Nigel Twiston-Davies’: Al Dancer is one of the best we’ve got

We’ve had a good week with a steady stream of winners and the whole yard is really looking forward to Cheltenham’s November Meeting. It’s a meeting we like to hit hard, and I feel we’ve got a number of good chances this year, particularly in Saturday’s feature.

Friday

2:25 Mossy Fen

He finished fourth at Cheltenham last month where I’m not entirely sure he got the three miles and he would have needed the run too. We’re expecting a much better run here for a horse that we think is still a very exciting novice for the season. Any rain that falls between now and then will aid his chances but it’s not crucial.

3:35 Ballymillsy

This will be only his second ever run and it’s as much about education as anything. It looks a very hot race, and he may well be a little outclassed, but he is a lovely, young horse with a bright future.

4:05 One True King

He ran a great race last time at Cheltenham and was ultimately beaten by a very well-handicapped horse. We like him a lot, he’s a very nice individual, and we hope that Friday will be his day. Whether he wins this or not isn’t everything, though, as he is made for chasing and is one to follow into next season as well.

Saturday

1:05 Arthur’s Gift

He didn’t start last time and was reported to have refused to line up which was a bit bizarre.

Hopefully he behaves himself on Saturday with Zac Baker on board. Zac, brother of George, has been our amateur for years and does plenty of work with the horse, so hopefully he can help bring about a return to form.

2:15 Al Dancer

There are not many more competitive races than this but he’s one of the best horses we’ve got and I’m hoping he’s well-handicapped. His win first time up this season at Newton Abbot was quite remarkable to be honest. The reason why I felt it was so good was because he settled so well, better than he ever had done before, and that could be the key to him.

He had to run over two miles before because he wouldn’t settle, but if he settles here then this trip might bring out the best in him I think this extra distance should put him ahead of the handicapper.

The only other thing that could help his chances even further is a drop of rain, but I wouldn’t be too worried.

3:25 Topofthecotswolds

He’s very fit having run three times already this season and will be there to pick up the pieces if any of the other well-fancied runners fail to fire. His races have also been nicely spaced out, giving him time to take a step forward with each run, and we’re hoping he can keep progressing.

Sunday

1:50 Crievehill

He ran quite well despite finishing eighth in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on his reappearance and will hopefully come on for that. Conditions look set to suit and we think he’ll run a nice race too

2:25 Riders Onthe Storm

I’m very interested in trying him at this two-mile trip seeing as there aren’t a great deal of two-and-a-half mile races around for him at the moment We can always go back to two-and-a-half after Sunday if things don’t work out, but I’m keen to see exactly what we’ve got.

He’s very quick, proved he can mix it with the best last season and is as fit as anything we’ve sent out first time so far this season A drop of rain would help his cause but I’m not too concerned.

3:00 Ballyandy

‘Andy’ could do with a bit more rain. I thought he ran a cracker under top-weight at Ffos Las to split Sceau Royal and Buzz last time out and I’d love to run him in this, but he does want it a bit softer.

3:35 Lessankan

On all known form he looks to have a lot on his plate here. It’s set to be a typically high-class renewal and we’re just hoping for a nice clear round.

4:05 Let It Loose

He’s a nice horse but, as you’d expect for Cheltenham, the bumper is always full of them, so you never quite know. It’s hard to be too confident in a race like this but he wouldn’t be in there if we didn’t like him.

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