This afternoon’s sole turf card comes from Hereford, where local trainer Tom George Miss Night Owl (1.25) looks well-treated to reverse the form with Harry Whittington’s Ruby Yeats in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle over the minimum trip. The pair finished 1-2 in a similar contest last time out at Southwell however, considering the pair were sent off 13/8f and 40/1 shows what was expected with the two mares. On 6lb better terms, Miss Night Owl is a confident selection to score under regular partner Adrian Heskin.
Nesterenko is a fascinating debutant for the Venetia Williams stable, and makes his debut over fences in the Novices Chase over two and a half miles. On his first run for almost eight months he may just need the run on his first start since leaving Seven Barrows and preference lies instead with Charmix (1.55) for Harry Fry and Noel Fehily. The selection shaped like a chaser over timber last season and after two promising efforts over the larger obstacles at Fontwell and Bangor can make it third time lucky on his preferred soft ground.
It’s been a rollercoaster week for jockey turned trainer Simon Drinkwater, with the fledgling handler gaining a first Cheltenham success with his very first runner at ‘the home of jump racing‘ after Tour Des Champs scored at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day. That win was just his second overall after Working Title (2.25) saw him train his first ever winner at Sedgefield on Boxing Day and should defy a 5lb rise at the weights in the 2m Handicap Chase.
Nicky Henderson and Davy Russell combined for success on that same Cheltenham card with Whisper cut to 10/1 from 14s for the JLT after beating Paul Nicholls’ well-backed favourite Clan Des Obeaux in the Dipper Chase. Russell makes the trip across to partner Dai Walters’ Jameson (2.55) after a luckless effort last time out at Ffos Las. He travelled well before struggling for a turn of foot in the closing stages. He should be suited by the step up in trip and looks a horse ultimately looks a chaser in the making.
There are three all-weather cards dotted around the country with afternoon cards at Lingfield and Newcastle accompanied by twilight action from Wolverhampton where Special Relation (5.15) must go close to shedding the maiden tag in the opener. Hughie Morrison’s colt built on his debut, finishing second behind a well-backed favourite for the Marco Botti yard at Chelmsford, when doing his best work at the finish. He should improve for the step up in trip and is aided by the 5lb claim of talented apprentice Charlie Bennett.
I’ve been looking forward to John Gosden’s Oxford Thinking (1.35) running again since chasing home stablemate at Gosforth Park last month; with the winner Poetique potentially very smart for the boys in blue. Oxford Thinking was eight lengths behind him that day but went too hard the last day over course and distance and should go close with a more conservative ride. Rab Havlin replaced Nicky McKay in the plate and must go close aboard the well-bred son of Holy Roman Emperor.
Richard Fahey’s unexposed colt Constantino (3.05) can land the feature after an excellent second behind the revitalised Flaming Spear over course and distance two weeks ago. The selection remains unexposed after just seven career starts, and has thrived since the switch to the all-weather. He was a solid runner-up in competitive mile handicaps at Lingfield and Newcastle and, with the application of first-time head-gear, can go one better this afternoon.
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