Harry's Stable Whispers

THERE are bigger fields at the five-day declaration stages for this week's racing than there has been for several weeks, so stables are trying to get their Christmas bonus money in early.

Fields have been so poor lately it has been very difficult for each-way backers. I hope to get a good each-way price on French Grit in the 2.20pm at Lingfield on Friday. This horse has relished his move to Hambleton Lodge since Kevin Ryan picked him up for only 1,500 gns at the Doncaster Sales in October.

John Paterson, the horse back specialist, told me that this horse needs plenty of fresh air and he gets that on top of Sutton Bank which is 1,200 feet above sea level. So I jokingly claim that we train the horses at altitude up here!

Ryan's horses are in excellent form. Damien's Choice won for us last week to bring off a stable coup at 8-1, and I'm sure French Grit will bring some seasonal cheer.

My Glory of Love will run at Catterick next Wednesday and he's in great form. I'll give you the latest gallop news on him next week.

Tomorrow I have had a good word for Jackson Park. He has a few engagements this week, so bet on him wherever he runs, but I think it will be Hexham tomorrow.

Tim Easterby also has Semi Circle at Leicester tomorrow. She will take some beating. However, my best bet of the day tomorrow is Imprevue at Lingfield.

On Thursday at Ludlow, Select Star with the Pipe/McCoy team seems nailed on at the weights. At Cheltenham on Friday, Donallach Mor - who is one of my 10 to follow - will take all the beating. My contact at this yard will not consider this can be beaten.

Back at Hambleton Lodge, the yearlings are coming on very well and there looks some good bred early types, but none are more impressive than my own Paris House offspring Hambleton Highlights.

Trainer Ryan and I watched him on the gallops this morning and he's showing so much natural ability, Kevin says he's going to be a star.

Have a good week.

TIPS FOR THE WEEK:

Wednesday (Lingfield) - Imprevue (nap)

Wednesday (Leicester) - Semi Circle

Wednesday (Hexham) - Jackson Park

Thursday (Ludlow) - Select Star (nap)

Friday (Lingfield) - French Grit (e/w nap)

Friday (Cheltenham) - Donallach Mor (nap)

Saturday (Cheltenham) - Nordance Prince (nap)

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.