Horse 1: Gorgeous Tom

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead

Notes: He was competing in graded events last season and ran a very good race to finish fourth in The Coral Gold Cup at Newbury this weekend but is one to consider moving forward given how that race played out and specifically in the early part of the race. The usual carnage ensued following a couple of false starts and there were fewer horses than Gorgeous Tom who were far more a beneficiary of this. He lost an untold number of lengths at the beginning of the race and therefore was right on the back foot from the off. He clearly improved for the step up in trip and given his form from last season, most notably in the Drinmore Chase, he is one who could well be seen winning a staying handicap chase this season.

When is he a bet: Handicap Chase over 3 miles or further.

Next Entry: Savills Chase Leopardstown - 28th December

Horse 2: Deafening Silence

Trainer: Dan Skelton

Notes: It was good to see Deafening Silence return to the course this season having had a good number of issues in the early part of his career. He was installed as favourite in the early part of the week before drifting in the lead up to the race and was weaker still on the day. That said, he ran a very good race coming from off the pace and staying on well from the back albeit that he wasn’t ever competitive with the winner. I would imagine that he is being targeted at a staying chase for further down the line and has some smart form from last season when running well at Haydock behind Iroko and Trelawne. I would be keeping a close eye on his entries and is one for the tracker.

When is he a bet: He would appear to be all stamina, and he could get competitive over the mammoth trips.

Next Entry: Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase - Chepstow - 27th December