The Coventry City Managers Job, Runners And Riders....

Here are the runners and riders for the CCFC handicap steeplechase at the Ricoh. The track has various hurdles to overcome and the going is heavy. Many horses have tried and failed to succeed at the course, the latest victim being Chris Coleman who pulled up lame and was shot.

Alan Curbishley : Ageing stallion with great pedigree. Has done well at other stables but often tires towards the end of races. Well-fancied.

Alan Irvine : Has made a late surge due to the failure of his current stable but usually just one of the pack. Unlikely to cause any great shakes.

Alan Pardew : Been at a number of stables with varying degrees of success, but no major wins to speak of. Could come good but likely to fall.

Alan Shearer : Not even considered to be a runner until supposedly spotted around the ground recently. Fine pedigree as a colt but unproven here. Tried out in the big stakes by his home town stable but failed to produce results. Rank outsider.

Andy Scott : Performing steadily in smaller stakes. Not particularly fancied though and likely to fall.

David O’Leary : Hasn’t raced for a while. High maintenance costs almost caused previous stable to go under. Whin(ni)es a lot. Trainer Ray Ranson will struggle to get the best out of him on this budget.

Dennis Wise : Small pony with an explosive temperament and unsettles other horses. Only managed to place once in his career thanks to a poor field being put up against it.

Dion Dublin : Is champing at the bit to race despite having no experience. Big reputation from younger career, although upset local punters by defecting to a rival stable and taking some other pedigrees with him. Needs time racing in smaller stakes, although reputation suggests he’d make an excellent stud.

Eddie Howe : Rising colt who has turned around the fortunes of a failing stable even though his upkeep was neglected. Only raced for small stakes before but could come up on the rails. Could be a bit much for him right now and fall at the last.

Eric Black : Well loved by local punters due to an exciting first race here some years ago despite average overall record. Not raced since and being used to train others. Unlikely to want to return to racing.

Gareth Southgate : Young gelding who likes to wait in the pack, but never manages that late burst to properly challenge. Has a laboured style and unfancied by the punters.

Gary McAllister : Well liked around the track due his connections with it, but actual performances have been poor. May be a strong front runner early on but will fall back in the later stages.

Glenn Hoddle : Well known horse who did well in his early career, but put out to stud after some erratic behaviour. Doesn’t like handicaps.

Keith Hill : Another colt performing well in smaller stakes, with an exciting style. Less fancied than Eddie Howe but could be an interesting outsider. Inexperience may cause him to fall.

Kevin Keegan : Grey stallion with fine pedigree but very unpredictable. Expensive to maintain and can fall away alarmingly. Likely to pull up if race isn’t going well.

Lazslo Baloni : Dark horse. Great pedigree but can be inconsistent and unsettle riders. Unfamiliar with the ground.

Mark Hughes : Experienced horse previously racing with wealthiest stable in the world. Likely non-runner, but very strong contender if he races.

Paul Hart : Ageing mare who should have been put out to pasture a long time ago. Long racing career but has never been a contender for the prizes.

Paul Ince : Well-bred mustang who showed early promise but has fallen away in recent outings. Can be undisciplined and prove difficult for jockey’s to control. Blinkered.

Paul Lambert : Exciting young stallion who likes to lead from the front. Well settled in his current stable which enjoys bigger support. Likely non-runner.

Phil Brown : Tan mustang well-known for his exuberant style. Difficult to train and can throw riders. Blinkered.

Steve Cotterill : After a few seasons away has made a successful return with smaller stakes and looking to step back up. Strong contender.

Tony Mowbray : Well experienced with a decent amount of success. Likes to lead from the front. Very well fancied on this type of ground.