Hot To Trot: Thrill Bill

Flat Trainer: William Haggas (Click on name to view full list of entries)

William Haggas is enjoying a fine season, though one stat which stands out above the rest is his record this term with middle distance performers, as the graph below shows, for which his run to form ratio is significantly above average.

Haggas has several entries over the coming days which fit into such a category, starting with Jurran and Yajooll, who are both entered in a novice contest over a mile at Ripon on Monday. It is the former who is the more interesting of the two, having showed the benefit of experience when finishing second at Redcar last time, only caught on the line. He heads north again, and a race of this nature looks well within his grasp. Yajooll disappointed slightly when a well-backed favourite at Pontefract last time, but that was his first run back after a 281-day break, and he should be capable of better yet.

Nomoathaj is one of two entries for Haggas in a novice race at Chelmsford the following day, and she is open to improvement having shaped with some encouragement when fourth on debut at Kempton 10 days ago. Field Gun was a six figure breeze-up purchase, and he produced a promising first effort at Doncaster, keeping on gradually from off the pace to finish second. He has an entry over an extended five furlongs at Chelmsford on Monday, but would be of more interest if taking up his engagement over seven furlongs at Kempton on Wednesday. Croque Monsieur also holds an entry on the card, and will be of interest if taking his chance, having opened his account in ready fashion at Chelmsford two weeks ago.  

Jumps Trainer: Gordon Elliott

It seems that trips to Carlisle and Perth haven’t been glamorous enough for the Gordon Elliott team this summer, as they took their globe-trotting exploits to a new level last week when having two runners on a lucrative card at Saratoga. Neither won, but the yard has been in good form closer to home, with 41 winners in the UK and Ireland already this season.

A hot summer hasn’t had an adverse effect on Elliott’s string, which have been performing a considerable amount above average on faster ground, as the graph below shows.

As you would expect for one of the most powerful stables in Ireland, Elliott has plenty of entries over the coming days, including 15 at Downpartick on Bank Holiday Monday at the time of writing. One of the most interesting is Present In Court, who shaped with promise when second on his hurdling debut over C&D 13 days ago, and looks to have been found a good opportunity to open his account at the second time of asking. De Plotting Shed has become expensive to follow, but he is the most interesting of Elliott’s four entries in the beginners chase on the card, and he should win if fully applying himself to the job – though he has failed to convince on more than one occasion. Both Mill Quest and Cubomania are on upward curves at the moment, and both of them would have leading claims if taking up their engagement in the penultimate race on the card.

Under The Radar: Nigel Tinkler

Nigel Tinkler is on a roll at the moment, and is currently on one of his best runs of form for the past five seasons – as the graph below illustrates.

Tinkler has three entries at Ripon on Monday, including Daffy Jane, who is in fine form at the moment, with three wins from her past five starts. She’s gradually progressing with each of her outings, and she is likely to make a bold bid off a mark of 80 with Silvestre De Sousa booked to ride – it’s worth noting that he’s won on each of his past two rides aboard the filly. Bashiba returned to form when second at Windsor last week, value for extra that day having been caught up in some scrimmaging, and he will be dangerous if taking his chance dropped 1 lb at Musselburgh on Wednesday. Archie Perkins is another from the yard in good heart at the moment, building on a solid recent run of form to score at Beverley nine days ago, and he will have every chance if running at Carlisle on Thursday.