We ended another week of solid achievement with narrow defeats in tight finishes to the two big chases at Cheltenham on Saturday.

It was frustrating to see Il Ridoto chinned by Fugitif in the last stride after a brilliant run from the front in the December Gold Cup.
Just over half an hour later Threeunderthrufive ran up to his best when beaten just over a length in a valuable Premier Handicap Chase.
Bryony Frost got a great tune out of Il Ridoto who idled a bit in front before rallying strongly when challenged by the winner. While he shapes as if he will stay three miles I’m thinking of sending him back to Cheltenham at the end of next month for the £100,000 Paddy Power Podcast Handicap Chase over two miles, four and a half furlongs or possibly the Fleur De Lys chase at Lingfield Jan 21.
Monmiral was a bit disappointing behind Il Ridoto and was flat out the whole way before keeping on at the one pace. It looks as though he needs three miles these days.
Threeundertheufive was the only one to give Broadway Boy a race in the three and a quarter mile chase. He travelled well, is a strong stayer and his owner Max McNeill is keen for him to have an entry in the Grand National.
With doubles on Tuesday and Wednesday before a treble on Friday we moved on to sixty winners for the season at a strike rate of 25%.
It was good to see some of our nice young prospects living up to their homework by registering their first successes through the week, among them Toss of a Coin and Quebecois who now goes for the Cheltenham Bumper .
On Friday I was thrilled with the victory of Ginny’s Destiny in the Class 2 Novice Chase over two and a half miles at Cheltenham. New to us this season he is progressing swiftly, jumps like a natural, made just about all the running and should have no problem staying three miles. Harry Cobden’s ride from the front on Ginny’s Destiny was top drawer.
On the same day Rare Middleton bounced back to form on the better ground he appreciates at Doncaster where Twinjets made a winning start for us later in the afternoon.
One horse who is unlikely to run again this season is Knappers Hill who has made such a sparkling start to his career over fences. Unfortunately he has had a little setback. It is only minor but as I regard him him as a possible King George V1 Chase horse next year I feel we need to stop with him now and concentrate on getting him right.
This week we will have runners at Wincanton and Newbury in the coming days before sending a strong team to Ascot on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday Welcome To Cartries is a likely starter in the maiden hurdle and Captain Bellamy and Marvellous Mick could well take part in the Listed bumper.
A day later Blueking d’Oroux and Red Risk could both go for the Long Walk Hurdle and Flash Collonges and Switch Hitter are possible starters in the £100,000 handicap Chase while Solo is under consideration for the Graduation Chase.
For all latest news on all my Saturday runners please do check out my Betfair column which goes live on Friday morning.