearance that she wasn't exactly hanging around and it was impressive how she kept up the gallop. It could be argued that Alex Edwards misjudged things badly on the 2nd and you would imagine he wasn't fully tuned up for this, but I think the best horse won. Hazel Hill turns 13 next month and you have to wonder if he will even go to Cheltenham. The winner was sent off at 20/1 which wasn't a huge surprise as although she was 4/4 since coming over from Ireland the last two of those were in matches and the other two a Maiden and a Restricted. That was all in the 18/19 season as well so she hadn't run since May 2019 and you wouldn't have thought she would have been capable of beating a Foxhunter winner by 25L in such impressive fashion. She looks a very good horse and has proven she can handle good ground as well as testing ground. She hasn't qualified for Cheltenham yet and we have already seen some impressive horses this season, but I am actually going to recommend a bet on her at 66/1. I wouldn't usually get involved in the race at this stage, but I wasn't expecting to see her at such a big price as I would have her around 25/1 at this stage. Given Hazel Hill is 16s it is clear to me she is totally the wrong price.
It didn't get any better for the Rowley team as they had another 1/3F beaten in the 2nd division which was also won by a Bradley Gibbs trained/ridden runner. As mentioned in the 1st update Wishing And Hoping had made a winning return at Maisemore, but he was firmly put in his place here by Premier Magic. He made the running until 3 out when the winner took over and ended up scoring by 7L. He was only a 6/1 chance, but it was still surprising that he was able to beat Wishing And Hoping. That made his pointing record in the UK 3/7 and on his last start of last season he was all out to win a Restricted at Didmarton back in March. The 2nd did have a 7lbs penalty to carry, but you would think that with fitness onside he ought to have won this. I guess Cheltenham would still be the plan, but you would want to see him bounce back next time out.
Over in Ireland we saw last year's 4th Staker Wallace finish 2nd again this time to Dom Dolo. That one is rated 125 over hurdles and had fallen at the 1st on his seasonal return, but this was a good performance. Given Staker Wallace is 16/1 you would imagine connections of Dom Dolo will be thinking of Cheltenham although he isn't priced up yet.
This weekend we could well see Jatiluwih and Red Indian qualify for Cheltenham as they are both entered up this weekend. I will be back after the weekend to update on their efforts should they be back in action.
Highway Jewel 0.5pts e/w @ 66/1 with Betfair

It was great to see pointing in the UK back at the weekend and there were two divisions of the Mixed Open at Chaddesley Corbett which held plenty of interest as regards to the Cheltenham Foxhunter.
In the 1st division 2019 winner Hazel Hill made his seasonal return and his first run since losing at Wetherby to Minella Rocco. He was sent off the 1/3F, but he never looked like winning as he finished a 25L 2nd to Highway Jewel. Bradley Gibbs made all on the 6yo and built up a massive advantage with another rival before that one dropped away and no one else get anywhere near her. The winning time backed up the visual appearance that she wasn't exactly hanging around and it was impressive how she kept up the gallop. It could be argued that Alex Edwards misjudged things badly on the 2nd and you would imagine he wasn't fully tuned up for this, but I think the best horse won. Hazel Hill turns 13 next month and you have to wonder if he will even go to Cheltenham. The winner was sent off at 20/1 which wasn't a huge surprise as although she was 4/4 since coming over from Ireland the last two of those were in matches and the other two a Maiden and a Restricted. That was all in the 18/19 season as well so she hadn't run since May 2019 and you wouldn't have thought she would have been capable of beating a Foxhunter winner by 25L in such impressive fashion. She looks a very good horse and has proven she can handle good ground as well as testing ground. She hasn't qualified for Cheltenham yet and we have already seen some impressive horses this season, but I am actually going to recommend a bet on her at 66/1. I wouldn't usually get involved in the race at this stage, but I wasn't expecting to see her at such a big price as I would have her around 25/1 at this stage. Given Hazel Hill is 16s it is clear to me she is totally the wrong price.
It didn't get any better for the Rowley team as they had another 1/3F beaten in the 2nd division which was also won by a Bradley Gibbs trained/ridden runner. As mentioned in the 1st update Wishing And Hoping had made a winning return at Maisemore, but he was firmly put in his place here by Premier Magic. He made the running until 3 out when the winner took over and ended up scoring by 7L. He was only a 6/1 chance, but it was still surprising that he was able to beat Wishing And Hoping. That made his pointing record in the UK 3/7 and on his last start of last season he was all out to win a Restricted at Didmarton back in March. The 2nd did have a 7lbs penalty to carry, but you would think that with fitness onside he ought to have won this. I guess Cheltenham would still be the plan, but you would want to see him bounce back next time out.
Over in Ireland we saw last year's 4th Staker Wallace finish 2nd again this time to Dom Dolo. That one is rated 125 over hurdles and had fallen at the 1st on his seasonal return, but this was a good performance. Given Staker Wallace is 16/1 you would imagine connections of Dom Dolo will be thinking of Cheltenham although he isn't priced up yet.
This weekend we could well see Jatiluwih and Red Indian qualify for Cheltenham as they are both entered up this weekend. I will be back after the weekend to update on their efforts should they be back in action.
Highway Jewel 0.5pts e/w @ 66/1 with Betfair

