Nico de Boinville: “We have given him a break, and he does go well when fresh”

SATURDAY

5.25pm Stratford

Alph

He finished off his race a lot better at Huntingdon last time when we tried him in a first-time hood, which we retain here. If he can build on that, then hopefully he has each-way claims, but this is obviously a very competitive bumper. We have always thought he had plenty of ability if he could learn to settle, though.

SUNDAY

2.45pm Ascot

Bold Reason

Ben has his horses in good form and Bold Reason looks to hold a fair chance here, too. He showed some promise in his first three starts but he stepped up a good deal when second on his handicap debut at Southwell for me last time. He has gone up 6lb for getting beaten there, but we did pull clear of the third so hopefully he can progress here and go close. It looks a very competitive race, though.

4.30pm Ascot

Josses Hill

It was frustrating to see him fall at Kempton last time as he had been jumping well in a nice rhythm on the inner, and he seemed primed to build upon his earlier fourth in the Peterborough at Huntingdon, We have given him a break since and that should have done him good as he tends to go well when fresh. A lot of his best efforts have come right-handed on decent ground – we had him in at Newbury last week but he was kept back for this race – and a mark of 148 can still see him competitive. He is obviously getting on as an 11yo but hopefully he can make his class tell here. This trip may be in excess of his optimum, but his King George run back in 2016 showed he stays it well enough.