Ski Lodge has solid chance of opening his chasing account back at Haydock on Tuesday

December 28

Noel Fehily celebrated his 50th birthday on Christmas Eve, and Alan hopes that Barbury can provide him with another celebration for his syndicate members on Tuesday, courtesy of Ski Lodge in the Jack Berry Novices’ Handicap Chase at Haydock.

Ski Lodge, who won over hurdles over this course last December, will have learned plenty from his chasing debut at Uttoxeter three weeks ago, when he would have finished much closer to the winner but for an untidy jump at the third last, Dropping down a grade here, Ski Lodge looks to have a solid chance of going one better in this five-runner race.

We have two runners at Newbury tomorrow, Blues Singer returning in the !Introductory” Hurdle after a 10-month absence, having made his jumping debut in a hot novice hurdle at Kempton’s Christmas meeting last year, and I’m A Lumberjack,  who ran well until tiring going to the last in soft ground on his seasonal debut over this track last month, having been off since winning at Bangor last April. I’m A Lumberjack might appreciate this less testing going.