Hot To Trot: Greatrex is on a roll

Jumps trainer: Warren Greatrex

Warren Greatrex's string made a rather slow start to the season, but the yard have recovered well, and they've started the new year with their runners performing well above average, as the below graph shows. 

Greatrex has several interesting entries over the coming days, including Bob Mahler, who's entered at Kempton on Monday and at Newcastle on Tuesday. A useful hurdler, he left the form of his chasing debut well behind when second at Chepstow last month, deserving credit for his attitude that day as he kept coming back for more, despite being outjumped by the winner at almost every fence. He's a useful prospect provided he brushes up on his jumping, and with Kempton's contest looking particularly warm, Tuesday's race at Newcastle could well be his connections' preference.  

Also entered at Newcastle on Tuesday is Talktomenow, who shaped with promise on his hurdling debut at Plumpton, finishing second despite looking green. He disappointed at Warwick on his next start, but he failed to settle that day, and could be worth another chance considering he gave the impression at Plumpton that he was more than capable of winning a maiden or a novice hurdle at one of the smaller tracks. Over at Lingfield on the same day, Aurello has an entry in the bumper on the card. A close relative to a winner, and a half-sister to 3 winners, including bumper winner Our Matti, Aurello offered a little encouragement when sixth at Bangor on debut earlier in the month, and she's worth a market check on her second outing. 

Minella Examiner has three entries next week, beginning at Fontwell on Sunday. A runner-up of an Irish point back in March, he shaped as if he was in need of the run when fifth on rules debut at Ffos Las in December, looking sure to play a part in the finish into the straight (virtually upsides) but cutting out approaching 2 out. An issue may come to light, but he's worth keeping an eye on, and it would be unsurprising if he's tongue tied next time. Sandhurst Lad was only a fair handicap hurdler, but he has surpassed anything he showed in that sphere in three starts to date over fences, most recently when third at Cheltenham earlier in the month, and he should continue to give a good account over fences. Finally, Jackson Hill holds an entry in a bumper at Wincanton on Thursday. He's shown some promise since switching to the yard two starts back, and considering his hard debut in the mud may have taken the edge off him at Plumpton last time, he's another who could improve yet. 

Flat trainer: John Gosden

John Gosden tends to start the year either particularly poorly or very promisingly indeed, and 2019 is very much in the latter category so far, with his string performing above average in January, as the graph below shows. 

Gosden has three entered in a novice contest at Wolverhampton on Tuesday, in the form on Albert Finney, Royal Family and Vegatina. All three have multiple entries over the next few days, meaning it is diffcult to work out who will be heading where, but the one who's shown the most so far is Albert Finney, who's has four starts to date. He failed to improve on his previous form when fourth at Wolverhampton in December after a short break, but he is better than he was able to show and is worth another chance having been gelded prior to that run. Vegatina was badly in need of the experience on debut at Lingfield last month, but she was an expensive purchase as a yearling and ought to do better at some point down the line. 

Later on in the week, both Anapurna and Murray River have a couple of entries. The latter was below form on his most recent start at Nottingham in November, though the ground didn't seem to suit him that day and he will improve as his stamina is more drawn out. Anapurna was given a considerate introduction at Wolverhampton last month, finishing ninth, but she's bred to be useful (half-sister to several winners, including smart 2-y-o 6f winner Dynasty) and is capable of better in time. Gantier has an entry at Lingfield next Friday, and whilst he has shown enough to suggest he's capable of winning a low level event in his two most recent starts, he hasn't convinced with his attitude and isn't one to trust at a short price. 

Under the radar: Archie Watson

Archie Watson is in just his second year as a trainer, meaning we don't have too much data to compare his form with, but he has consistently caught the eye in his new career so far, and he has been in good form over the past week or so - as the graph below outlines. 

The majority of Watson's entries next week are at Wolverhampton, beginning with Rare, Secret Ace and Peak Princess, who all have entries in races there on Monday. The most interesting of those is Peak Princess, who is due to make her second start for the yard. She disappointed on her debut for Watson having switched from Richard Hughes at Wolverhampton at the beginning of the month, though this is slightly easier than some of the races she has been contesting of late, and she would have leading claims if bringing her best form to the table. Rare took a step back in the right direction when second at Lingfield last time, for all that she ran a strange race that day - in touch down the back but completely losing her position over 2f out (when looking slightly short of room) before running on late. Running off the same mark on Monday, she would have leading claims if able to put everything together. Secret Ace is consistent rather than progressive, but she has placed in each of her last three starts, and there ought to be a race out there for her in the near future. 

Watson has two more entries at Dunstall Park on Tuesday, including It's All A Joke. He's a fine servant for the yard, and returned to form when third at Wolverhampton last week, having been ridden closer to the pace that day. He's on a competitive mark at the moment, and will continue to give a good account for the yard. Finally, Proceed has an entry at Lingfield on Wednesday. She didn't see out the extra two furlongs when tried over a mile and a half at Lingfield on Friday, but she had been running well prior to that, and a drop back to 10 furlongs could well see her return to form.