Our star columnist guides us through his runners across Saturday's meetings - with a big team heading to Chester.
Ballesteros is our first runner at Chester on Saturday in the the MBNAteam Handicap. He likes the track but is drawn wider than I'd like in eight, a stall we’ve landed a few times on the card. He's in good form and ran well there the last day but he'll need luck from out there.
It's the same draw for Simmy’s Copshop in the 32Red Casino Nursery which is a shame as I thought this was an ideal race for him when I entered. Again he’ll need things to fall right but he’s returning to five furlongs which will suit – his best form is at that trip.
I’d hope Dan Troop runs a big race in the 32Red.com Handicap. He’s fared well with the draw, is in good form, likes the track and the ground isn’t an issue.
Gabrial The Tiger is out in ten in the same race. He runs there on the Friday and we’ll see how he comes out of that but he does like this place.
We’re double-handed in the Innospec / EBF Stallions Novice Stakes.
Picture No Sound is capable of winning a race like this but was a little disappointing at Carlisle last time. He’s out in 11 which is a problem but is a nice colt
So is debutant Gabrial The Saint. I’d be a little surprised if he was capable of winning around here from stall nine on his first start but he’ll pick up a maiden at some stage.
Energia Fox was in good form earlier in the season but lost her way a little. She needs to bounce back but she does go well here which is in her favour in the Ideal Recruit Handicap.
We're stepping Gabrial's Kaka up to ten furlongs here which probably isn’t a bad idea. He's another posted wider than I'd like but we'd drop him in anyway. I hope they go quick up front and he's picking them up late.
Gabrial’s King didn’t get cover last time when stuck out wide and you can draw a line through that run. If things go right for him he’ll run well in the closing Christmas Parties With Horseradish Catering Handicap.
Gabrial’s Star is getting himself well handicapped. He needs them to go a good gallop here but if they do he’ll run a big race.
It’s a watching brief with Eastern Impact in the William Hill Portland Handicap at Doncaster. He’s been disappointing recently but still seems to be in great form at home.
