HARRY WHITTINGTON BLOG: Grade 1-winning trainer and ambassador for market-leading betting exchange BETDAQ, talks through his upcoming runners over the next week as well as giving updates on stable stars Saint Calvados and Bigmartre.

Firstly, for those who don’t know me, my name is Harry Whittington and I’m the new brand ambassador for BETDAQ. I’m really excited to be on board with the team and I look forward to providing my thoughts on all of my runners as well as any big events during the racing calendar.

Runners over the next few days

I’m looking forward to running BRANDY JAMES again, who is scheduled to run at Perth (2.10pm) next Wednesday.

He ran very well at Worcester on debut a couple of weeks ago, when finishing a good third in what looked a pretty deep race considering the grade. The winner has won in Ireland subsequently and the second was just pipped on the line at Fontwell the other day too.

I think a lack of experience probably cost us that day, but I’m confident he will be sharper for it and he’s in great form at home. He’s out of Motivator so should handle a bit of cut and we’re hoping for a big run.

We’re going to run PERFECT MYTH on the Flat at Leicester (3.50pm) on Monday and while it looks a pretty tough test, we have to start her somewhere.

She’s been a consistent performer for us, but stopped quickly at Southwell in June where we discovered a wind problem. She’s had an operation to correct that and she seems to working much better as a result.

It’s very much a starting point for the season, but we think there’s plenty of ability there and we’re looking forward to getting her into handicaps as the season progresses.

SALTO CHISCO has plenty of entries over the next few days, with a 0-120 chase at Worcester next Friday looking the most likely target.

He’s been so consistent over the summer and he remains in really good form at home. We’re looking forward to get him out again and fingers crossed he isn’t far away.

Future plans

It’s a very exciting time with plenty of our horses close to being ready to go, with the likes of SIMPLY THE BETTS, KHAGE and VINNIE LEWIS having entries over the next couple of weeks.

As for the two big guns, the plan remains the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November for SAINT CALVADOS, providing there is plenty of juice in the ground. He’s been ticking over nicely and we couldn’t be happier with him. He’s a very exciting horse to have in the yard.

We are still undecided on the plan for BIGMARTRE, but we’re leaning towards having a go at the Listed Handicap Chase at Ascot at the beginning of November.

He’s rated 148 and off that mark, we think he’s got a great chance of being competitive.