An interesting jumps card at Southwell this evening and, once again, Virtuose Du Chenet disappointed over 2m 4f here earlier in the month, but he travelled as if this drop back to the minimum trip might suit and a market move would be worth noting.
That said Grand March (5.25) makes more appeal also dropping back in distance; the selection was a dual winner over hurdles, has the scope to jump a fence and is taken to take advantage of a mark 6lbs lower than when successful over timber at Huntingdon last February.
Toviere (6.30) was sent off 16/1 for his hurdles debut but belied those odds when finishing a good second at Warwick at the beginning of the month and he is taken to go one better in the Maiden Hurdle. A son of Presenting the selection ran well enough in two starts in Bumpers and wouldn't need to improve on his first start over timber to land this weak looking contest.
Excellent Team is a Godolphin cast off from the flat and doesn't look too highly-tried on his hurdles debut for Dan Skelton but the mare Sanaija (7.00) wasn't beaten too far at Uttoxeter on her first start over timber and the fact that she has not been seen since October suggests there was a problem with the mare.
Trained by Nicky Henderson the 5-year-old was only beaten a length in a listed contest when trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre in France and Henderson looks to have found an excellent opportunity for her.
Richard Johnson takes over on Celldomfed (7.35) for Jonjo O'Neill and the gelding could have been let in lightly for his handicap bow having scored with plenty in hand when experiencing the minimum trip and good ground for the first time at Chepstow last month.
Skelton's Benissimo and Proofreader are others to consider in a competitive handicap although the biggest danger could come from Eyes Of A Tiger who pulled too hard at Market Rasen last time; the booking of Tom Scudamore looks significant.
At Hexham Fairy Theatre is one to note having run well behind one of Alan King's at Warwick last time but preference is for Double Accord (3.00) who was a winner at Taunton last time (3m) and should appreciate this stiff course dropping back in trip. The mare makes the long journey up from Devon for Anthony Honeyball and a 6lb rise for her latest success looks fair.
There's a competitive card at Wetherby on the level this evening and Prendergast Hill (7.50) drops back to 10f, the distance of his sole career success, for the first time this season. The lightly-raced 4-y-old has been well backed on all three starts this term but has been dropped a pound, is well drawn and Jim Crowley travels north for just the one booked ride.
Karl Burke had a couple of winners at Carlisle last week and his string look to be hitting top form and the hope is that High Draw (8.20) can make it third time luck in the mile maiden. The gelding has run well in both starts at Nottingham this spring and can repel the challenge of the Richard Hannon-trained Torch who also finished second (at Newmarket) last time.
Sir Mark Prescott gives every impression his string are just about to catch fire and a market move for Mystique Heights would be significant but I thought there was a bit more to come from Scarpeta (4.15) at Beverley last time and a 6lb rise for that win looks fair enough. He will get further in time and the hope is that jockey Franny Norton might get a soft lead and try and make all at Wolverhampton.
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