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In the Higos Insurance Services Handicap Chase (4.10) at Exeter on Tuesday, Two Faces West was beaten, but far from disgraced, by subsequent Midlands Grand National runner-up, Milansbar, over 3 miles on the undulating Devon course last month and can regain the winning thread. The pair pulled 52 lengths of the third, Kingswell Theatre, on that occasion and with the winner only beaten 2 lengths, off an 8lb higher mark, in a much better race at Uttoxeter, the form has a solid look to it.

Philip Hobbs’ 8-year-old has had just two starts over regulation fences, but won a point-to-point in Ireland as a 5-year-old and, while the ground is likely to be faster than any he’s encountered so far, he has winning form on good to soft going. The Dr. Massini gelding takes a slight rise in class, but is only 2lb higher in the weights than when last winning over hurdles (for Donald McCain last March) and, with plenty of stamina in his pedigree, looks a decent staying chaser in the making.

Historically, the Somerset trainer has done better with his hurdlers than his chasers at Devon, but his record with the latter is still none too shabby and champion jockey-elect Richard Johnson has a 30% strike rate, overall, for the yard this season.

Selection: Exeter 4.10 Two Faces West to win

“Vautour” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by  Carine06 

The winter chills are finally starting to subside and the crisp freshness of spring is peeking its way into our consciousness.

In the world of jumps racing, that can stand for only one thing. The Cheltenham Festival is looming large on the horizon.

The great extravaganza in the Cotswolds is edging ever nearer and, for supporters of Vautour, spring brings with it a season of hope.

Willie Mullins’ runner has been somewhat uneasy in the Cheltenham Gold Cup market since his late capitulation in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

That should not allow us to forget the spell-binding performance delivered by Vautour a year ago in his JLT Novices’ Chase success at the festival.

Did he fail to see out three-miles at Kempton? Or was he merely done by a canny ride from Paddy Brennan on Cue Card having cut out the donkey work during much of the closing stages.

These are the bits of the puzzle that must be worked out between now and Gold Cup day, March 18^th.

The recent news that ground conditions at Cheltenham are steadily improving after a wet winter will be music to the ears of the Vautour camp.

Last March, Vautour positively bounced off the sound surface in the JLT, bowling along in front before tearing away from his rivals and putting the race in safe keeping a long way from the winning post.

There are other races at the festival for which Vautour would seem to be presented with the proverbial penalty kick but the Gold Cup is the path chosen.

At Kempton on softened, mid-winter ground, Walsh’s mount travelled supremely and appeared to have the race at his mercy in the home straight.

“Cue Card” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by  Carine06 

Cue Card, in what has been a standout season for Colin Tizzard’s charge in staying chases, battled back and ran him down in the shadow of the post.

Given his time over, would Walsh play his hand differently? With a lead horse to aim at, Cue Card stuck his neck out and won. But, on review, it seems futile to suggest Vautour had stopped.

When he was making his way back into the parade ring after his JLT procession a year ago, Vautour had the praise of the racing world ringing in his ears. He was, it seemed, a future Gold Cup winner in waiting.

With plenty of juice in his price as a result of his Kempton reverse, Vautour remains a solid option in the blue riband.

Mugged by Cue Card on his first try at the extended trip, Vautour looks destined to have his favoured spring ground come Cheltenham.

Vautour remains a spring horse and is seen to his best effect with hint of sunlight on his back. Unbeaten in two trips to the Cheltenham Festival, this is not the time to doubt his credentials.

The 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup admittedly looks set to be a vintage renewal but it will be no surprise if Vautour comes up the hill in front for a third successive year.

British Champions Day is looming at Ascot and while there are many stars likely to be on show, few have shone as brightly as Freddy Head’s brilliant miler, Solow, this season. Solow has moved himself to the undoubted position of being Europe’s leading hardened miler. He has racked up a hugely impressive run of victories that now stands at eight following his summer exploits in Britain.

There is nothing to suggest he won’t extend his flawless 2015 campaign to a perfect five from five by taking home the winner’s prize in excess of £623,000 on Saturday afternoon. Given his achievements this season, Solow ranks as the best proposition on the betfair markets as we look ahead to Champions Day.

The gelding has looked unstoppable this year and with a major doubt hanging over his chief market rival for Ascot, the quotes hovering around 2.00 at the time of writing could start to look more than generous. A clash between Solow and 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles would make for a mouth-watering proposition but it is looking less and less likely the Ballydoyle inmate will stand his ground.

