Smad Place ran out a terrific winner of Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and BetVictor make Alan King's charge a 12/1 chance for both the King George on Boxing Day at Kempton and the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the festival in the spring. The striking grey jumped tremendously under Wayne Hutchinson and the red-hot combination of King and Hutchinson combine with William H Bonney (1.10) seeking further success at Plumpton. The well-bred daughter of Midnight Legend has been second in a pair of bumpers either side of eight months, chasing home subsequent scorers Mister Miyagi at Stratford in March and Clondaw Cian earlier this month at Fontwell and a replication of such form should put Team Barbury back in the winners' enclosure this afternoon.
Sean and Peter Bowen combined to land the handicap hurdle over an extended three miles on the corresponding card last year and the pair are represented by Princess Tara (2.10) seeking to land back-to-back renewals. The 5-y-o disappointed on her seasonal debut earlier this month at Chepstow however she should be strip fitter for the run and is likely to relish the forecast testing conditions.
The pair combine with Kinari in the 3m Handicap Chase bidding to concede weight all round and whilst he is respected, preference on this occasion lies with Leith Hill Legasi (3.10) under Sam Twiston-Davies. The selection jumped beautifully when scoring earlier this month at Chepstow and Charlie Longsdon's mare is a confident selection to follow-up from a 7lb higher mark.
Trainer Neil Mulholland landed last week's bumper at Fontwell with a winning Irish pointer and can do likewise this afternoon with Who's Micky Brown (3.40) under Noe Fehily. The selection won his point-to-point at the third time of asking in May and should go close on his debut under rules.
There's all-weather action form both Wolverhampton and Kempton with Eve Johnston Houghton's Sunbaked (2.50) a confident selection to score at the latter under Jamie Spencer. The gelding went close at the track last time out, finishing second under first-time in first-time cheek-pieces, and from the plumb draw in stall one can go one better to shed the maiden tag at the belated sixth time of asking.
Ten go to post for the first division of the fillies' maiden over a mile and Golden Stunner (3.50) chanced to make amends after her narrow defeats at Carlisle and Windsor. Ralph Beckett's daughter of Dream Ahead ran John Gosden's stoutly-bred filly So Mi Dar to a neck last time out when well supported in the market last time out at Windsor and she must go close on her all-weather debut.
Chris Wall's string have been running well without getting their head in front and should everything fall right for his filly Trucanini (5.20) then she would boast excellent claims for the feature 7f Handicap. The selection boasts a terrific record around the track, twice a winner over course and distance, and can defy a career-high mark under Ted Durcan.
For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com
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