Leicester and Wetherby both need to pass morning inspections before racing this afternoon and fingers crossed they do with an excellent card at the latter and thirteen runners declared for the feature handicap chase over an extended three miles. Tutchec was fancied to score at Newcastle prior to last week’s card falling foul to the elements and he undoubtedly remains well handicapped to run well for the team of Nicky Richard and Brian Harding. Jonjo O’Neill celebrated a four-timer at the track in November (admittedly one was a walkover) and his Catching On is similarly a fascinating contender under Champion Jockey AP McCoy.
Northern-based trainers Sue Smith and Lucinda Russell are both double-handed with Smith saddling Swing Hard and Fill the Power, whilst Russell is represented by the pair of course and distance winner Ballyben and Clondaw Knight (2.45) and the latter fancied under stable jockey Peter Buchanan. The selection remains unexposed having just his 10th start under rules and his 7th start over fences but has progressed on both starts this term, winning on his seasonal reappearance at Hexham before finish third in a warm handicap chase at the track over Christmas. He steps up in trip to tackle three miles for the first time and should relish the stiffer test and continue the good form of the Lucinda Russell yard, with winners at Haydock and Musselburgh over the weekend.
The stable can double up with Jack Steel (3.15) in the novices’ hurdle over the minimum trip. The 5-y-o won a point-to-point in his native Ireland before being purchased by Champion Owner JP McManus and sent to Russell’s Arlary House Stables thereafter. The selection made a promising debut behind a subsequent winner earlier this month at Ayr and, with the benefit of experience, can shed the maiden tag under rules under talented 3lb conditional Craig Nichol.
Micky Hammond’s Rayadour (3.50) was a scorer over course and distance last year when completing the third leg of an impressive four-timer and with two runs under his belt since returning from a break should be stripped fitter to make it third time lucky. The selection couldn’t have been more impressive when landing a gamble at the track in April and, despite being 12lb higher in the weights, can give weight and a beating to his eleven rivals under Wilson Renwick.
Should Leicester get the green light then Sail By The Sea (2.20) is a confident selection for the David Pipe yard and fancied to get the better of Venetia Williams’ Tango De Juilley in the feature 2m Novices’ Chase. The selection was too keen for his own good on his debut over fences last time out at Plumpton but should be much better than that and can make amends under Tom Scudamore.
Should both jump racing cards succumb to the elements then that would leave Southwell as the afternoon’s sole card on the all-weather. General Tufto geos seeking the hat-trick after following-up last month’s success on his 150th career start under a penalty last week at the track however a 10lb rise at the weights means he is worth taking on with Mick Appleby’s Falcon’s Reign (2.00) under Luke Morris. Appleby boasts an excellent record at the track, winning the corresponding race last year with the well-backed favourite Ivy Port, and after trickling down the weights the selection can return to winning ways from a career-low mark.
David Barron’s Zac Brown (2.30) was an impressive scorer on the inaugural meeting at Chelmsford Racecourse and after bolting-up by the best part of 4l he can go in again under a 6lb penalty. Regular partner Graham Gibbons remains in the plate and, providing he handles the surface, can get the better of Mick Appleby’s Scarborough, won landed a gamble last week at the track over course and distance.
Charlie Appleby’s Solidarity heads the weights for the feature mile and a half handicap however John Gosden‘s Deuce Again (3.05) looks potentially chucked-in on her handicap debut from an opening mark of 84. The well-bred daughter of Dubawi bolted-up under Rab Havlin in a fillies’ maiden at the track earlier this month and looks the ideal type to progress further with Havlin once again in the plate.
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