Having won the English and Irish 2000 Guineas, Gleneagles followed up in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. It was an impressive sequence, and at his best he would present a real threat, but Gleneagles has been forced to look on from the sidelines since June. Soft ground has scuppered his participation in the Sussex Stakes, Prix Jacques Le Marois, Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes. On each occasion there has been a will he, won’t he countdown to race day before, ultimately, Gleneagles was plucked from the line-up.

Solow has not raced on ground worse than good this season but his trainer is on record stating he feels some give underfoot may even bring about more improvement. That is a sobering thought for any of his rivals, even Gleneagles.
The winning margins in the Queen Anne at Ascot and the Sussex at Glorious Goodwood were quite slender – one length and half-a-length respectively – but there looks to be plenty more in reserve should Maxime Guyon need it. Even if Aidan O’Brien causes a shock and allows Gleneagles to line up, the Galileo colt could have his work cut out to lower the colours of this brilliant French horse.

Of the others, the Clive Cox-trained Kodi Bear has been well supported ante-post for the QEII after his win in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood in late August. He justified strong market vibes to land that Group 2 contest and while he has a chance with Solow on collateral form through the runner-up Gabrial, the proven top level performer is readily preferred at this stage. On Champions Day at Ascot, Solow could continue to prove so good – no matter who turns up to oppose him.

Run over one mile on the Rowley mile course at Newmarket, the Royal Lodge Stakes is one of the key races of the juvenile season for colts and geldings, and it usually offers plenty of clues for next years’ classics.

History

The Cambridgeshire venue will hold its sixth Royal Lodge renewal in late September after hosting the race initially back in 2005 due to Ascot undertaking renovations. From 2011 onwards, Newmarket has now become the permanent host for the Group 2 event. First run back in 1946 – over five furlongs – the Royal Lodge event was changed to the mile distance two years later, and was open to both horse genders until 1987 when the race became male only. Past winners include Mister Baileys (1993) who went onto claim the 2000 Guineas in the following year, Benny The Dip (1996) – who won The Derby in 1997 – and the irrepressible Frankel who began his road to racing immortality back in 2010.

There are no current ante-post markets available for the race, but in this article we will look at some of the main protagonists who could take their chance.

Mob-handed

Of the 91 current entrants for the Royal Lodge, Irish super-trainer, Aiden O’Brien is mob-handed with 29 potential runners – so whichever he chooses to run, it will effectively be a tip in itself. Of his plethora of options, Deauville is likely to be one of his main chances. The unbeaten colt has won races at Listowel and a Group 3 race at Leopardstown, both over seven furlongs – beating the highly regarded Sanus Per Aquam on his latest start. O’Brien has trained five previous winners of the Royal Lodge Stakes, with Daddy Long Legs being his most recent victory back in 2011, and Deauville – provided he lines up – could improve that tally even further.

Experienced

After an opening defeat on debut over six furlongs at York, the Hugo Palmer trained, Galileo Gold has since rattled up three wins in quick succession with a notable victory in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Recently purchased by Al Shaqab Racing, the chestnut colt took the Group 2 event with a three-quarter length win over Ibn Malik under Frankie Dettori. With four races already under his belt, Galileo Gold already has plenty of experience which would be beneficial if Palmer decides to take one of his stable stars to his local track.

Hitting the high notes

Richard Hannon has several options to choose from for his Royal Lodge contenders, and Tony Curtis could be the one to take centre stage. A winner on debut under Cam Hardie over seven furlongs at Epsom in early July, Tony Curtis then ran a creditable third, after a tardy start in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes – again over seven furlongs – at Newmarket. The Royal Lodge is an event which is yet to be won by the Hannon yard, but hopefully Tony Curtis can provide the right tune.

One and only

Platitude is the sole entrant from the Sir Michael Stoute yard, and will be hoping to emulate previous winners, Mujaazif (1990) and Desert Secret (1992). The colt was sent to Doncaster for his racecourse debut and didn’t disappoint with a length and three-quarter victory. Platitude was to taste defeat on his second – and most recent outing – in the Listed Winkfield Stakes over seven furlongs at Ascot. A second place finish behind Sixth Sense – another entrant of the Royal Lodge – but it is hoped that the step up to the mile distance could bring out further improvement for the son of Dansili.