Hot To Trot: Mackie no small Fry

Flat Trainer - John Mackie

John Mackie has his small string of horses in good form – both on the Flat and over jumps – and followers of the stable were rewarded when the well-backed Fire Jet won comfortably at Nottingham last weekend. He moved into contention in eye-catching fashion and asserted to score with a bit in hand; he should continue to give a good account. Mackie has a handful of entries on Monday, including Barton Knoll, a recent runner-up at Carlisle, who looks capable of going one place better. On the Flat, Bridal March has entries at Redcar and Carlisle and she ran well when a half-length fourth at Wolverhampton earlier this month on her first start since leaving Mark Johnston. Saint Thomas shaped as if better for the run after six months off at Wolverhampton last month and the 10-year-old has his sights lowered in a Leicester seller on Monday.

Jumps Trainer - Harry Fry

There isn’t a hotter trainer around at present than Harry Fry, with each of his last five runners winning. The sequence has included victories for three five-year-olds, namely Black Mischief, Steel Bob and Old Harry Rocks, indicating that the future is very bright at Fry’s Dorset base. All three look horses to follow, however Black Mischief looks the one with most potential. He would be 2/2 over hurdles but for falling at the last on his hurdling debut at Wincanton and, as the first foal of a dam who stayed well, he should improve further when stepped up in trip. Fry sends Voix d’Eau to Market Rasen on Sunday, however the seven-year-old needs to bounce back to form having pulled up at Cheltenham (a race he’d won 12 months earlier) last month. The handicapper has dropped him for that run though and he’s now 2 lb lower than for his last win. Secret Door looks to have a strong chance in a competitive handicap, the mare having won her last two starts (the most recent in first-time cheekpieces). She's never run over as far as this trip but shapes as though she'll stay at least 2½m.

Under the Radar - James Eustace

James Eustace has endured a slightly frustrating fortnight, with his horses running well (three of last eight runners placed) without winning. Sandy Cove is a fair performer on the Flat and he looked in need of the experience when well held on his recent hurdling debut at Kempton. He may not flourish over hurdles until sent handicapping/stepped up in trip but better is expected at Market Rasen on Sunday regardless. Glendun improved on his first outing since leaving Brian Meehan after six months off when a neck second at Yarmouth last month and he has an entry at Leicester on Monday. He didn't get home when tried over 1m last year but he looks ready for another crack at that trip now and is one to be interested in again. The maiden Poppy Time shaped as if still in good form at Yarmouth last time, her early eagerness just leaving her short for the finish, and she has a chance in a similar race at Windsor on Monday.