A rewarding week that began with a treble at Exeter ended with Pic d’Orhy landing the Grade 2 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday for the second year running.

On the same afternoon Blueking D’Oroux was a close second in the Grade 2 Howden Ascot Hurdle while Bravemansgame defied very soft ground at Haydock that he doesn’t favour to finish a highly creditable third in the Betfair Chase.
Others to run well include Tahmuras who will come on plenty for his seasonal return at Haydock where I was also pleased with the way Take Your Time kept on to finish third and will prob head to Wincanton boxing day.
Pic d’Orhy was magical at Ascot, travelling comfortably in the lead, jumping smartly and finding plenty in the closing stages. He heads next for the valuable Fleur de Lys Chase at Windsor on January 19.
I was proud of Bravemansgame who showed he now stays by keeping on well in the last half mile wearing blinkers for the first time. He could be a lively candidate for the Grand National on decent spring ground. We have five weeks before sending him to Kempton for the King George and then he might have one more run possibly in the Denman Chase at Newbury before having a crack at Aintree.
The best is yet to come from Blueking D’Oroux who stayed on strongly, was giving weight to the winner Lucky Place and will return to Ascot for the Long Walk Hurdle in a month’s time.
Monday was a notable day for our talented conditional Freddie Gingell who rode all three of our winners at Exeter. Still only 18 he is improving all the time as he gains experience and has a bright future and is riding very well.
On Friday two of our nicer young horses The Bluesman and Sinnatra were successful at Chepstow in the colours of Neil and Alfie Smith.
Sinnatra is a gorgeous type, very much in the Regent’s Stroll mould, both in pedigree, size and stamp.
After a slightly slower start than usual to the main season we are hitting our stride now with 41 winners already and we have loads of interesting horses to run in the week ahead. We will be sending a strong team to Taunton on Thursday before a big weekend at Newbury with Regent’s Stroll set to make his debut over hurdles on Friday with Kalif de Berlais likely to run in the novice handicap chase. I will be choosing between Caldwell Potter or Captain Teague in the John Francome Chase on Friday with Kandoo Kid on course for the Coral Gold Cup a day later.
For all the latest news on my runners on both days please be sure to check out my Betfair column which goes live the previous morning.