Form Focus – Who’s Hot In The Trainer And Jockey Stats 01/01/19

Trainers and Jockeys report week commencing 31/12/2018

Plenty of places for the trainers and jockeys from our list last week, some from those chosen by me for the list (below) and others such as Simply Ned winning at odds of 16/1 after being mentioned despite not making our final cut – though don’t forget you can always check out our other tips for more up to date information.

In-Form Trainers:

Nick Alexander – 33% winners 42% placed runners

None of our list are hitting the dizzy heights percentage wise of previous weeks but the Christmas and New Year period is traditionally competitive so no great shock there. Nick has been hitting both win and place dividends for supporters of his Scottish stable. In the next few days he has plenty of entries (especially at Ayr), and may well find a winner or two but we will wait for Friday when Mcginty’s Dream is entered at Wetherby in an Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase that he could well win despite having to carry an added eleven pounds after an easy win at Hexham last time out. NON-RUNNER.

Paul Nicholls – 30% winners 53% placed runners

No great shock to see Paul back at or near the top of the training tree and with the winners rolling in it came as some surprise that he has nothing entered at all until the weekend. On Saturday all hell breaks loose and we have to admit to second guessing by going for My Way

in the 3.50pm at Wincanton on Saturday. Just the one run so far after arriving from France when perhaps overfaced in a Grade Two at Sandown but on Saturday he is due to drop in to maiden class and ought to get off the mark here for his new connections.

Lucy Wadham – 30% winners 40% placed runners

Everyone in racing knows full well that Lucy Wadham has an amazing affinity with her horses and hats off today to the Newmarket trainer for her recent winning efforts. She has a few interesting sorts over the next few days but none more so than Shanroe Santos who remains on target for the Sussex National Handicap Chase on Sunday afternoon at Plumpton. In decent form, he stays forever and has a solid looking each way chance with the more rain the better. NON-RUNNER.

Philip Kirby – 28% winners 53% placed runners 

East Appleton trainer Philip Kirby can do little wrong for a relatively small yard lately and has our first runner of the week ahead courtesy of Ice Pyramid

who runs on Wednesday afternoon on the All-Weather at Newcastle. One run in June saw the New Approach gelding finish second at Redcar but he has moved on since to his new handler and if fit enough after over six months off has the form and pedigree to take this with ease.

In-Form Jockeys:

Callum Rodriguez – 36% winners 57% placed rides

A real star worth sticking with and very much on target to challenge for Champion jockey over the years ahead of perhaps a top job with a well-known owner. He keeps a very cool head on his young shoulders and can hopefully steer the hat-trick seeking Royal Prospect

home in front in the 6.45pm at Newcastle on Wednesday evening. This will be his first time on board the four-year-old who is improving race on race and can land the odds again with any improvement for his first start in over a year.

Barry Geraghty – 35% winners 48% placed rides

Almost retaining the top spot for the second week in a row but knocked down to second instead, but still a fine performance from one of the best jump’s jockeys of all time. His rides this week are limited but word is that Glenloe

has schooled well ahead of his fencing debut at Plumpton on Sunday. If he does come over from Gordon Elliott’s in Ireland for the novice chase at 1.10pm he will take plenty of beating.

Nico De Boinville – 30% winners 45% placed rides

Sometimes, you just don’t get the chance to make a decision in this life and this is one of them. At the time of writing Nico only has one booked ride in the week ahead and that will be on board Robert’s Star

in the 3.00pm at Hereford on Wednesday afternoon. He finished lame last time so we can’t say he would have been our pick given a choice, but we weren’t and when your jockey is riding this well, all things are possible.

Barry McHugh – 24% winners 35% placed rides

Adam Nicol, Mark Walsh, and Ruby Walsh were next on the jockey list but as none of them have a booked ride as we write, we move along to Barry McHugh. He heads to Southwell on Thursday and may have his best chance of a winner onboard Richard Fahey’s The Right Choice

in the 3.10pm, though his other rides all look to have equal chances and it would be no huge shock were he to win onboard one of his other mounts.

Summary (in chronological order, all times subject to change):

Mcginty’s Dream 2.55pm Wetherby Friday NON-RUNNER.

Shanroe Santos 2.40pm Plumpton Sunday NON-RUNNER.

Last week’s form focus can be found on site here, while if you fancy a more up to date list of runners and selections – have a look at our racecards page here.