Hot To Trot: Walker on a run

Flat Trainer: Richard Hughes  (Click name to see full list of entries)

It doesn’t feel like three years since Richard Hughes called it a day as a professional jockey, but he has made a seamless transition into training, and he is currently enjoying the best period of his fledgling career so far.

Hughes has several entries next week, including Stanley, who has two entries on Tuesday; in the two mile handicap at Goodwood and in a handicap over 1m7f at Kempton. The five-year-old is still relatively unexposed over two miles, and has run with credit on his two tries so far, hitting the frame both over C&D in June and at Newmarket last time. He’s proven his effectiveness on soft ground, too, and would be of particular interest should the going suit him at Goodwood.

Also entered at Kempton on Tuesday is Plant Pot Power, who is on a long losing run which stretches back to October 2016. His mark continues to slide, however, and he is now 12 lb lower than his last winning mark. He is struggling for form at the moment, but would be of some interest if repeating his effort to finish fifth on his last start at Kempton four starts ago.

Prince of Rome was well-backed when opening his account on handicap debut at Chelmsford last week, and would likely make a bold bid if taking his chance under a penalty at Ffos Las on Wednesday. Hellovaqueen didn’t convince over nine furlongs at Newbury last time, but she scored over an extended seven furlongs at Ffos Las a start earlier and could find more dropped back to a mile at Bath on Wednesday.

Jumps Trainer: Peter Bowen

Whilst many National Hunt yards have found life tough during a particularly hot summer, the Peter Bowen yard have been quietly ticking along, and their run to form ratio on faster surfaces are significantly higher than average – as the graph below shows.  

Bowen is due to have a few runners next week, including Play The Ace, who has entries in both a handicap chase at Stratford on Tuesday and in a novice hurdle at Southwell on Wednesday. The nine-year-old is almost certainly better known for his exploits over fences, but he has enjoyed a productive summer over timber, winning at Worcester two starts ago. He struggled under a penalty next time, however, and a switch to the larger obstacles looks likely – and he would have leading claims if running to his best.

Franky du Berlais could also run at Southwell on Wednesday, though he also has an entry at Sedgefield on Thursday. He was a battling second behind the thriving Hatcher at Stratford last week, and would have place claims if taking his chance in either contest. Dr Robin also has an engagement at Sedgefield, having returned to form when third at Cartmel last Monday. He rallied late on, though isn’t sure to be in the same form next time.

Under The Radar: Ed Walker

The Ed Walker yard are having a good year, particularly with middle distance performers on the Flat, as the graph below shows.

With that in mind, Trevena is interesting if taking up her entry over a mile and a half at Newcastle on Monday. Having scored over one mile and two furlongs at Yarmouth two starts ago, the three-year-old took the extra two furlongs in her stride when fourth at Newbury on her next start, doing well under the circumstances, faring the best of those dropped out. There’s more to come from the Camelot filly over this trip and she would have leading claims if taking her chance.

Dark Panther is also entered at Newcastle on Monday in a nursery over seven furlongs, and would be interesting if running, having shown his first piece of worthwhile form at Kempton last time, whilst Global Melody should have more to offer after improving on his debut to finish fifth at Redcar last month.

Later in the week, Sky Marshal has an entry over a mile and six furlongs at Ffos Las on Wednesday. The four-year-old is having a good season at present, with just one blip in his form so far this term, and he did as well as could be expected when second in a strongly run race at Chepstow last time. He looks to be on a workable mark at present and would have claims if appearing here.