Hot To Trot: Simcock coming to the boil

Flat trainer: David Simcock

David Simcock isn’t having many winners at present, but his horses are running well, and he could just be coming to the boil after a slower start to the year than has often been the case, as the graph below illustrates.

Simcock is often a trainer to follow on the all-weather, particularly at Chelmsford, where he has operated at a 20% strike rate over the past five years. Wolverhampton has also been a favourable hunting ground for him in recent years, too, and he could have a couple of runners there on Monday in the shape of Oasis Fantasy and Revamp. The former is a useful performer who ended a losing run stretching back nearly two years when winning at Lingfield when last seen in September and, for all he isn’t the easiest of rides, a subsequent 2 lb rise in the weights leaves him well treated if ready to go after a break. Revamp in an interesting newcomer who cost 60,000 guineas at the breeze-ups last year who could make his debut in the novice event over the extended 9f. Connections have had success with similar types on the all-weather in the past and he will need monitoring in the market. Simcock’s best chance of the week, though, may come at Kempton on Wednesday where the exciting Spanish Mission could make his third start.  He improved as expected from his debut run to get off the mark at Chelmsford in November, stretching away from his rivals in the closing stages in the style of one who is ready for a higher grade, and he looks one to keep on side moving forward.

Jumps trainer: Tom George

Tom George is well on course to beating his number of wins last season, needing just six more winners (at the time of writing) to surpass that total of 46 and, given the form the stable is in, that will likely happen sooner rather than later.

George could kick start his week at Southwell on Monday where he has three entries. The pick of those could be Buck’s Bins, who was disappointing when well backed for a bumper on Rules debut in January but showed more of what he is about when finishing runner-up to an odds-on favourite on his hurdling debut at Ludlow last time. He travelled well throughout the race and although he was no match for the easy winner, there should be more to come from this point winner and he looks up to winning races in this sphere. Another promising novice Stop The World has a couple of entries at Exeter and Newcastle on Wednesday. He finished third on his second start over hurdles at Ludlow last time in a race that is working out well, with the second and fourth both winning their next starts. There should be even more to come from him and he will be of interest wherever he turns up. Song Saa could also run at Newcastle the same day. He took advantage of a falling mark to resume winning ways at Kempton in January and ran creditably back at 3m last time over a trip that stretches him. Song Saa remains with handicapping scope and should continue to give a good account.

Under the radar: Neil King

Neil King is enjoying his best season in terms of winners since 2015/16 when he saddled 34 and, having already been in the winners enclosure 31 times this term, he is more than likely to top that total. As the graph below shows, King isn’t usually in this sort of form at this time of the year so his runners in the next few weeks are well worth following.

King has two runners declared at Huntingdon on Sunday in the shape of Little Millie and Holbrook Park. The consistent Little Millie may prove best of the pair in what looks a moderate race of its type. Of more interest, however, would be Canyon City if taking his chance at Fakenham on Monday. He has proved most progressive over hurdles this season, winning twice, and bounced right back to form – after finding the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton too hot – when finishing third over the same C&D last time. King’s best chance at Exeter on Tuesday could be Myplaceatmidnight, who got off the mark over hurdles at Wincanton in January and improved again in defeat over the same C&D last time. He should remain competitive having been raised only 1 lb in the weights.