Hot To Trot: Richards is one to follow

Jumps trainer: Nicky Richards

There is no National Hunt trainer in better form at present than Nicky Richards – on Timeform’s scale – and he has some interesting runners this coming week. He is set to take a strong team to Ayr on Sunday, but his best chance could come in the shape of Reivers Lad, who will contest the two-mile novices’ chase. He made light of a 20-month absence to make a winning start over fences last month and he looks a potentially smart recruit to fences, sure to stay further than two miles when the time comes, too. Glinger Flame is another interesting runner in the first race, beaten just a neck on hurdling debut over Sunday’s C&D earlier this month, and he seems sure to improve for that experience. Richards has several entries at Kelso on Tuesday, too, with Peters Cousin perhaps the most interesting of them. She got off the mark over hurdles at that course last month, still looking rough around the edges and, a good type physically, she will go on improving. Looking further ahead, Guitar Pete looks set to take his chance in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster. It will be his first start at three miles since his time in Ireland, and has the form to figure from his current mark.

Flat trainer: Jamie Osborne

At the time of writing, Jamie Osborne’s horses are operating at an 89.3% run to form ratio this year, which is pretty high, and he has already saddled five winners this year from 14 runners (36% strike rate). Therefore, his runners are well worth keeping on side this week. Osborne has several entries at Wolverhampton on Monday, and Brains could prove one of his better chances. He was gambled on, and made a winning handicap debut in first-time blinkers at Kempton this month, rallying to lead close home after being headed in the final furlong. He could win again granted the headgear has the same positive effect. Hen could make her debut at either Wolverhampton or Kempton this week. A €35,000 yearling, she makes appeal on pedigree, and it will be interesting how she fares in the market. Skydiving could be one of his more interesting runners this week, though, having made the switch from Eve Johnson Houghton. He remains a maiden, but is just the type new connections have had success with in the past, and he is another who should be monitored in the market if taking his chance at Kempton on Wednesday.

Under the radar: Sam England

Sam England has done remarkably well since taking over her father’s small string of horses, saddling 37 winners (at the time of writing) since the 2015/16 season. She has already had 10 winners this season, and is on course to break her record of 12 winners which she achieved in 2016/17. England currently has four entries for next week, the first of those being King’s Coinage and Piccalilli who could both run in the second race at Sedgefield on Monday.  Both will have to show much improved form to figure, however, and look the types to go on to better things once entering handicaps. Her best chance of the week will almost certainly be Choochoobugaloo, who landed some nice bets when winning a handicap at Kelso this month by 10 lengths. She proved herself well ahead of her mark that day, and it would be no surprise were she to follow up if lining up on Wednesday.