FESTIVE SPIRITS

Fitz In couldn’t get competitive in a novices’ hurdle at Uttoxeter on Tuesday, finishing tenth of 11 at very big odds.  Having raced in midfield, he started to feel the heat around halfway when they quickened up in a slowly run race. He’s a young horse who won’t be seen to best effect until he tackles staying trips and fences.  It looks like we’ll be kicking off life in handicaps off a basement mark, which we should be able to capitalise on.

Unfortunately, Torigni wasn't able get beyond the second fence in a decent little novices’ handicap chase at Kelso on Sunday.  He seemed to get in a bit close to the obstacle and was unable to sort his landing gear out on the other side - a very unfortunate blunder in what might have been a nice little opportunity for him.  He is absolutely fine, has travelled home safe and sound, and we will look for a similar race with him soon.

Faire Part Sivola will head to Doncaster this afternoon where the conditions of the class 3 handicap hurdle look ideal for him.  He has come out of his Ffos Las race well and the more rain they get up there the more conditions will be in his favour.  James Bowen hasn’t ridden the horse before but he’s a classy young rider.

Seddon has been declared to run at Hereford tomorrow afternoon in the class 2 handicap hurdle over 2 miles.  He has been raised 5lb for his authoritative Lingfield success so this is going to be a notch tougher.  He’s in great form at home since and he’ll have his conditions.  We know he is fine going right-handed because he’s run really well around Ascot.

Docpickedme could head to Southwell on Sunday where the two-mile, four-and-a-half furlong handicap chase might suit him.  He’s been dropped a couple of pounds by the handicapper despite posting what we thought was an encouraging chasing debut at Chepstow and we think the drop back in trip might help at this stage.

We are looking to get Transfer Friendly qualified for the EBF Final at Sandown, and he currently has 2 options in qualifiers coming up to secure his place - Southwell on Sunday or Newbury on Wednesday.  After his recent victory at Ffos Las, he’s been awarded an opening mark of 126 which should mean he’s able to be competitive in a race like this, but there is no doubt that we could bump into some above average rivals.

Sheila Nash holds entries at Exeter, Uttoxeter and Ludlow in the coming weeks as we try to get her hurdling career back on track after a disappointing outing at Plumpton last month.  We should get a mark for her after this, which will open up our options.

Poldark Cross could return to action at Ffos Las on Thursday after being given some time off since his disappointing seasonal return in October.  He’s since been given some treatment for ulcers which came to light after the run and is now going well at home.  He should be up to winning handicap chases off his current mark.