There’s no denying Fiddlerontheroof was disappointing this year in the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury having finished 2nd last year. He had been given a fitness run over hurdles and came to Newbury looking like he had a great chance off a 5lb higher mark than last year. Pulling up was disappointing for connections and the handicapper has reacted by dropping him 5lb in one go. That’s quite a drop for a horse who just 3 runs ago was finishing 5th in a Grand National after being sent off just 12/1. I would argue last season he didn’t get home but with that run and experience under his belt I think he could go well again this year. That run in the National came off a mark of 155 and the 5lb drop would only enhance his chance. Interestingly this poor run at Newbury came on good ground which is a going he’s never won on. Whilst 2 of his good ground defeats were to Edwarstone & Run Wild Fred but he was also beaten by Caribean Boy at Newbury on Good ground when sent off 4/5. I think he arguably just needs softer ground and I’m willing to give him another chance. Last year after finishing 2nd in the Newbury race he went to Ascot (in February and finished 2nd) and then Aintree (for the National) and I think he could do the same this year (maybe winning at Ascot instead)

Beakstown dropped 2lb after disappointing at Newbury when sent off 2/1 favourite in a 5 runner race. He made a mistake early on and jumped the next in a way that worried me straight away about his chances, almost as if something was hurting him and he never looked comfortable for me after that. I always think Newbury form ties in well with Cheltenham form and his form at both of these tracks isn’t great to be honest. It now reads P35924 and has never got within 10 lengths of the winner. His form at other tracks such as Aintree, Ayr and Doncaster is pretty good. His effort last year at Doncaster off 130 when finishing 2nd to Erne River was a good effort (that horse is now rated 145 which is 18lb higher than when he beat Beakstown). I think that’s where he could be aimed at next in early January.

Kitty’s Light is dropping to a ridiculous mark for when he eventually goes back over a trip. Connections are clearly against running in a Welsh National but I hope they may target the Classic Chase at Warwick. It’s generally featuring horses that are slightly lower class than what he has been running against and even off his 137 mark, he would have been just 5lb of top weight last year. The track and trip should definitely suit and it’s nearly £57k to the winner so a winners prize fund worth going for. He’s so well handicapped I can really see him winning not 1 but 2 feature handicaps in the 2nd half of this season!

I’ve suggested the Sky Bet Handicap Chase could be where we see him next but it would be no surprise if they had a run at Kempton on the 27th December to get used to the track again before turning up fully fit for the lucrative handicap he won at Kempton in February. He arguably doesn’t want to drop any more in the handicap as he will start being on the edge of getting in these races.

Senior Citizen was dropped another 2lb for his run at Newbury when never really getting involved in the race, although I think this was a race full of well handicapped horses and this was arguably too tough for him. He’s now rated 132 having been rated 12lb higher just 4 runs ago. His handicap mark would have to tempt connections to wait all the way till April for the Topham Handicap Chase which he finished 3rd in, back in April 2021, off a mark of 139. However I wonder if they try and win a race before that at somewhere like Chepstow (27th December – 2m3f Handicap Chase). He’s only been to Chepstow once and he won a Maiden Hurdle with the front pair pulling clear with a classy Getaway Trump back in 4th.

Hystere Bere to Fontwell (26th December)

Teddy Blue to Lingfield (late January)

Oscar Elite to Cheltenham (1st Jan and then to the Ultima)

Yorksea (long term for the Sussex Champion Hurdle)

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