Form Focus – Who’s Hot In The Trainer And Jockey Stats 18/12/18

Trainers and Jockeys report 18/12/2018

Not the best of weeks last week I am sorry to report but that is the way with these things and with Christmas coming up shortly we can but hope for a little present underneath the bookmaker’s tree. Here’s hoping for a successful week ahead for all those trainers and jockeys mentioned with our horse racing tips filling in any obvious gaps.

In-Form Trainers:

Willie Mullins – 37% winners 59% placed runners

With so many multiple entries over the days ahead, trying to second guess Willie Mullins is never a good thing but if he does allow Ballyward (Non Runner) to head off to the 12.15pm at Thurles on Saturday afternoon then he has a serious chance of  winning for the first time over fences. Early punters should be well aware that at the time of writing he has seven entries in the same contest and there is no guarantee that Ballyward will be the one who runs!

Keith Dalgleish – 36% winners 36% placed runners

With the Dalgleish yard back in the best of form it may well be worth hoping that recent winner Woodside Wonder

can follow up his wide-margin Kempton success in the 1.15pm at Lingfield on Wednesday afternoon. He sticks to the seven furlongs that seemed to bring plenty of improvement, and the extra six pounds from the handicapper may not be enough to stop him here.

Harry Whittington – 31% winners 46% placed runners 

The Dubai Way

was decent enough over hurdles with wins at Hexham, Sedgefield, and Warwick added to a point to point and a bumper, but he is yet to repeat that over fences with a four length fifth at Chepstow last month. He did look to be coming to hand that day and seems to have been found a sensible opportunity in the 2.30pm at Newcastle Saturday in a race he can win with any further improvement.

Oliver Sherwood – 30% winners 50% placed runners

Oliver Sherwood is one of our more popular trainers thanks to his openness with both the press and the public and regular posts on social media and few will begrudge him a decent winning run. Rayvin Black

ran well for as 66/1 chance when third in the Ascot Hurdle last month but will strip fitter for his return to fences in the 1.15pm back at Ascot on Saturday and thoroughly deserves a place on our list this week.

In-Form Jockeys:

Callum Rodriguez  – 45% winners 55% placed rides

If her in-form jockey can get the six-year-old mare interested and on her toes early on, then Poppy In The Wind

  should go well in the 7.15pm Newcastle on Wednesday evening. A daughter of Piccolo, she can give lengths away at the start, but she has won her off far higher marks and has each way possibilities.

David Bass – 36% winners 36% placed rides

One race at Hereford in a bumper and one win so far for Those Tiger Feet 

who seems sure to make a bold bid of a follow up success in the 3.40pm at Ascot on Friday afternoon. A look at the early declarations does suggest it could be a hot contest, and he will do better over further once he is sent hurdling, but he should still go well and is worthy of some consideration.

Harry Bannister – 31% winners 38% placed rides

Suggesting an unraced horse is always a massive risk but with limited rides to pick from for his jockey we have sided with Parkin

ahead of the 3.35pm at Ludlow Wednesday afternoon. The Passing Glance gelding has already been well-backed which is a positive sign, and he should at least give us a good run for our money.

Mikey Hamill – 27% winners 27% placed rides

Lastly for this week we give you Rightdownthemiddle

who won last time out in a selling hurdle at Leicester for Gordon Elliott and returns to fences here for trainer Sean Curran. It does seem a strange move sending him back over fences, but we have to hope his trainer knowns more than we do and will be watching the at 2.35pm at Ludlow on Wednesday with a small each way interest.

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

Woodside Wonder – 1.15pm Lingfield Wednesday 

Rightdownthemiddle – 2.35pm Ludlow Wednesday 

Parkin – 3.35pm Ludlow Wednesday 

Poppy In The Wind – 7.15pm Newcastle Wednesday 

Those Tiger Feet – 3.40pm Ascot Friday 

Ballyward – 12.15pm Thurles Saturday – Non Runner

Rayvin Black – 1.15pm Ascot Saturday 

The Dubai Way – 2.30pm Newcastle Saturday 

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 racecard page here.