Form Focus – Who’s Hot In The Trainer And Jockey Stats 19/02/19

Trainers and Jockeys report 19/02/2019

No sense in offering up a report last week based on blank days and with the possibilities of more to come, but all is back to normal as we write and once again it seems well worth getting involved with the trainers and jockeys whose horses are going well, and whose confidence will be at a high for the next few days. Naturally, at this stage running plans are fluid so if you want a more up to date assessment head off to our horse racing tips for the latest news.

In-Form Trainers:

Charlie Appleby – 67% winners 100% placed runners

A smaller than normal sample for Charlie but such ridiculously good figures that he just had to be included on the top of the list. Plenty more entries over the days ahead from Wolverhampton to Meydan in Dubai, and the one we like the most is DIVINE IMAGE who runs in the UAE Oaks on Thursday afternoon. A daughter of Scat Daddy out of a Sure Route mare, she won on her debut at Chelmsford before falling out of the stalls here last month in Listed class before running on after the winner had flown for a well-beaten second. She carries the Godolphin first colours here and is reported to have improved considerably with William Buick booked to do the steering.

Paul Nicholls – 34% winners 50% placed runners

A profitable weekend for the Ditcheat handler and his many followers, but Paul is not one to stand still and will be looking for even more success over the days ahead. With so many riches to choose from he looks a shoe in to regain the title of champion trainer and there is a good chance that UNIONISTE can add to the tally where that is concerned in the Devon National on Friday. He does have a lay-off to overcome but he’s a decent sort at his best and should go close while his stable are in flying form. NON-RUNNER.

Tom Lacey – 33% winners 50% placed runners

Not as many horses to work with here for a smaller yard, but every chance of a win on Wednesday afternoon courtesy of FLASHING GLANCE

at Ludlow. His recent placed form looks as good or better than anything else in the race and the booking of Richard Johnson to ride suggests they mean business with the course and distance winner, who should prove the one to beat at these weights.

Suzy Smith – 29% winners 29% placed runners 

Not the easiest yard to call to be honest though their winners are usually fairly well supported in the morning markets. If that is the case with ILLTELLMEMA in the 1.50pm at Fontwell on Sunday afternoon, then a big race is on the cards at one of her local tracks. Still a maiden after seven starts over hurdles, she was well backed last time out at Kempton when sent off the favourite before unseating and may well be out to recoup those losses here. NON-RUNNER.

In-Form Jockeys:

Nico De Boinville – 42% winners 50% placed rides

Decisions are not needed when it comes to this week’s number one jockey as he only has the single booked ride at the time of writing so that is where we are forced to go. COURT LIABILITY

runs here for trainer Harry Whittington looking to get back to winning ways after a fourth at Huntingdon brought his winning run of four to an end, but it seems fair to say this looks a lesser event and with a clear round they won’t be far away at the finish.

Harry Cobden – 39% winners 56% placed rides

Riding for Paul Nicholls was never going to hurt Harry’s statistics and rides for him have provided most of his recent winners, though he also rode Tikkapick to success for Colin Tizzard, and that is where we will turn again this week. BALLY LONGFORD

is all set to run in a Veteran’s Chase at Doncaster on Wednesday afternoon and looks to have as good a chance as any after a second off a pound higher at Kempton last month. He did make too many mistakes that day hence the winning distance of over twenty lengths but will have been well schooled since and should go close with a clear round.

Daryl Jacob – 38% winners 56% placed rides

One of the most popular faces in the weighing room and back to his best form recently hence his position on our mini-list. He has a few interesting mounts over the next few days but none more so than KAVANAGH’S CORNER 

. Simon Earle’s ten-year-old has placed in all three starts this season including a third last time out off two pounds higher when sent off the 3/1f. He appeared to weaken over two and a half miles that day but he’s dropped back in trip here and looks to have every chance of a place at the very least.

Joe Fanning – 36% winners 45% placed rides

The only flat jockey on our list this week and with a long list of rides over the next few days, CONFRONTATIONAL 

looks the the stand out of them after winning his last two starts at Dundalk for John Joseph Murphy. He has his first start for Jennie Candlish at Lingfield on Friday as things stand where the seven furlongs and the All-Weather surface look ideal, and an added four pounds from the handicapper may not be enough to stop him landing the hat-trick here.

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

Divine Image – 4.15pm Meydan (Dubai) Thursday

Unioniste – 4.20pm Exeter Friday NON-RUNNER.

Illtellmema – 1.50pm Fontwell 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 racecard page here.