Tuesday 18 December

Benefit Cut has been declared to run in the 2m 3f EBF Novice Hurdle in Newbury tomorrow. There will be scores of weaker novices run this season, but with the ground as it is, and more rain forecast we took the view that it was the best thing to get another run into him now. Tom O'Brien takes the ride again, with the main objective of getting BC to settle and run a proper race. What he did at Leicester was quite extraordinary, as he pulled very hard for 3/4 of a mile before getting outpaced, and staying on up the stiff uphill finish. Add to this the fact that Tom could not pull him up for about 3 furlongs, and then failed to stop him when he cantered back means that we know the horse has an engine, and if he settles the extra 3 furlongs will be right up his street!! Saying that, this years renewal of the race looks in line with previous runnings, and is a high class field - it will be an informative day, and we will learn plenty from it!