I am going to take a bit of a flyer with Getaway Flyer in the 2.17 at Uttoxeter. On rules form he wouldn't have an obvious chance, but it is her pointing form which means she could be well handicapped off a mark of 83. Last year she finished 2nd in a maiden to Premier Magic and I will talk about that horse when I get round to updating my Road To The Cheltenham Foxhunter thread this week which tells you how good that horse is. A week later she won a maiden beating Getaround who is won off 135 at Newcastle recently. She was then off until this February when she won her Restricted over 2m4f, the same trip as her maiden win. She then was well beaten in an Intermediate at Didmarton where it looked like she didn't really stay 3m. Last month she ran in a couple of maiden hurdles and I accept there wasn't a great deal of promise in them, but I suspect she was there to get handicapped. Soft ground is a bit of an unknown but when winning in February the ground was described as holding. The first time tongue-tie catches the eye as well. She clearly is unlikely to be as good as the horse she beat in her maiden, but at the same time her pointing efforts suggest she is much better than an 83 horse. This is a really weak contest as well so at a current top price of 35/1 with 5 places on offer she is worth backing.
Getaway Flyer @ 35/1 with Betfair (5 places)

No it is still carrying on, but my intention back in March was to do it until football returned. I carried on because of the Spring Carnival, but with the hunter chase season just around the corner and the football stuff I just needed a break. At the very least I plan on doing the Aussie jumping action when it returns in March and we do have the good flat stuff around that time as well. It just comes down to time and if I can do it justice. 

No it is still carrying on, but my intention back in March was to do it until football returned. I carried on because of the Spring Carnival, but with the hunter chase season just around the corner and the football stuff I just needed a break. At the very least I plan on doing the Aussie jumping action when it returns in March and we do have the good flat stuff around that time as well. It just comes down to time and if I can do it justice. 

I like the claims of Duhallow Tornado in the 2.30 at Hexham. In his 2 hunter chase wins back in 2018 he looked every bit a stayer and he thrives on heavy ground. At the time of his wins at Catterick and Kelso I thought he had the talent to turn into a regional national horse and he still might. The Catterick win was especially impressive as he beat a good horse in Battle Dust and the 3rd went onto finish 3rd in the Aintree Foxhunter. He went to the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham after those two wins, but he found things happening too quickly for him on the quicker ground and was 4th. He then had to miss a season because of injury and returned this year with a win in a point, before finishing 14th in the Cheltenham Foxhunter which was probably as well as could have been hoped on ground he would have liked to have been softer. He warmed up for today in point at Maisemore when he ran a nice race to finish 3rd behind a possible Foxhunter horse in Wishing And Hoping, who ironically won the same Catterick Hunter Chase last season. Maisemore is a flat track so it wouldn't have been enough of a stamina test for him. I think he will improve for 4m on heavy ground and his jockey takes off 3lbs which doesn't go amiss. He's a big price e/w at 9/1.
Duhallow Tornado e/w @ 9/1 with Bet365

I like the claims of Duhallow Tornado in the 2.30 at Hexham. In his 2 hunter chase wins back in 2018 he looked every bit a stayer and he thrives on heavy ground. At the time of his wins at Catterick and Kelso I thought he had the talent to turn into a regional national horse and he still might. The Catterick win was especially impressive as he beat a good horse in Battle Dust and the 3rd went onto finish 3rd in the Aintree Foxhunter. He went to the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham after those two wins, but he found things happening too quickly for him on the quicker ground and was 4th. He then had to miss a season because of injury and returned this year with a win in a point, before finishing 14th in the Cheltenham Foxhunter which was probably as well as could have been hoped on ground he would have liked to have been softer. He warmed up for today in point at Maisemore when he ran a nice race to finish 3rd behind a possible Foxhunter horse in Wishing And Hoping, who ironically won the same Catterick Hunter Chase last season. Maisemore is a flat track so it wouldn't have been enough of a stamina test for him. I think he will improve for 4m on heavy ground and his jockey takes off 3lbs which doesn't go amiss. He's a big price e/w at 9/1.
Duhallow Tornado e/w @ 9/1 with Bet365