ONE WEEK TO GO!

Faire Part Sivola ran another good race at Doncaster on Friday, especially as it turned into more of a speed test than ideal for a horse that stays further and prefers slower ground.  Prominent throughout, he began to struggle when the pace lifted off the home turn and ended up coming home in 4th.  A solid performance in a race which didn’t necessarily turn out to suit given there were very few hurdles left in due to the low sun.

Unfortunately, Seddon couldn’t build on his Lingfield win when he went to Hereford on Saturday.  The pace of the other two front runners meant he wasn’t able to dominate in the way he did previously.  He’s a horse that ideally needs a clear sight of his hurdles but he stuck to his task nonetheless & galloped through the line.  A stiffer 2 and a half or sharp 3 miles could well suit him better.  He has come out of the race well and will have entries over the Xmas period.

Docpickedme proved a bit disappointing when 5th of seven at Southwell on Sunday.  He jumped left at times and hung in behind the lead horse after looking to enjoy himself up over the first couple of fences.  He is looking like he will prefer to dominate with positive tactics.  So we will aim to bounce him out again next time, let him roll and keep him in his grade.

Torigni opened his chase account in really game style at Leicester on Wednesday under Daryl Jacob.  He didn’t always jump fluently but he responded well when Daryl started to ask him a few questions after three out and he saw his race out well.  That sort of trip on a sound surface looks ideal for him and hopefully that will do his confidence the world of good.

Fitz In could continue his education in a maiden hurdle at Lingfield on Monday or Plumpton on Tuesday, with the latter a slightly stiffer test of stamina, which should suit this former point runner-up.  He is one that should make his mark in handicaps in time.

Sheila Nash has an option to go to Ludlow for a novices’ hurdle on Wednesday, a track which she has run well at in the past.  We clearly didn’t see the best of her at Plumpton but hopefully she can get back on track ahead of a switch to handicaps in the new year.