Brian goes Boldly at Sandown

BOLD SIR BRIAN won in impressive style at Sandown this afternoon, quickly pulling clear of Pacha Du Polder in the closing stages. He wasn't foot perfect at his jumps but fiddled well at times and had stacks in hand at the finish. Lucinda Russell has pulled her six-year-old out of the King George Chase, the right thing to do as a there's a chance he might be taken off his feet around Kempton. His trainer is thinking more in terms of the Cheltenham Gold Cup long term, with a Wetherby engagement at Christmas time or another Sandown chase early in the New Year as options for 'next stop'. The way he came up the hill suggests longer trip than this 3 miles and half a furlong would prove no problem.

Meanwhile I'm cautiously optimistic that two decent upcoming Scottish cards will take place. All the frost is out of the ground at Kelso and, given that there's only a degree of frost forecast tonight and none Saturday night., course covers should suffice to make sure the Borders National takes place, supported by a number of decent contests though field sizes aren't quite what they might be due to the continuing testing ground.

Musselburgh are forecast to avoid all but a touch of frost before their decent card on Monday 10th December. With three £10,000 pots, one race boasting total prize money of £12,000 and good ground likely, the entry for the meeting is impressive and should guarantee competitive racing. I presume that one race might divide, thus giving an 11:50 start, so breakfast on course might be on the agenda! If you can get along to this meeting it may prove a decent afternoon.