Hot To Trot: McCain in golden form

Jumps trainer: Donald McCain

Fresh from saddling a treble at Bangor on Saturday, Donald McCain has plenty of options over the next few days and, as the graph below demonstrates, McCain does well when the ground is riding soft/heavy, another reason why his runners should be kept on side at the moment.

Pinch of Ginger and Tailor Tom won at Bangor on Thursday (Pinch of Ginger awarded the race in the stewards’ room) and they both hold entries at Newcastle on Sunday; Tailor Tom also has the option of Hereford and Doncaster on Monday and Tuesday respectively. It was Tailor Tom’s handicap debut at Bangor, and he isn’t yet the finished article, so is likely to progress further, while the same can be said for Pinch of Ginger, who won on just his second start over fences. Both should give a good account if taking their chance. Swashbuckle – a useful performer on the Flat – made an encouraging hurdling debut and also holds an entry at Newcastle. He seems sure to improve, but will likely be seen to better effect once his stamina is stretched out. There is an interesting maiden hurdle at Doncaster on Tuesday, where both Knockrobin and Ofcourseiwill could take their chance. The former shaped well on his hurdling debut and is up to winning a race of this nature, whereas Ofcourseiwill won his sole start in points and showed plenty in a bumper on his Rules debut last month. The step up to two and a half miles will suit the latter on pedigree, as will the switch to jumping.

Flat trainer: John Gosden

It’s no secret that John Gosden does well with his runners at this time of year, largely down to the number of quality horses he has at his disposal, and as previous seasons have shown, he isn’t afraid to unleash a potential superstar on the all-weather; Jack Hobbs and Enable two recent examples. The table below of Gosden’s course statistics over the last five season further strengthens this fact.

It’s a relatively quiet week as far as the Flat is concerned, but Wilfred Owen has entries at Wolverhampton (Monday) and Lingfield (Wednesday). He clearly isn’t going to live up to his pedigree, but he did show his first form on handicap debut last time, and should be up to winning a low-grade contest; the maiden handicap at Lingfield seems the weaker race. Also at Lingfield, Middle Creek and Sophie Gray could take their chance in the mile and a quarter maiden. Both have shown something to work on, and are bred to appreciate this longer trip, so have plenty to recommend them. Finally, Briscola and Orchid Lily are entered in the mile novice race at Kempton on Wednesday. Both have only shown fair form at best so far, but it remains early days, so further progress isn’t out of the question.

Under the radar: Tom Lacey

At the time of writing, Tom Lacey has already saddled 20 winners this season, which is just one winner behind his total for 2016/17, so he’s already well on track to recording his best season yet as a trainer. Six winners in December alone have obviously had a big impact on that figure, and with multiple entries in the next few days, his runners are worth highlighting.

Vado Forte cost €78,000 as a three-year-old, and was well backed for a bumper on debut (looks the part), so clearly connections think he has ability. Therefore, it’s perhaps disappointing he’s yet to win a race, but he showed his best form yet when finishing second on his handicap hurdle debut at Southwell in November. He holds an entry in the two and a half mile handicap at Hereford on Monday, and is bred to appreciate the longer trip, so needs noting. The Last of Them could take his chance in what could turn out an above-average novice hurdle at Doncaster on Tuesday, but he looks more one for handicaps down the line, while Sir Egbert and Triopas are entered at Ludlow on Wednesday. The latter is in the form of his life, winning four of his last five starts – including his last three – and this likable, progressive type should continue to give a good account.