Two races for us this afternoon, both at Newcastle. The going is soft and frost sheets were deployed throughout the course to counter the overnight drop in temperature. A dry and cold day is forecast. Whilst conditions are still on the testing side – For the first time in a long time, none of today’s meetings are in heavy ground.

2.50 Newcastle Eider Handicap Chase (Class 2)

Wide open handicap as the seventeen declared contest for the £85,000 on offer.

Ballyculla is of great interest, with the stamina test expected to suit. His last appearance was at Bangor in early December over 3 miles in heavy ground. Headed two out, he battled back to win well. Ran above market expectations at the Cheltenham Festival in the amateur chase on the first day. Warren Greatrix’s assessment of Ballyculla: “I think he’s a better horse than last year, he’s much stronger, and he really ought to be very competitive off this sort of mark. He’s got to have a great chance.”

The 8yo Cork Citizen is a vastly experienced Irish pointer who joined David Pipe last December. Returned to form on his latest and only start so far for his new stable. With Tom Scudamore off to Chepstow, the ride goes to David Noonan. His 5lb claim is a positive.

Impossible race to price accurately. I go:

Ballyculla 7/1 fav.
Rocking Blues 10/1
Cork Citizen 10/1
And to emphasise the competitiveness of the race, I have half of the rest between 10/1-14/1.
3.25 Newcastle Betfred Lotto Novices Hurdle (Class 3)

Bun Doran impressed on latest start at Haydock in January over 2m 3f. Made all and eased down for a very comfortable victory. The longer trip here can bring further improvement.
Expected to prove hard to beat. I make him my 6/4 favourite, best current price is 5/4.

The Festival will soon be upon us. Advance bookings are now being taken for the Cheltenham special membership and preview. Along with all the regular contributions, I am pleased to announce that Micky Hammond will also be adding his thoughts. My congratulations to his assistant trainer Gemma Hogg who won the top prize at the 2016 Godolphin Stud and Stable awards ceremony this week.

Your Cheltenham special subscription goes directly to racing charity to support our valuable stable staff. For more details and to book your place, please go to: http://www.slh.co.uk/index.php/cheltenham-special-2016

Three good meetings for us this afternoon from Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton. Channel 4 show races from all three venues. Ascot going is soft, heavy at Haydock and a combination of the two at Wincanton.
Two races to look at this afternoon, both at Ascot. Continued rain forecast this afternoon which will soften the ground even further. Plenty of prize money on offer and a few here will be having their final run before decisions are made regarding Cheltenham participation.

1.50 Ascot Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices´ Chase (Grade 2)

Drumacoo returned after over a year off to win unchallenged at Huntingdon on his first start for Ben Pauling. But that form is difficult to evaluate and could be a vulnerable favourite.

Onenightinvienna is a strong stayer. He had every chance on latest start, but just seemed to hang fire on the run-in. First time cheek-pieces can help.

Vyta Du Roc can improve for the step up in trip.

Minella Roc has been a major disappointment over fences to date, but is worth keeping an eye on regards the future.

My tissue:
Onenightinvienna 3/1
Drumacoo 10/3
Vyta Du Roc 10/3
10/1 bar

3.35 Ascot Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1)

An open affair, with more questions than answers – both Silviniaco Conti and Dynaste having a bit to prove.

Nicky Henderson has two entries here, Ma Filleule and Triolo D’Alene. The latter impressed on his return at Kempton after being away for a year. Expected to go well, although better ground would have been preferable.

My Tissue:
Silviniaco Conti 4/1
Triolo D’Alene 9/2
Dynaste 5/1
Flemenstar 13/2
Royal Regatta 13/2
10/1 bar

Our good run of form continued yesterday with a 7/4 winner and another successful lay of a well touted favourite. That makes it four profitable bets from the four bets only advised this week.
Special festival memberships are now available. For more details about membership and how you will be supporting a very worthwhile racing charity, go to: http://www.slh.co.uk/index.php/cheltenham-festival-2016

Two meetings for us to concentrate on this afternoon from Warwick and Newbury. We are going to look at a race from each course. It is a day when decisions will be made regarding Cheltenham participation. Our two focus races are prime examples.
The going at Warwick will be heavy, soft in places. Thankfully the weather forecast at Newbury has turned a lot kinder than originally predicted and most of the expected rainfall before racing will now be light. Currently soft with heavy areas on the hurdle course.
2.05 Warwick OLBG.com Mares´ Hurdle (Listed Race)

Irish challenger Jennies Jewel sets the standard on recent form having finished a creditable second at Ascot on latest start. The 9y.o. has been extensively campaigned almost exclusively in Ireland. That Ascot run being only her second British start since coming over for the 2014 Cheltenham Festival.

The other Irish challenger is Petite Parisienne from the Willie Mullins yard. Not shown much since winning at the Punchestown Festival last year and was soundly beaten at Sandown on latest start. Hooded for the first time.

All of Jennies Jewel’s opponents can all be given a chance on their best form, but have been disappointing of late. It will pay to watch the market closely. I go 9/4 joint for Jennies Jewel and Jessber’s Dream with Petite Parisienne third in at 9/2.

