THREE-YEAR-OLDS

APACHE NATION
He was placed at Thirsk and then didn't really handle the ground at Newcastle, so we put him away. He's by Fruits Of Love, whose stock look as if they are going to improve with age, which should apply to him since physically he shapes like a much stronger individual this year.

CHARLES PARNELL
He's a very nice type who only had three runs. He was favourite up at Ayr on his last outing, but he just couldn't handle the soft ground, so we finished him for the season plus had him gelded.

He has progressed well over the winter, is a fine big horse and should do well over six or seven furlongs.

COOL EBONY
A backward individual by the Derby winner Erhaab who, like Charles Parnell, has only run three times to date. I was pleased with his final outing at Redcar where we upped him to nine furlongs and he finished fifth in a hot maiden. Unfortunately, the handicapper gave him a mark of 78, which was harsh and, having had a word with him, he's dropped Cool Ebony down to 73.

He's a decent staying type and is worth keeping in mind.

MISTER MAQ
Started at 33-1, but ran second in a one-mile Newcastle maiden, prior to missing the break and never getting competitive at Musselburgh. He's out of a mare called Nordico, who won numerous sprints, and is a half-brother to plenty of winners. A quirky sort, but has plenty of ability.

PONTEFRACT GLORY
Unplaced in three starts, nonetheless he's grown over the winter and should be a different proposition this time round.

QUAKER BOY
A nice little horse rated 63 who ran well at Haydock. When finishing fast at Musselburgh, he got a bit jarred up, so we decided to call it a day. Off his current mark, he could have a decent campaign in sprint handicaps.

THE OSTEOPATH
Owned by osteopath Kevin Kirkup and the son of Danehill Dancer, ideally needs soft ground. We struggled to find the right races for him last year.

Having strengthened up over the winter, I think he can win, especially over seven furlongs or a mile.

OLDER HORSES

BEST PROSPECT
He's grown over the winter and is our top-rated horse at 82.

We've always thought he'd go ten furlongs or even further, but was a bit weak last year. Having said that, he was never out of the first five, including being placed at Glorious Goodwood, and is one of the most straightforward horses I've ever trained. We'll aim him at some of the better handicaps this year.

DIVINE SPIRIT
He started from a handicap rating he simply couldn't win off.

He then dropped down the weights, but had a couple of seconds and went up to a mark that once again was too high. He was unlucky to run against a couple of well-handicapped horses in Borderlescott (Haydock) and Intervision (Newcastle). Now he's down to 66 I see no reason why he can't be on the winning trail.

MAJOR MAGPIE
He was desperately unlucky not to win a race last season and will hopefully make up for it this year.

TWO-YEAR-OLDS

It's much too early to tell precisely how good the youngsters are at this stage, however LIVALEX, a Zamindar filly, is quite nice. She's quite sharp along with JOSEPH LOCKE, who is going well and most definitely looks the type to be out sooner, rather than later.