They go this afternoon at Leicester where ground currently described as ‘firm, good-to-firm’ in places on the chase course has caused small field sizes, including just three for the feature £10,000 Novices’ Handicap Chase. All three runners were third on their previous start including Ian Williams‘ No Ceiling who was successful at Southwell and Sedgefield during the summer.
He will relish this afternoon’s sounder surface but hasn’t won beyond the minimum trip and preference lies instead with Donald McCain’s Prince Khurram (3.25). The selection was third behind No Ceiling when beaten two lengths at Sedgefield in late August but re-opposes on 6lb better terms and must go close under the excellent Wayne Hutchinson. The 6yo has finished second, second and third in his three subsequent starts and looks well-placed to go close from an unrevised mark.
Great Link (12.55) makes just his second start for new trainer Lawney Hill but looks well-treated on the best of his form with previous handler Dan Skelton to go close in the opener. The selection hasn’t got his head in front since bolting-up for the Skeltons 18 months ago but has returned to his last winning mark subsequently and must go close under the excellent Nick Schofield. The 7yo is less exposed than his three rivals and can hopefully score for the third time under rules.
The Skelton yard remains in good form, and as such Abricot de L’Oasis should make a bold bid to concede weight all round in the Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles. The 6yo reverts back hurdling after a disappointing effort on his seasonal debut over fences and therefore preference lies instead with Towering (1.25) for the in-form yard of Nicky Henderson. He disappointed when last seen running poorly at the back-end of an interrupted campaign last season but made a winning reappearance last term and is perhaps best caught fresh.
Hexham‘s forecast heavy ground has seen plenty of southern raiders head to Kelso where Kim Bailey’s The Drinkymeister (2.15) should relish conditions in the 2m 6f Handicap Chase. He was last seen scoring under David Bass in similar conditions at Wetherby in the spring and can justify a 7lb rise at the weights.
Nick Alexander completed the first treble of his training career with Maisy Missile leading home a 1-2-3- for the handler in Monday‘s Novices’ Handicap Chase at Ayr and I expect Clan Chief (3.15) to go close for the Kinneston based handler in the 2m Handicap Chase. The 7yo remains a maiden after five starts over fences however, put his best foot forward when last seen finishing second in stronger race at Kelso in the spring and should prove better than his mark of 89 suggests.
They go at Kempton for a seven-race twilight card, where Adam Kirby is an eye-catching jockey booking aboard Richard Hughes’ exciting debutant Footman (4.45) in the 1m Maiden. The well-bred colt is a half-brother to the smart pair of juveniles Bahamian Dancer and Flag War, and is well-drawn in stall five to go close for Highclere Thoroughbreds.
Stuart Edmunds’ Wolf of Windlesham (7.15) was in the process of running a huge race in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and must go close back on the level in the closing mile and a half handicap. The selection was a beaten favourite last time out on the flat, finishing third on ground softer than ideal at Sandown in May, but prior to that won here over two miles and remains well-treated despite a 10lb rise at the weights.
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