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Cold Henry (above) and Loddon both head Pontefract on Monday.

Henry has been a model of consistency this season, without getting his head in front but should the ground remain on the easier side, then I would expect that to change.

Loddon has a bit more to do than her good second at Beverley last month. The drop back 2f in trip and the faster ground certainly don't do her any favours, as does the size of the field. 

That being said, she is well and ready for another go and you don't win anything stood in the field.

Reflecting on last weeks busy few days. Mr Zippi landed another moderate bumper at Market Rasen, however it wasn’t his fault the opposition were nothing special and remains the most exciting horse we have come across. Cold Henry is just the perfect racehorse. Genuine, stays, acts on just about anything and from turf to AW and has the perfect attitude. His second at Pontefract was another climb up the handicapping ladder while Oh So Chic was not at her best at Redcar and the fast ground is probably the culprit. 

On Friday we take Demi Sang to Cartmel for his first start since rejoining the yard. He has been back in work for a while and shouldn't lack for fitness, although of course he has had his issues but should run well. On Sunday Bentham steps back to the minimum trip at Uttoxeter. He has been a little disappointing but he goes nicely at home and he is probably the fittest he has been since he came from Ireland. Earlier on the card Indian Sunbird (above) has his third start over hurdles. He isn’t the easiest to predict as he can be headstrong, but after Sunday will get a rating, so we can go handicapping with a winning chance.

There is a very busy week ahead with half of the team running, ground permitting.

Tomorrow Gold Arch goes to Wolverhampton and steps back up in trip, which should help him. On Tuesday the mare Suntory Star has her first start for the yard at Beverley. She has been absent for a long while and hopefully she will have a nice introduction back into racing again. We have two in at Market Rasen on Friday, Accompanied and Mr Zippi. The former is a horse that has proved extremely frustrating. He is difficult to get fit as he is lazy and just wants to eat all of the time and is not the quickest. That being said, he is running over nearly 3m so doesn’t need to be too speedy. His travelling companion is a bit special. Mr Zippi had been working like a smart horse prior to his debut success at Southwell a month ago and although it was a weak bumper, he won like he had plenty left. His work isn’t any the less good and he will try and carry his penalty the victory again and then have the remainder of the summer in the field. He is big and unfurnished, so needs to develop before we see the best of him. Oh So Chic will go to Redcar on Saturday and she seems in great form following her back to form effort the other day at Catterick, while Cold Henry could go for a valuable staying handicap at Pontefract a week today. The rain would need to come for him to take his chance but he has returned this season better than ever.

Tomorrow Oh So Chic (left) gets to enounter some fast ground for the first time since she joined us, and hopefully that could spark her back into the form she showed for her previous trainer last season. She is a slight mare and after a couple of modest efforts this term, she has dropped a few pounds in the ratings and could be a lively outsider. Stablemate and fellow stayer Cold Henry (right) has got an entry for Southwell on Tuesday. We believe he really wants some cut underfoot and there just isn't any around at the moment. As he is ready to go, the safest surface is going to be the Tapeta, and that's the only reason for him switching to the AW. He is fit and well but it would be better had he got some genuine slow ground. A good run would open up new doors for him throughout the summer and if not, then he will be saved for the autumn.

The race may have lacked quality but Mr Zippi could not have won any easier the other evening at Southwell and has come out of the race in great shape. Not sure what the next move will be, either another bumper or a run on the level, however he will be having a summer out at grass to mature and strengthen before too long. Great prospect.

We take two to Southwell this evening, with both making their yard debut. Mr Zippi (above) goes in the bumper and on his homework he should go well. He has a classy flat pedigree but also the size to jump hurdles eventually. Growing has been his problem, as he has just been too weak to race up until today and will derive plenty for the race. Big run expected however.  Later the Racing Knights' Bentham runs in the 2m4f handicap hurdle. The ex-Irish gelding is such a lovely well mannered horse and is big enough to carry his huge weight. 'Ben' is another that will come on for the run but goes well in the morning's.

It's been a while since Cold Henry last raced for the yard but he is back at his beloved Catterick tomorrow. His wins at the course last season were pretty similar, coming from off the pace and showing loads of guts to score narrowly each time. The drying ground might not be totally in his favour but he has to start off again and this looks a suitable opportunity. 'Henry' isn't the biggest but what he lacks for in size he makes up for in strength and he has filled out since he last raced. He seems pretty fit for his first start in over 200 days but without stating the obvious he will lack the sharpness of his rivals. You can only do your best and that's something this guy is good at.

Today Oh So Chic (above) was declared to run at Redcar on Easter Monday. I have to be honest and say that the track isn’t a particular favourite of the yard. We took Bolder Bob there in 2020 and he got loose on the way to post, and was subsequently withdrawn while Calculus ran twice at the course and failed to beat a rival on each occasion. So the decision to take a mare having her first start for the yard and for her new owners was not an easy choice to make. That being said Bolder Bob had a history of being a monkey, and Calculus had a history of finishing last! Anyhow ‘Chic’ is a beautiful mare and hasn’t a history of doing anything naughty on the way to the start and usually has more behind than in front of her. Finger’s crossed she makes her owners day worthwile. 

A busy week ahead with Moro Rock declared to run in his second bumper on Wednesday. The six-year-old goes to Market Rasen and hopefully will have learned enough from Doncaster, to run well again.  

King Athelstan has been freshened up and will go back to Southwell on Friday, with yard debutant Gold Arch. ‘Stan’ is a stable favourite and has already had a good season and runs in the 4.50 while ‘Archie’ is something of an unknown, and it will be learning curve more than anything else with him.  

The gelding, who has entries over 12f and 14f, is now in his fourth yard despite only having raced 20 times previously and was last seen in September 2021. His homework leads you to believe he saves his best for the track.  

We go back to our roots on Sunday and are looking forward to our first point-to-point runner for several years. Accompanied (above), who has undergone a wind operation since his last run on the flat nearly two years ago, has been entered in the older horse maiden at Sheriff Hutton.  

He has schooled nicely and should go well, but is running in this grade as he isn’t the quickest thing on four legs. Aiden Blakemore rides.

King Athelstan (above) and Rogan’s Fancy both contest the same race again, at Wolverhampton tomorrow. The pair were first and eighth at Southwell just over a week ago and the former has to concede a 4lb penalty this time. ‘Stan’ has been a superstar for us this AW season and could follow up but it wont be easy, however there is no reason to think his busy schedule is catching up with him. His stable-mate will wear blinkers for the first time and may try and take advantage of his low draw. Both are doing their best as always, and hopefully they can make the long journey down country pay.

King Athelstan was finally rewarded with a belated first win of the AW season today at Southwell. He was given a lovely ride by Jo Mason, producing him to lead at the furlong marker and the old boy stuck his neck out for a length victory. Like most horses of his age, he has had his problems but he is standing his racing tremendously well, and may go to Wolverhampton a week on Friday for a similar race.

Moro Rock will make his racecourse debut at Doncaster on Wednesday. The 6yo has been given plenty of time to mature since he first arrived in what seems an eternity ago. Like most horses short on experience, he will tackle a National Hunt Flat Race. 

Accompanied (above) is getting closer to his jumps debut and schooled over the proper hurdles at Langton Wold on Saturday. He will tackle some fences in his next schooling session, before going  for a point-to-point maiden race sometime in March