Garrulous declared to run at Stratford - Richard Johnson rides!

Garrulous has been declared to run at Stratford tomorrow evening, with Richard Johnson set to take the ride.

I will be walking the course myself, and along with Tim will make a decision regarding whether the ground is safe for Garrulous to take his chance.  I spoke with the clerk of the course this morning, who told me that they have put down 65mm across the whole track in the past week, and will be putting down a further 16mm today, and 8mm tomorrow morning.  This, along with the rain showers forecast for this evening and tomorrow afternoon should be enough to achieve the goal of good to firm, good in places, and we would be happy for him to run on that.

Garrulous remains in excellent form at home and hopefully he can provide us all with another win at Stratford, following in the footsteps of Rupestrian (pictured), who made a perfect start for the Club there just over a year ago!

Please see below a form guide for the race;

Alph - Late developer who made up into a very useful 2m hurdler in 07/08.  Looked regressive since and only win since 2007 came in a handicap hurdle at Towcester off 5lbs lower on penultimate start.  Held over CD on latest run and needs to improve on that to figure.

Is It Me - One-time usefrul juvenile hurdler and won competitive handicap here off 130 last July, but form tailed off after, and bought by current connections out of a selling hurdle in October.  No form of late and hard to fancy despite plummeting mark/return to this course (4 wins from 6 starts).

Screaming Brave - Modest on the flat but better over hurdles, winning a juvenile novice in November and recording fair efforts in defeat both starts this season, latest behind Ajman (winner since).  Up 2lbs for that but this track should be ideal for him and place prospects at least.

Wheelavit - Comes alive at this time of year (all five career wins between June and August), and showed himself to be in great form by winning on latest start, over 2m1f at Newton Abbot (won that race last year too).  However, doesn't win too often and could be handicapped out of it now.

Ardistan - Only two career wins came in Ireland on soft ground, but fairly handicapped on a 3rd in a fair hurdle at Cork last March.  Showed little for current yard in two starts in December but both times under conditional jockeys and interesting now back from a break with McCoy on for the first time, especially with yard going so well.  Danger.

GARRULOUS

Kashmina - Modest win record and doesn't look particularly well-handicapped either.  Stable second string here and likely to struggle on this first start over hurdles since November.

First Bay - Very modest profile and looks particularly harshly-handicapped on what he has achieved to date.

Massams Lane - Won here last August by 9 lengths but lucky that day (likely winner fell late on) and struggled off higher marks after.  Returns from lengthy break here and likely to be all the better for a run.

Recurring Dream - Only four career starts, a 12f flat maiden last July and three runs in novice hurdles, showing ability on two starts this season.  Hasn't appeared to quite stay at some stiff tracks so this course should suit better.  Interesting, with handicap mark looking fair.

Raise Again - 1 win from 43 career starts and completely out of form of late.  Very hard to fancy.

Shadow Wood - Shown very little in five career starts, including when tailed-off at Ffos Las recently on first run for seven months.  Irish raider whose yard has yet to get a horse palced in this country from 14 attempts.

Verdict:  Only a handful that look to have a real chance.  Ardistan has to be of interest coming back from a break for McCoy and an in-form Jonjo O'Neill (the market should speak volumes), while Screaming Brave (2nd to subsequent winner Ajman) and Recurring Dream (unexposed and fairly handicapped) also make plenty of appeal.

Recommended Bet:  Hopefully a much-improved showing from Garrulous awaits, with fitness and well-being guaranteed this time.  He should like the way this race is run and I fully expect him to go very close indeed.

2pts each-way Garrulous (at bigger than 7/2, otherwise 3pts win only)

0.5ts combination exacta 3-6-10