Hot To Trot: Gosden's year rolls on

Flat trainer: John Gosden

John Gosden has enjoyed another superb season, introducing a potentially top-class colt in the shape of Too Darn Hot, dominating the top races in the three-year-old division with Roaring Lion, and to put the icing on the cake, his star filly Enable defended her crown in the Arc and went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf Churchill Downs.

It doesn’t stop there with Gosden, though, as he continues in form on the all-weather, and isn’t afraid of running an above-average type at this time of year, either. Gosden’s week could potentially start at Southwell on Tuesday, where St Peters Basilica (entered at Newcastle Wednesday, too) and Holy Heart (also entered at Wolverhampton on Wednesday) hold entries. The former could take his chance at Southwell, but given Holy Heart made an encouraging debut at Wolverhampton last year, she may make her belated reappearance back at that track the following day. There is a useful handicap on the same card at Wolverhampton on Wednesday, and Graffiti Master should be competitive. He got off the mark on the all-weather and ran well in a couple of listed events on turf this year; it looks a good opportunity for him.

Jumps trainer: Tom George

Tom George had a great season in 2017/18, largely down to his smart novices Summerville Boy and Black Op. Both managed to win Grade 1s, the former successful in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, while Black Op won the Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. The two are yet to be seen as yet this term, Black Op a late withdrawal earlier this month on account of the ground, but Summerville Boy could make his return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle next Saturday.

Summerville Boy gets up close home to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle @CheltenhamRaces and gains his second Grade One success. #TheFestival

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George has his string in good order and has a couple of interesting runners at Exeter on Sunday in the shape of Valseur du Granval and Fanfan du Seuil. The latter is particularly interesting, yet to be asked for an effort when falling two out on his British debut at Chepstow in October. He was well backed that day, and looks the one to beat in the juvenile hurdle provided he’s none the worse for that. Also on Sunday, Drill Baby Drill seemingly holds solid claims at Uttoxeter, having shaped better than the bare result on her handicap debut at Southwell in May. She is almost certainly up to winning races from this mark and is one to keep on the right side. On Wednesday, point winner Tribesmans Glory could make his Rules debut in a bumper at Hereford. George does well with his bumper runners and he will need a check in the market if taking his chance.

Under the radar: Philip Kirby

Philip Kirby is arguably one of the shrewdest dual-purpose trainers around at the moment, and recent winners Lady Buttons and Wemyss Point have helped him gain his best winners total since 2013, saddling 17 winners in 2018 at the time of writing.

He has some exciting types to go to war with, too, not least the aforementioned Lady Buttons, who holds an entry in a handicap chase at Wetherby on Wednesday. She proved herself a most versatile performer when winning a listed hurdle at the same course on her return earlier this month. Having won two of her three starts over fences, she is more than capable of playing a part if switched back to the larger obstacles. Before then, though, Discay has been declared at Uttoxeter on Sunday. He made a winning return after a 19-month absence at Southwell in September , and perhaps found the race coming too soon when disappointing 18 days later. He remains on a feasible mark and a better run is expected. Asum could prove best of Kirby’s other runners this week, set to run at Musselburgh on Monday.