AP McCoy left Doncaster’s Grimthorpe Chase meeting winnerless as the Champion Jockey’s farewell tour continues with McCoy Fakenham bound for this afternoon’s jump racing. McCoy boasts a terrific strike-rate when teaming up with trainer Neil Mulholland and the pair can land taste further success with Lions Charge (2.00) in the opening 2m Handicap Hurdle. The selection is yet to break his duck over timber however is potentially well-treated from an opening mark of 100, taken to give weight and a beating to his four rivals under The Champ.
McCoy can double-up aboard Lucy Wadham’s Artifice Sivola (4.00) in the handicap chase over an extended two miles. The Dom Alco gelding was always going to make a chaser and has already bettered his hurdles form on his two starts over the larger obstacles; finishing second at Plumpton, before a disappointing fourth last time out at Leicester. The selection would have gone a lot closer were it not for a mistake at the last and with a clean round, should remain competitive from 1lb lower mark.
Alan King‘s string appear to be peaking perfectly ahead of next week’s Cheltenham Festival and his mare Our Phylli Vera (3.30) can give the Barbury Castle handler further success in the handicap hurdle over two and a half miles. The 6-y-o has disappointed in her four starts over timber this term however the handicapper has relented, dropping her to the same mark she won a Plumpton handicap hurdle in March. The step up in trip, combined with first-time headgear, can see her return to the winners’ enclosure.
There’s further jumping at Southwell where Dixie Bull (2.50) can score under regular partner Felix De Giles. Tom Symonds’ 10-y-o has been the model of consistency this term, yet to finish outside of the first three, and scored readily two starts back at Ffos Las. He was hampered early when last seen finishing third at Uttoxeter but can make amends in what looks a relatively weak renewal.
Some excellent placing from trainer Dan Skelton sees Toby Lerone (3.20) a penalty kick in the Novices’ Hurdle on the card. The selection generally plies his trade in handicap chases and was a creditable fourth last time out in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. The selection boasts winning form over course and distance and should be able to get the job done in first-time cheek-pieces; likely to follow-up later in the week under a penalty at either Fontwell or Wincanton.
Broome Lane (3.50) was unfortunate to bump into one on her handicap debut last month at Chepstow but can make amends from an unrevised mark. The mare chased home Henry Daly’s warm favourite, demonstrating a tremendous attitude in the process and looks far better than an 85-rated handicapper. Richard Johnson is once again in the plate and can build on what has already been a terrific season and the 4/5 favourite with BetVictor to take advantage of AP McCoy’s impending retirement and be crowned Champion Jockey next term.
Charlie Appleby and Adam Kirby continue to churn out winners on the all-weather and combine with Austin Friars in Wolverhampton’s feature however preference lay with stablemate Winter Queen (4.40) under Cam Hardie. The selection won over course and distance earlier this term and that form has worked out particularly well. She appears a filly thriving and can bounce back to winning ways under the excellent Hardie, who is terrific value for his 3lb claim.
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