MIDNIGHT VALLEY

Race 2 - MASTER MINDED
If he is to get beat early in his career then it will be in this race. He trials about the best of my crop over this distance but my horses don't seem to enjoy this track at all. I am hopeful rather than confident that he will go well, but could be picking up place money only and there is a chance that Sanctions could capitalize after a good debut performance behind my classy Hurricane Soul.

Race 3 - GIANT SERAPIS
Held by Tequila Ridge, Chilli And Masg and Consistant on her debut run in the league, however things didn't really go her way the last day and I'm hopeful of a better performance here. Quite whether she will be up to the class required to reverse the form with her three principal rivals remains to be seen, but would be disappointed if she is out of the top 4.

Race 6 - CASUAL TRANSGRESSION
Makes her league debut here and although better over three miles is quite consistant over this trip so seems an ideal spot to start off her campaign. She trials quite well and will win races this season, but I know Craig Allen likes Odonimess as his potential Gold Cup horse and he could be hard to beat in this. From the form already seen Tyrion Lannister and Wells Fargo looks capable if anything happens to the two principles, but I think it'll be down to either my mare or Odionmess, but have a feeling we wont be good enough to beat that one.

Race 7 - MODERN SOUL
An impressive winner of a bumper on her first league start, this looks a logical next step but she isn't as effective over this track and that is a little bit of a cause for concern. Victoire Jack has to be respected for a stable which mopped up in NHF races last season, and there could be better to come from Reddis Park in-mate Analon after a disappointing first start. Aerial Power represents those unraced and he could be a classy recruit for Black Lightning Racing. Alans Friend is a potential Champion Hurdle type for trainer Peter Cahill, and he'll be looking for better from that one in this sphere.

Race 8 - HARDY EUSTACE
Made a mistake in entries here, should have run Prospect Time as she is approximately 3L better than Hardy Eustace over this C&D but my likeable chestnut still goes rather well. Pine Creed represents solid form and could be the one to beat in this race for Red Demon Stables, and I also think the duo of Pure (Curragh View) and Union Rags (Links Racing) will go well for their respective stables based on their debut form behind my Champion Hurdle hope. Think if the pace is fierce Hardy Eustace will go very well, but think Pine Creed could edge this for Thunderspark.

Race 12 - GREAT ENDEAVOUR
Made a pleasing winning debut in Week 1, and I think a repeat of that performance should be enough to see off his rivals here. I am quite confident he can follow up that Maiden success, and looks to have Damn Fool and That's Not It to beat. Of the unraced contingent it could be the Leon van Rensburg trained Aquila who could step forward but I think my grey gelding will prove more than good enough.

Race 13 - CASTLETOWN LYRICS
Made eye-catching late headway from the rear when fourth on debut and looks set to go well again here. Flames And Stars (Rowandale Stables) and Asiatic Boy (Donny Stables) are closely matched with my performer and it'll be interesting to see how that form works out. That said it may not be good enough as vibes eminating from camp Hemsworth is that Silver Pond has a touch of class about her, and looks set to continue her stables domination of these long distance races. As a final note it will be interesting to see how Moores Minion gets on for Timmergreens, she could be anything and David Robertson could have an ace up his sleeve for this.

Race 14 - CASTLETOWN ASPECT
An exciting new upload for the final window of this season, she trials extremely well over this trip on soft ground and anything less than a top three finish will be a disappointment. Tocoolforschool is the form horse coming into this race and is well regarded by his stable, but Padraig Hogan is likely to have a line on that one through his winner in Week 1, and therefore Glass Menagerie has to be respected.

Race 15 - PROSPECT WORLD
A horse which doesn't trial overly well here, his aim will ultimately be for Cheltenham later in the season. I would be happy to pick up a point or so for the NHC Challenge but fully expect Let Love Shine to continue her winning run for Bann Rd Stables. Mighty Helios looks next best on the form and can chase her home. Sire De Grugy comes from a stable out of form at present but Peter Cahill believes this is the best juvenile he has trained and has to be respected.

Race 16 - HOOLIGAN HOOLEY
Named after league legend Dave Hooley and is as slow as a boat, and ideally wants five miles. He's a sound jump though and likely to be running on when the race is over but hopefully he can get on a nice weight for a potential National bid. New Design (Donny Stables) and Viking Groove (Hemsworth Town) are two that have to be respected, as does Kina (Black Lightning Racing) for Padraig Hogan but I think this puzzle could be solved by the Leon van Rensburg trained Famous Duel who will love conditions and wont lack for stamina.

