Hot to Trot: Kerry to carry on good form

Jumps Trainer: Kerry Lee

It’s no secret that Kerry Lee has made a fantastic start to her career as a trainer—she had her first runners after taking over from her father Richard in July 2015—and she’s been in excellent form since the turn of the year, with three winners and a whole host of horses hitting the crossbar. Lee even managed to get another win out of the old boy Alfie Spinner, who returned from 10 months off (had also signed off for 2015/16 with a win) when making all in a staying handicap chase at Wincanton on Thursday as a 12-year-old. Lee looks set for another busy week as she has a number of entries on Tuesday and Wednesday, including another old favourite, Simply Wings, in a handicap chase at Wetherby. Simply Wings will be returning from a break as a 13-year-old, but he showed that he still had plenty to offer as a 12-year-old when finishing second of seven to Stilletto in a handicap chase at Leicester (first-time cheekpieces) when last seen in February. Magic Mustard could be another winner for the stable if running in an amateur riders’ handicap hurdle at Ludlow on Wednesday, as, while has was unable to follow up his 23-furlong handicap success at Bangor in December over the same C&D earlier this month off a 6 lb higher mark, he still showed improved form in fourth. Magic Mustard could have done with a stronger gallop too, so he could return to winning ways granted a more suitable scenario.

Flat Trainer: Ed Dunlop

Ed Dunlop enjoyed a solid 2016, with his return of 51 winners his highest total since 2011, and the manner in which he has started the new year suggests he could be in for another good 12 months. The Dunlop yard, which signed off for 2016 with a win at Newcastle courtesy of Zamjar, has had two winners from 12 runners in 2017, including Magdelene Fox at 9/1. Magdalene Fox couldn’t quite follow up in another handicap at Wolverhampton 11 days later, but he did too much too soon (went 1.01 in-running on Betfair) before being caught by Cappananty Con, with the pair three lengths clear of the third. Magdalene Fox could drop to five furlongs at Newcastle on Wednesday. Ode To Paris is worth another chance after racing too freely switched to front-running tactics last time and could also run at Newcastle, while Marwa is pencilled in to makeher handicap debut at Lingfield on the same day. Marwa produced her best effort to date when fifth of nine to Dubai Art in a maiden there last time, and the third Blaze of Glory and fourth Revel from that race have won since. She will be stepping up to a mile but is likely to stay that trip as a half-sister to smart US Grade 2 nine-furlong winners Sir Cherokee and Miss Isella.

Under the Radar: Jennie Candlish

The Jennie Candlish yard may have indeed gone under the radar in terms of its form as only one of its last 25 or so runners finished in front, namely the 15/8 favourite Bryden Boy at Ayr last Monday, but it’s had a clutch of other horses run well and could be about to really fire. The stable’s Timeforfirth hasn’t shown much in four hurdle races so far but she holds two handicap entries over the next few days and could be worth a second look; she was runner-up in an Irish mares maiden point and filled the same spot in a bumper on her Rules debut in February 2015 so is clearly not without ability. Fearless Tunes and Sleepy Haven are others from the yard who should continue in good form, while it could be worth keeping an eye out for Tommy The Rascal whogot back on the up over fences when second to the well-handicapped Bally Lagan in a handicap at Leicester last time and is open to further improvement as a chaser, especially when returned to three miles and beyond (has won over 25 furlongs).