Who To Watch – Week Beginning 5th November

Following Enable’s history-making weekend at Churchill Downs, it’ll be impossible to better that but nonetheless, there is more high-class International racing this week. The Melbourne Cup, known as ‘the race that stops a nation’, is at Flemington on Tuesday morning. There is plenty of European interest so hopefully, they can do us proud. Elsewhere on Tuesday, the Haldon Gold Cup takes place at Exeter which has been won by some brilliant horses in the past, not least Politologue last season who went on to dual Grade 1 success. The Elite Hurdle at Wincanton, which is a starting point for potential Champion Hurdle candidates, headlines racing on Saturday along with the end of the turf flat season at Doncaster.

Trainers

• William Haggas – A man who has lit up the flat season over the summer with some excellent horses, he’s had a season to remember and having 5 winners from his last 10 runners, is someone to keep onside this week.
• Alan King – With only 8 runners over obstacles last week, for him to be in the winners enclosure 5 times is an impressive feat. Very good at placing his horses, the yard are in top form and highly likely another good week is in the offing.
• Philip Kirby – 50% of his 8 national hunt runners won last week, which included a treble at Wetherby on Saturday. A good dual purpose trainer, he has runners entered for both codes throughout this week.

Jockeys

• James Doyle – Had a remarkable campaign and his riding skills speak for themselves. A 50% win strike rate and 80% place strike rate last week from 10 rides plus an excellent 5th on his only Breeders Cup mount, I simply couldn’t leave him out for the final days on the flat turf season.
• Adrian Heskin – Consistent, improving rider for various trainers, he had 5 winners from 10 rides last week. Retained rider for the McNeill family who have a number of high quality horses. Goes to Hereford for 1 ride on Monday.
• Bryony Frost – Burst onto the scene last season and has never looked back. 3 winners last week plus a couple of places and a remarkable sit on Black Corton at Wetherby when looking like getting unseated. A steal for her 3lb claim and also goes to Hereford for 1 ride on Monday.

Horses

• Dynamite Dollars – Not a bad hurdler but made a thoroughly impressive chase debut last month and could be anything over fences. Entered in the 2pm at Warwick on Friday.
• Know The Score – £380,000 purchase after an impressive Point to Point win (2nd won hurdles debut last week) before easy bumper win. Disappointing in Champion Bumper but should do better over obstacles. Triple entered this week at Exeter on Tuesday and Hexham on Friday.
• Dashing Perk – Showed good form in bumpers and hurdles before decent chasing debut in hot race last month. Remains on a fair mark and entered in the 3.30pm at Newbury on Thursday.