Hogan’s Height For The National?

We achieved our 40th winner of the season at the weekend in fitting circumstances, as long-term inmate Hogan’s Height took the Grand Sefton at Aintree.

Last week

It was a huge thrill for everyone to see Hogan’s Height win the Grand Sefton at Aintree. He’s a horse that’s been very good for us, winning 5 races. We felt that we pitched him in at the deep end in this race, however, he took to it like a duck to water.

The plan was run over these fences as a preparation, so we could then aim for the Aintree Foxhunters. We will now shelve that idea and aim for the Grand National as the end of season target, which is great for everyone involved. Prior to that, we will look for a race for him over hurdles, probably in March, and then go straight to the National.

It was great to see Sazerak run so well on debut at Wetherby. She was only beaten 5½ lengths to the eventual winner in what looked a competitive bumper. She’s a lovely horse and is an exciting prospect going forward.

This week’s entries

At Hexham, we have Legends Ryde entered in the Memorial Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. She won her bumper in the Autumn and was a subsequent 2nd in the listed race at Cheltenham.

She takes on Miah Grace who has won over hurdles and is rated 125. Jed O’Keeffe’s horse must concede a penalty, so when you take the form of both horses into consideration, they have leading claims.

Ask Robin is entered to go down to Taunton in the Novices’ Hurdle. He’s a lovely big chasing type and should benefit from the experience here.

He ran well for a long way on his first start after a long absence last time and should improve again on what he does here.

Currently, Coole Well has a couple of entries, so we’ll have to look to see where he eventually lines up. He was a good 2nd on chasing debut at Newcastle and we’re hoping that there is more to come from him over fences.

On Friday at Cheltenham, Fact Of The Matter goes for the Cross Country Chase. He loves these races; however, we need to hope that the sun shines before then as he would much prefer running on good ground – although it wouldn’t inconvenience him entirely.

He comes into the race off a mark that is only 1Ibs higher than when he won this race last year, so all being well, we’d expect him to run well again.

Kiltealy Briggs lines up in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday. He is in great form and has come out of his Hexham run very well.

ICYMI: @jamiesnowden's Kiltealy Briggs won by 3️⃣6️⃣ lengths at @HexhamRaces today.

Not bad considering he went off at EVENS ?pic.twitter.com/zdEj1zkn9U

— BetVictor Racing (@BetVictorRacing) November 20, 2019

He’s stepping up in trip here, which he should enjoy. I think the test in stamina could bring out improvement in him and if this is the case, there’s no reason why he can’t go close. Whatever he does over hurdles, he will improve on over fences, so it’s an exciting time to go forward with him.

College Oak won his bumper and subsequently was 2nd first time out over hurdles at Ffos Las. He should improve off the back of that.

We have him entered in the Maiden Hurdle at Southwell on Sunday and all being well, he should go close.

We have Thomas MacDonagh entered in the Novices’ Hurdle at Ffos Las on Monday. He’s been very prolific for us having bolted up on handicap debut at Wetherby. This was in a Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle; therefore, he will escape a penalty for that win back in novice company.