Hot To Trot: Twiston-Davies has his team in top form

Jumps: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Nigel Twiston-Davies may have been unable to saddle Caspian Caviar Gold Cup favourite Riders Onthe Storm due to an administrative error but the trainer still enjoyed success at Cheltenham’s International meeting, sending out a winner on both days.

Stable stalwart Cogry showed a superb attitude to prevail in a valuable handicap chase on the Friday, getting the better of a pulsating battle with Rock The Kasbah. He has built an especially good record at Cheltenham and will continue to give a good account of himself in staying handicap chases.

Back-to-back victories!

Cogry has done it again in the BetVictor Handicap Chase at @CheltenhamRaces

Stunning finish#ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/B8SbcjnDNd

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 13, 2019

Redford Road is also likely to be contesting valuable staying chases down the line and he enhanced his reputation with a game victory in the Grade 2 novices’ hurdle, staying on well to beat strongly-supported favourite Champagne Well with the pair pulling clear. He had no problem with the step up to three miles and was introduced into the betting for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival at 25/1.

Good Boy Bobby found only Mister Fisher too strong in the two-and-a-half-mile novice chase, while Ballyandy exceeded expectations to finish runner-up to Call Me Lord in the International Hurdle. Twiston-Davies suggested Haydock’s Champion Hurdle Trial next month was a likely target for Ballyandy, but he would be interesting if turned out quickly for the valuable Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot on Saturday.

ICYMI:

Call Me Lord prevails by a neck in the Unibet International Hurdle at @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/9U258QwYnd

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 15, 2019

Sir Valentine would also be of clear interest if contesting that valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot. He was useful on the Flat and has taken well to hurdling, winning at Newbury before finding only the exciting Ribble Valley too strong last time. He looks potentially well treated.

Crievehill bolted up in a good time at Haydock on Betfair Chase day and could attempt to follow up in the Silver Cup at Ascot. He has a 10 lb higher mark to contend with but is clearly thriving and could yet have more to offer.

Grey Diamond has made a pleasing start for the yard since joining from Alan King, winning at Perth before finding only an unexposed rival too strong at Wincanton, and he could be asked to make his chasing debut at Lingfield on Tuesday. Mr Antolini is entered in a beginners’ chase at Ludlow on Wednesday. He disappointed when favourite at Wetherby last time but had previously shaped with promise on his chasing debut and he was a useful handicap hurdler (won 2018 Imperial Cup).

Flat: Robert Cowell

Robert Cowell had only one winner from his six runners last week but all his representatives finished in the first three and either ran to form or produced a career best.

Reeves, who struck at Wolverhampton on Saturday, hadn’t always looked straightforward on turf during the summer but it’s hard to argue with his efforts on the all-weather. He was dropping in trip and was up in grade at Wolverhampton, but he took it all in his stride to make it three from three on artificial surfaces.

Savalas was well backed at Chelmsford on Friday on his second start for the yard and only narrowly failed to justify the support. His mark is a lot lower now than when he was at his peak and it would be little surprise were Cowell to win a race or two with him this winter. He could run at Wolverhampton on Friday.

Green Door went close at Lingfield last week and will be of interest if tasked with gaining compensation at Wolverhampton on Thursday, while Good Answer produced his best effort at Kempton last month and will bid to go one better at Wolverhampton on Monday.

Under the radar: Stuart Edmunds

Now McGinty is a leading fancy for the Welsh Grand National later this month, and anyone who fancies the eight-year-old will be buoyed by the form of the Stuart Edmunds stable.

Theclockisticking, who failed to justify heavy support at Musselburgh last week, was a notable disappointment but, by and large, the stable’s runners have been going well.

Maskada struck at 33/1 on her hurdles debut at Warwick last Thursday, handling the testing ground better than most and doing enough to prevail despite her jumping not being the most fluent. That was clearly a promising start and she’s entitled to progress.

Misaps also offered something to work with at Warwick, finishing third in the bumper on her debut, while it is likely Rowland Ward would have finished third in the juvenile hurdle had he not fallen at the second-last when staying on well. The yard’s good health was further highlighted by Blackfinch, who found only one too strong at Southwell on Sunday.

The yard’s big hope in the coming weeks is Now McGinty, who pushed Santini close on his return at Sandown and looks sure to benefit from a really stiff test of stamina at Chepstow. Before then Edmunds will be hoping to strike with Go Millie Go, who is entered at Ludlow on Wednesday. She was an encouraging runner-up at Hereford last time, splitting two subsequent winners, and should benefit from the step up in trip at Ludlow.