A run of positive results sees Team Ditcheat in fine shape with just over a week to the start of the Cheltenham Festival. With the horses in form and looking really well we have good reason to be upbeat for the rest of the season.

We enjoyed doubles at Taunton on Thursday and Newbury on Friday and with luck would also have had two winners on Wednesday at Wincanton where Sabrina was successful before for the fall of Adrien Du Pont two fences out in the Hunter Chase as he was cantering clear of his rivals.
Several more performed well on Saturday at Newbury on ground that was softer than ideal for them. I was delighted with the run of Tamaroc Du Mathan in second place in the Greatwood Gold Cup. His jumping was very good as usual and I’m keen to aim him for the Topham Chase at Aintree. Drier ground there would be a big plus for him.
Irish Hill bounced back with a narrow defeat in the novice handicap hurdle and Wild Max ran with credit to finish third under top weight.
A day earlier at Newbury I was pleased with Shearer’s first success over hurdles in first time cheek pieces with the help of a good ride by Lorcan Williams. Shearer is still a bit of a baby, could be one for our team heading to Ayr early next month and will be chasing in the autumn.
Gelino Bello completed our double with an impressive success under a 7lbs penalty in a GBB novice hurdle over two and a half miles. He is smart, will go to Aintree now for the three mile Grade 1 Doom Bar Sefton Novice Hurdle and I can’t wait to see him chasing next season.
Next weekend our entries at Sandown will include Hacker Des Places and Samarrive in the Imperial Cup, Knappers Hill and Complete Unknown in the EBF Final and Danny Kirwan in a £50,000 novice handicap Chase.
For all the latest news on my Saturday runners please be sure to check out my Betfair column which goes live late on Friday afternoon.