The leading trainer previews his one ride of the weekend and reveals who he thinks are the horses to watch in the Welsh Grand National.
It’s a short blog from me this week as I only have the one runner this weekend and I’m also away on holiday in Norway!
With so many abandonments due to the bad weather, it was the ideal opportunity to nip away for a few days after New Year.
The chance to get away from all that rain was just too tempting.
My team have been ticking over at home with the majority waiting for ground conditions to improve a little.
I’ve got plenty of entries next week, so hopefully the weather will get better and the rain will finally stop.
Overtown back in action at Sandown
Overtown Express {ODDS:226096430:SP} is a horse who certainly won’t mind the conditions, and he takes his chance in the two-mile handicap chase (1.50pm) at Sandown.
He won nicely in handicap company at Newbury on his reappearance and then fell at Exeter when the straight two-horse match-up didn’t suit.
I’m thrilled that both he and Noel were none the worse for that spill and hopefully he will be seen in a better light getting a lead, as that’s what he needs.
He will have to step up again from his Newbury effort as the handicapper has bumped him up 9lbs, so this certainly won’t be an easy assignment.
The obvious danger looks to be Gino Trail who is another at home in these conditions, and arrives in great form as he looks to land the hat-trick.
Welsh National won’t be a great watch
I’m afraid to say that the Welsh Grand National (2.05pm) at Chepstow won’t be a great spectacle and will be a case of last man standing.
The course are apparently hopeful of at least staging the race, but the fact that there is a doubt tells you how bad the ground will be.
It sounds obvious, but those with heavy-ground form over marathon distances look to be the ones to concentrate on, with the likes of Mysteree {ODDS:226077248:7/1} and Milansbar {ODDS:226077256:14/1} likely contenders.
I’ll be back next week with a lot more to tell you.
In the meantime, it’s goodbye from Norway.
