An all-chase card at Leicester this afternoon and Cosway Spirit (2.20) is entitled to come on for his Towcester reappearance when he ran much better than his finishing position would suggest returning from a nine-month break. He is 3lbs lower in the handicap this afternoon and although 11lbs higher than his last winning mark he is taken to score although the stable of Ben Pauling might not be in the same form as they were a month ago.
Murtys Delight (2.50) looked in need of a step back up in trip when third on his chase debut over the minimum trip here last month and he is another who has been dropped by the handicapper (2lbs) for what was a satisfactory run. On The Case won at Perth last spring for Tom George and is still potentially well handicapped but I’m not convinced he would want the ground as soft (forecast heavy) as it is likely to be today and he is best watched unless the market speaks in his favour.
Palypso De Creek is a Wetherby specialist and might be vulnerable in the Hunter Chase and preference is for Foundry Square (3.20) blinkered for the first time who hinted at a return to form when third at Ludlow last time. If the headgear brings about some improvement he must go close in a valuable race for the grade.
Sam Twiston-Davies takes the mount on Iona Days (4.50) and the jockey was in the plate for the 10-y-olds last success off today’s mark albeit the best part of three years ago. The selection has been raised 7lbs for finishing runner up at Ffos Las last time but the winner (Foxbridge) has franked the form in no uncertain terms (won twice since) and he must have every chance with the jockey booking the key.
Trainer Anthony Honeyball saddles two last time out winners The Geegeez Geegee and Cresswell Breeze (5.00) in the handicap hurdle at Catterick and the latter gets the nod with Aidan Coleman again in the plate. The selection improved for the fitting of a tongue tie last time and was very well backed when scoring at Taunton and a 7lb penalty might not stop her although that success was only a week ago.
At Catterick Oscatara (4.30) didn’t appear to get home over 2m 4f last time and this drop back to the minimum trip should suit Donald McCain’s eight-year-old who has never scaled the heights once expected of him. Uno Valoroso is another who likes to lead and I hope the pair don’t cut each other’s throat but Oscatara a winning point-to-pointer looks very well treated off a 3lbs lower mark than last time.
Less Time will be a very short priced favourite in the 2m 3f novices’ handicap chase having, seemingly, surprised connections with the manner of his fluent Market Rasen success last week. If in the same mood a 7lb penalty is unlikely to stop him but Royal Macnab (3.30) is clearly going the right way and can make it three wins from his last four starts over fences.
The 7f maiden at Lingfield is fascinating with newcomers Rain Wind And Fire (mount of Ryan Moore) and Fondly (half-sister to Canford Cliffs) of particular interest on debut but Regards (2.10) will have learnt plenty from his Wolverhampton debut and this 180,000 Guineas purchase can put that experience to good use.
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