StableTalk: This ground should be perfect for him. I think he’ll go well

1.55 Sandown – Willow’s Saviour
This is the horse that gave us our first big race win in the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot two years ago. He jumped well at Warwick on the whole. He has definitely improved for that run. I have a lot of respect for the opposition. It’s a good race isn’t it? I think he’s better off in this kind of race than giving away weight in a lower grade. We have to give Bristol De Mai weight which will probably be the hardest task but at the end of the day he’s a high class horse and we’re delighted he’s able to compete in this kind of race. All the horses are rated around the same kind of 140+ mark so we’ll need to win or go close in this to keep going on the upward curve towards the Festivals.

2.25 Sandown – Savello
I think he’ll go well. I’ve gone for this race instead of the Tingle Creek because of the ground and the opposition he’ll face. It’s as simple as that. The ground swung it because it’s going to be soft on the hurdles track which he will like. He runs in this getting weight off a few horses rather than in the Tingle Creek off level weights against good class horses. So it makes sense to run in this. I’m very happy with how he’s run for us so far and always planned to campaign him over both fences and hurdles, as his hurdles mark is 18lb lower than his chase mark. I learned a lot about him from his first run at Cheltenham particularly that he just wants softer ground. This ground should be perfect for him. I’m hopeful of a good run.

12.50 Huntingdon – Bon Chic
This race has broken up a bit, there are only four runners. We were happy with the way she ran at Ascot. She’s got to have a good chance based on that run. She wouldn’t want the ground horrendously soft. I always felt she wanted better ground but it was softish last time so perhaps as she’s getting older she’s getting stronger. Other than that I don’t think there’s any negatives really. She’ll like Huntingdon. Kalane is a very good mare but she fell last time which wouldn’t be the ideal prep for going over fences.

2.00 Huntingdon – Al Ferof
I’m very happy with him. His preparation has gone smoothly. He had a gallop around Warwick. There have been no hold ups. He’s got a 10lb penalty but then so have Ptit Zig and Wishful Thinking. Petite Rose getting all the weight and coming off the back of a career best last time is probably as threatening as any of them. Other than the fact he will improve for the run, as they always improve for the run, I’m not going there screaming and shouting that he’s going to need it. He’s got a great record fresh and what will be, will be. He’s in the King George but first things first, let’s get through Sunday.

All the best

Dan