2.25 Newbury Betfair Denman Chase (Grade 2)

Ballynagour has excellent prospects if running near to his best. Cheltenham Festival winner in 2014 and went down narrowly in a Grade 1 at Aintree last year to a resurgent Silviniaco Conti. Started this season with a third place in the Charlie Hall, just under four lengths behind the current top money earner, Cue Card.

After competing in the Betfair Chase and King George on his latest two starts, this represents a slight drop in class. Pulled up on that King George run and I expect David Pipe has put a lot of work into him for this.

Rocky Creek is the obvious danger and most likely to take advantage if Ballynagour is below form. Won the Betbright Chase around this time last year and then went straight to the National, finishing down the field. Since then he has run three times: A decent second in Ireland and pulled up either side of that run.

There are plenty of positives and negatives to be found with both market leaders. On my revised tissue I have the market leaders as follows:

Rocky Creek 2/1

Ballynagour 5/2

Houblon Des Obeaux 11/2

14/1 Bar

Our good form this winter continues. Yesterday we had a 10/1 winner from my only early bet. Special festival memberships are now available. Call low cost on 0844 871 4023 for full details and get a £25 bonus by subscribing today.

Three races from Sandown to look at this afternoon. All three comprise of small fields and it is a day when value is thin. The ground is expected to be on the soft side of good with a light shower before racing commences.

1.15 Sandown Betfred Racing Contenders Hurdle (Listed Race)

Just four declared and a very difficult race to price with Peace and Co having ‘bombed out’ on his seasonal return; taking his 100% record and an uncomfortable Daryl Jacob with him.
A repeat of the form he showed when winning last season’s Triumph Hurdle would win him this race. But having had their fingers badly burned by his erratic performance last time there may be some tempted to look elsewhere.

Rayvin Black would be the one to benefit if the favourite disappoints. Second on latest start behind The New One. Impressed when winning here again in early January. Steps out handicap class today.
Rayvin Black is a natural front runner. This could prove tactical, depending whether the favourite has put his past exuberance behind him.
1.50 Sandown Betfred Handicap Chase (CLASS 2)

Again difficult to price with Grey Gold having disappointed on latest start. He was reported to be lame. With testing conditions ideal he would have every chance if at the level he showed at Newbury when victorious on his seasonal debut.

Chris Pea Green is of interest. Returning from a break, he is fairly handicapped and goes well in heavy ground. The Gary Moore stable have had a remarkable run of success with their runners at the track this season. 9/2 on my tissue taking into account Mr Mole’s absence.

2.25 Sandown Scilly Isles Novices´ Chase (Grade 1)

Two very progressive horses and I just prefer Bristol De Mai over Tea For Two.
They will be tight at the head of the market, with no great value to be had. I go 6/4 Bristol, 13/8 Tea. We are now down to four with the two non-runners.

Good run of form at present with seven winners from the past nine selective bets. I will be looking to build upon latest profits as we head towards the major festivals. Special memberships are now available. Fuller details at: http://www.slh.co.uk/index.php/cheltenham-festival-2016

A very entertaining day of quality racing. We have a total of six Grade 2 races from Cheltenham and Doncaster. This morning I want to have a look at two of them, both at Cheltenham. The course has passed an earlier inspection and the going is heavy after prolonged overnight rainfall.

1.50 Cheltenham BetBright Trial Chase (Grade 2)

Willie Mullins has just the one runner at Cheltenham today with Djakadam; the £56,000 winner’s purse squarely in his sights. He will be at short odds to carry on the progression most notably shown at Punchestown when comprehensively winning the John Durkan Memorial.

Many Clouds, Smad Place and O’Faolains Boy are all of a similar standard. I make these three 13/2 co-second favourites. Despite the favourite’s overly cramped odds there is an angle into this race.

Eight runners are declared and with three of those hard to fancy, this race has an each way look to it.

In contrast to the market, I just prefer Many Clouds over Smad Place and O’Faolains Boy. The former pair finished first and second in this race last year.

3.35 Cheltenham Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2)

An odd race with four of the seven runners reverting to hurdles from chasing.

Ptit Zig is of interest but there is a doubt about him staying this 2m 7f trip. Unseated his rider two out when looking beaten at long odds-on last time. Similar conditions but 3f shorter.

Camping Ground confounded his more illustrious rivals with a strong display to land the Relkeel hurdle here on new year’s day. Prior to this his chase debut ended after jumping errors when he unseated in the Peterborough. Another for me that has to prove his stamina.

Thistlecrack is progressive as shown in his last two outings when taking the Long Distance and Long Walk hurdles by clear margins. With the doubts concerning the opposition, he deserves to be at short odds. My oods for the front three are:

Thistlecrack 1/1
Camping Ground 5/2
Ptit Zig 8/1

Finally a word for the evergreen Knockara Beau who continued to defy his thirteen years with a gritty performance when runner-up here at the new year meeting. He runs at Cheltenham today for the 21st time, including his 2014 victory in this race.