We have to start with a hats off to The Greatest Trainer Paul Nicholls, a stupendous Training performance with Kandoo Kid, upped in trip on seasonal debut to win the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury yesterday. The "Sir Alex Ferguson" of Horse Racing has re-invented his String to win Trainers Titles before, more than once, indeed several times, and certainly don't write him off doing the same again. The odds are stacked against him simply because of the huge prize money on off at Cheltenham which completely distorts the picture, but PFN looks like he could again be the man to follow on a Saturday in the coming months!

 

The very late run from fast finishing VITTORINO suggests it should be back next time, perhaps in The Welsh National provided it's not bottomless ground and also suggests that it, like the other selections in the race, should not be discounted lightly as they simply got ran off their feet in the early stages on the Good ground. A similar scenario at Newcastle for the selections there and this time Ventetia Williams did strike with a brave run from Frero Bamboo who we had discounted too lightly in hindsight.

 

If Sean can't win races he can often pack the places and enhanced places; and in that context the 3rd / 4th / 5th places for Tonaghneave Well, Harsh and Krabat will I hope be seen as a positive and not a negative.

 

There is a decent Card at Fairyhouse again today and we will attack the Porterstown Handicap Chase, a race we have done very well in over the seasons and one that can throw up some big priced winners and placed horses. There are a couple of Handicap Chases to attack at Carlisle on very welcome soft ground and with some rain about, and Robin has a "nap of the day" from the Leicester Card that he is very keen on.