Race 18 - ANDIAMO ROCK
Quite possibly the best horse I have ever bred throughout my history in the SOPL. She trials like an absolute beast at home, and I've wasted little time in pitching her straight into Listed company on her debut run. She will need to be at her best though after an impressive opening week win from Conversation Piece (Karoo) who looks like heading the market here. Of the remainder Blue Lake looks capable of having a say after an impressive winning debut, and looks like being the stable star for Virtual Back Yard Stables. Unwanted Attention will improve on that first race fall here providing he gets into a rhythm, and this race also sees the return of last seasons Gold Cup winner Eric Kelly, who has been set a tall task on seasonal return.

Race 20 - PROSPECT WELLS
Ought to improve on his debut run here, and hasn't got the tallest order of opposition to overcome to do that. Syntillating (Links Racing) looks about his closest rival on form in the book, and should once again run a big race but Prospect Wells would be a better horse overall than Prospect Time so that one could be held. Of the unraced bunch Summer Fever has to be respected for Red Demon Stables, as does Marble Walk (Donny Stables) and I know Dave Hooley has been looking forward to running this horse - an open enough race but I think experience of Prospect Wells may just edge it.

Race 22 - EXCELEBRATION
Should improve off the back of an opening race third, and can open his account at the second time of asking here. He is a very smart horse and goes well right handed on better ground and will get a nice pace to track from Looking At You (Reddis Park) who was an immense chaser over this distance last season. Strict Terms was disappointing on debut but hails from a powerful yard, and Chosen One (Hemsworth Town) could be a springer in the market here, with ground in her favour.

Race 24 - GRANDS CRUS
A very good run on debut to go down a narrow second to Sea Sun Sand, and he could be found out again by that stable with Ciao Luigi (Hemsworth Town). Ideally Grands Crus enjoys an extra furlong and I doubt this track will play to his strengths but figured he could still be good enough to steal this one, and of the remainder Dollar Magic (Karoo) could be the most likely threat.

Race 25 - CHALLENGER DU LUC
A really good renewal of this race which looks stacked tough in competition, with impressive Week 1 winners Pythagore (Hemsworth Town) and Silver Charm (SWC Racing) doing battle here, and looks set to head the market for this Grade 3 event. In my trials it wasn't far between Casual Transgression and Challenger Du Luc but thought I'd upload this legend at the last minute because he was a favourite of mine in real life - I hope he runs well but may not be good enough against tough opposition here. The Derek Hinton trained Coach Station (Devon Stables) put up a good performance on debut and could be right in the mix once again here.

Race 26 - ARTISAN HARBOUR
A race which my mare is very capable of taking after a good fourth on debut the last day. Up against her own sex she is a formidable opponent but I hear good vibes coming from Hemsworth Town stables suggesting they have Biohazard tuned up for this one, and the extra furlong here may favour that rival. That said if Artisan Harbour kicks for home early, she may prove difficult to reel in on a flat track like this.

Race 27 - LAST MONARCH
Ideally would like a furlong or two less but figured she could run a race here. Obviously Attitude Ask (Hemsworth Town) has to be respected, as does the unraced Al Veloren (Black Lightning Racing) over this sort of distance. I think this race could go to Devon Stables in the shape of Gold Rush who posted an impressive display when second on debut and could follow up here at the second time of asking.

Looks like another great week of racing, and good luck to all trainers.

Thanks for reading!

Karoo Stables

Race 1 - Comtesse Caroline

Needs to set the pace or be up with it. May find it difficult to dominate in this field, however conditions are ideal and with numerous fancied horses with questions to answer You Serious ( ground ), Montbazon ( stable form ) and My Murphy ( jumping ). The main dangers are probably Hanks making his debut and Sunny Lane who ran well in a bumper. Quietly confident of a good run though as Sanctions performed well in her first run and she is a better horse.

Race 2 - Sanctions

The confidence from the Duke has made me think she has a strong chance. She is a brilliant jumper, strong traveller and the ground is almost ideal. See my write up for dangers.

Race 3 - Consistent

Ideally needs an extra furlong but hoping for some black type. A bit to find with Tequila Ridge, Chilli And Masg and Luck though and nothing suggests she can reverse the placings. This might be too far for Rockslide and a bigger threat may come from the unraced Blue Angel. She is very consistent though but a minor place is the best hope.

Race 4 - Didgeridoo

Potential stable star and headed for the Rynair. This distance will be fine but there are a number of unraced horses in the field and Rikard Eddard and Noland bring strong form to the table. She needs to run well here though to have any chance in the Rynair.

Race 5 - Dothraki

Really confident about his chances of winning this. The drop in trip will be fine and he has a strong chance. See my write up for dangers.

Race 6 - Wells Fargo

Trials really well and clearly found 3m1f too short on his first run. This distance will suit much better and there is nothing between him and Tyrion Lannister on their last run. There are a number of well bred new comers though in Cage Fighter, Casual Transgression, Cut The Crap, Odonimess and Velvet Touch. This race looks like it will be a good pointer for the gold cup and confident of a good run here.

