A very poor day in terms of results at face value yesterday, a couple had legitimate reasons we think for running so poorly, one PU after a jumping error and another hampered and lost momentum and also PU but not the kind of day we like in a spell where very very little seems to be clicking.

 

Every day though is a new opportunity to kick-start some good form and the obvious highlights today are The Imperial Cup and a good Novice Handicap Final at Sandown Park. There are a few interesting angles in both, not in the least the impressive progress that Ben Pauling is making in to the elite TRainer ranks in the past couple of seasons and he is one of those emerging UK Trainers to keep a very close eye on in the coming week. The likes of Henderson, Nicholls , Jonjo and the increasingly upwards Skelton yards will always bear close examination at this time of year, but not far behind with the right ammunition you have to likes of Pauling, Snowdon, Honeyball and if conditions turn firmer the likes of Mulholland and guys like Alan King can never be discounted. The same applies in Ireland with Mullins and Elliott, but De Bromhead peaks his handicappers at just the right time and then you have a handful of other very capable Trainers to note. More on all of that tomorrow and in the coming week.

 

There are also decent races at Ayr, Hereford and Gowran Park, so a couple of "pointers" at a race each from those venues.