Saturday 11th February
 
Newbury 14:25 – Eldorado Allen
 
Eldorado Allen won this race last year, and he’s been very consistent this season, running second twice, and then fourth in the King George. I just felt he was missing a little bit mid-race in his runs, so we’ll put cheekpieces on him here and ride him very positively, and hopefully that will keep him interested.
 
He loves it around here on good ground, he is the highest rated horse in the race, although he does have to give weight away because of his penalty, but he’s beaten Hitman before, and this is definitely the type of race he can win. He’s just below the very top class, but he seems in very good form at home, and I’m expecting a big run.

Brendan Powell added:

“I love riding this horse as he rarely runs a bad race. He won this last year in similar conditions, and he’s been in good form at home, so hopefully he has a solid chance.
 
He’s just travelled a little bit behind the bridle on his last few runs, so hopefully they’ll help him travel a bit better. It won’t be easy giving the weight away to Hitman and Fanion D’estruval, but if the cheekpieces eke out a bit of improvement, then he should be bang there.”
 
Newbury 15:00 – Elixir De Nutz
 
Elixir De Nutz won over further at Wincanton last time, I think that was back to somewhere near his best, and he’s another who will have the cheekpieces on to keep him focussed. He’s back to two miles here, but he’s got the pace for the trip, and Terry [Warner, owner] also owns half of Eldorado Allen, so was happy to run him here.
 
He does have a fair bit to find on the ratings with some of these, but in the form he is, I can see him running well, and if the favourite didn’t fire for any reason, it’s very open.

Brendan Powell added:

“Greaneteen looks like he’s going to be hard to beat here, but it’s a horse race, and Elixir De Nutz is very good on his day. Track, trip and ground should all suit my lad, so I’d like to think he’ll at least pick up some nice prize money.
 
He felt like he improved for the first-time cheekpieces when winning at Wincanton last time, and he wears them again here, so even though this clearly demands a lot more, I’d be hopeful of a bold showing.”

Warwick 15:48 – Non Stop
 
Non Stop won really well at this course last month, he got the 4-year-old allowance that day and does again here, which could make a big difference. Aidan Coleman takes over from Tom Cannon, so we’ve got a top jockey replacing another top rider, and we know he likes Warwick, so getting the weight from most of these, I’d be hopeful of a big run, and if so, he could just climb high enough in the handicap to sneak into the bottom of the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle at the Festival.
 
Warwick 16:23 – Champs Hill
 
Champs Hill has been a bit of a headscratcher, as he’s bled a couple of times now, but he’s not done it at home. He’s just coming into his summer coat now, so he looks really well, and we just want him to complete his races and get his confidence up.  He travelled well in his last race until he bled, so there’s ability there I’m sure, if we can sort him out I can see him winning races through the summer.
 

Sunday 12th February
 
Exeter 14:30 – Off To A Flyer
 
Off To A Flyer ran a really nice race at Kempton last time to finish third, he's really beginning to fill out his frame now so I don't think that run was a fluke. This race is a qualifier for the final at Sandown later in the spring, while he will also get his handicap mark after this race as well, so a nice run here could lead to that Sandown final.
 
Exeter 15:00 – Rose Of Arcadia
 
Rose Of Arcadia has done nothing wrong over fences this season, and while this is a step up in class, it doesn't look the strongest listed race. She does have something to find on ratings but Fred [Gingell, jockey] gets on really well with her, and the going here will really suit her, so it's not difficult to envisage her being involved at the finish.
 
Exeter 16:30 – Elegant Escape
 
Elegant Escape has been a fantastic horse for us, with the highlight his Coral Welsh National win, but he is having his last spring campaign here, so we won’t see him on the track for much longer. As he's got older, he's definitely developed a preference for better going, and he's off a very low mark here, so if he were to run a big race, or even win, John {Romans, owner] might just decide to call it a day here, but no decision had been made yet.
 
As I say, he's been tremendous for us, and whatever happens, he will get a fantastic home and have the retirement he deserves.