Race 7 - Puff Adder

The extra distance will suit but the ground is still on the quick side for her. Should run a better race but unlikely to trouble the principles. Ideally needs soft or worse ground. Modern Soul may well go in again here.

Race 9 - Special Trade

Did not jump well on debut which is uncharacteristic and should put that behind him and improve here. If he jumps better he will be thereabouts. Nothing really stands out amongst the raced horses and the winner may well come from the unraced trio of California Swag, Dean Forest and Nothing But The Truth. I fancy Nothing But The Truth to win here.

Race 10 - Secret Symbol

Better than his sire Dothraki and will be a huge threat in these optimum conditions. Annaghbeg Oath, Upside and Warrior are interesting newcomers. On a line through my other hurdlers I should have the beating of most of the raced horses. Confident of a good run and will more than likely be world hurdle bound if he lives up to expectations.

Race 11 - Further Attacks

Although she gets the trip better she is better over shorter. There too many unknowns to make a prediction in this race. Not expecting her to set the world alight.

Race 12 - Aquila

Uploaded with this distance in mind. These are almost optimum conditions and with Manifest running well I am confident of a good run. One of my best and these are almost perfect conditions. See write up for dangers.

Race 13 - Gunman

This will be too short. Won't run badly but ideally needs it further and will be aimed at some of the nationals. But in all honesty he just is not that good and will struggle to win a race this season. Really struggled to improve my horses over 4miles plus. There are number of trainers with runners who are strong over this distance but if Silver Pond does not win I'm sure Hemz will be disappointed. Castletown Lyrics, Flames And Stars and Zoo York bring solid form to the race. However I'm hoping sentimental favourite Moores Minion wins here and goes on to great things. It will be a fitting tribute to Paul.

Race 15 - Overture

A place is the best hope as she needs it further. I can't really see Let Love Shine getting beaten here despite the credentials of Prospect World who is the only real danger.

Race 16 - Famous Duel

Believe it or not but this is too short. Will run on and probably just miss the places and the target with him is the grand national where the fences and distances are ideal. The winner is likely to come from the unraced horses and I fancy one of Viking Groove, Rose Pompadour , Kinglet and Kina. The ground should be too slow for New Design

Race 18 - Conversation Piece

A fact finding mission for the stable. He trials well over the gold cup distance but he is a monster over 3m3f and 3m4f and even more so on soft or heavy ground. If he runs well here then he will be gold cup bound. If not I will be kicking myself for not uploading Bridgeburner. See my write up for dangers.

Race 19 - Prequel

I don't think my 2 mile hurdlers or up to scratch and therefore she will more than likely be midfield. There is a lot of solid form here from Backdraft, Big Freeze and Nomakhanjani and a host of potential improvers including the likes of Boombastic , Golanbrook and Sundance. The race is best watched as it will be a good pointer for the season.

Race 21 - Walkaway

This is my best horse and he is a 3 mile monster. This shorter distance holds no fears and with ground conditions ok I'm expecting brilliant things. I won a grade 1 over 3 miles last season and she is much better. Trounces all my 3 mile horses on a regularly basis and they seem to have all run ok. Its difficult to find a danger in this field as it looks like a mine field with regards to picking a winner but Theon Sansa and Dazzling Dream look the chief dangers.

Race 22 - Rumours

Outsider here and unlikely to feature. Chosen One makes her debut and hails from the champion trainers yard and both Excelebration and Looking At You have solid form. A race to avoid for betting purposes as there are too many inknown variables. You can lay mine for a place though

Race 23 - Bring To Life

The distance may find her out. She is a handicapper and hoping to pick up one along the way. Needs a smaller field though as she needs to dominate. Although John Scatters isn't the same force in NH as on the flat Event Horizon should be good enough to win this although Uprising could be a danger.

Race 24 - Dollar Magic

Better than Manifest and can handle a slow pace. Probably one of the best in my stable and although this is a competitive race I will be disappointed if he does not go close. Grands Crus, Smoothie and Vindication all ran well on debut but a bigger danger may well be Ciao Luigi though. A big field suits Dollar Magic well though and he is a good each way bet.

Race 26 - Witchcraft

Did not set the world alight on debut but tends to throw in the odd stinker. Runs both Dothraki and Conversation Piece close in trials and this versatile mare should make her presence felt here. Artisan Harbour, Biohazard and Parthenian Krissi have the best form on offer but it does not really inspire confidence in there chances. Afef John is a dangerous newcomer but stables runners tend to need their first run. Witchcraft could win here and she will be a good price.

Race 7 - Prestigious

Really like her and although indications are she prefers firm wins all my trial on soft. Expecting a big run. Dangerous are numerous including Gold Rush, Last Monarch, Attitude Ask and Al Veloren but she is a good each way bet.

Very good read was this and Jamie nearly 100% spot on your views and glad you was right about Race 27
Looking forward to week 3 review