There’s National Hunt action from Plumpton where Authorized Too (12.10) can go one better after an excellent second on debut over timber last time out over course and distance. The selection was rated 80 on the flat with William Haggas and made a pleasing debut for the Noel Williams stable when chasing home Oliver Sherwood‘s well-backed McKenzie’s Friend, making eye-catching ground in the closing stages, and must go close under 3lb conditional James Best.
As mentioned, McKenzie’s Friend (2.20) scored impressively at the track last month and can follow-up under a penalty stepping up in trip to tackle the Novices’ Hurdle over two and a half miles. Oliver Sherwood’s gelding has improved on each of his three career starts, will handle the forecast testing ground than his seven other rival, and is a confident selection to score under Leighton Aspell.
Barry Geraghty makes the trip across the Irish Sea to partner Regal Encore (12.45) for boss JP McManus with Anthony Honeyball’s 7-y-o fancied to get the better of Venetia Williams’ Zamdy Man on the latter’s seasonal debut. The selection is making his fourth start of the campaign after recent efforts at Chepstow, Uttoxeter and Kempton, falling at the latter however, should improve for the step up in trip and fancied to make it fourth time lucky over fences.
Colin Tizzard‘s Buckhorn Tom (1.50) disappointed on his seasonal debut last month at Exeter but has winning form on heavy ground and with a run under his belt should strip fitter for the Sussex National over the stamina-sapping three and a quarter miles. The form of last year’s Exeter success has worked out well and he looks well-handicapped to go close under Paddy Brennan.
Conditions should prove even more testing at Ffos Las where Baraka De Thaix (2.00) looks to have been found an excellent opportunity to shed the maiden tag over timber at the fourth time of asking. The selection was touted as a possible Triumph Hurdle horse for connections last term and, although falling on his seasonal debut last month at Cheltenham, is a 123- rated hurdler, and looks well placed to score under Daryl Jacob.
Should this afternoon’s National Hunt weather fall victim to the elements there’s always action from Wolverhampton where Quality Song (3.05) should continue the excellent record of Richard Hughes’ stable in the handicap over a mile and three quarters. The selection disappointed in three starts with former handler Peter Chapple-Hyam but won impressively on debut for new connections last month over a mile and a half, staying on strongly in the closing stages. The colt went close to following-up 12 days later when beaten a head from a 4lb higher mark and despite a further 3lb rise at the weights he should go close stepping up in trip further.
Hughie Morrison’s Van Dyke (4.10) has bumped into one on both career starts, chasing home the smart pair of Prince of Arran and Predilection in two Kempton maidens over a mile, and should be able to make it third time lucky stepping up in trip under Liam Keniry. A repeat of that effort should see him go close for a stable that continue to thrive during the latter part of the campaign.
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