3 minute read
Fantastic Lady looked very promising when getting off the mark over fences last time out and can confirm that opinion in the SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote EBF Mares’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Bangor.
Nicky Henderson's charge sealed success at Warwick with a fine leap at the final fence to defeat Ballinsker by six lengths on what was just her second run over the bigger obstacles.
Her first attempt came in December when she was last of six at Wincanton, but that was her first start since May. Fantastic Lady came on tremendously for that and a 9lb rise may not be enough to stop her from following up.
John Betjeman can put a run of seconditis behind him to win the Off The Fence On youtube.com/attheraces Handicap Hurdle.
Mark Gillard's six-year-old has had to settle for the silver-medal spot in each of his last three races, without doing much wrong.
His latest effort in snatching second spot on the line in the race won by Fine Casting was noteworthy considering he made a couple of bad mistakes.
Donald McCain's softly-softly approach with Jungle Jack can result in a hat-trick of wins in the Tote Never Beaten By SP EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier).
The lightly-raced six-year-old has yet to be beaten, having won his only point-to-point before securing two successes by narrow margins at Sedgefield and Haydock in December. That trend can continue at the North Wales track.
Paddys Motorbike can show he is more to offer over fences by taking his tally to two from two over the bigger obstacles in the Bet At racingtv.com Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Kempton.
The 10-year-old, now trained by Sam Thomas, may be a late recruit to chasing but he had a couple of long spells on the sidelines in his younger days.
Useful over timber, hopefully his troubles are behind him after he disposed of his two rivals with a solid front-running display at Fakenham. A 5lb rise for that looks manageable.
Certainly Red showed promise when second on his fencing debut and can go one better in the Every Race Live On Racing TV Novices' Handicap Chase.
Lydia Richards' eight-year-old was learning on the job when going down by 10 lengths to Danny Kirwan, despite some novicey errors.
He put in his best work at the business end of the two and a half miles and the step up to three miles looks sure to suit as his two wins over hurdles came over the longer distance.
Porfin should relish the step back up to seven furlongs to regain winning ways in the second division of the MansionBet Beaten By A Head Handicap at Southwell.
Trainer Phil McEntee has decided to let the four-year-old go further after the Belardo gelding finished well to take third place, just three-quarters of a length behind the winner, Blazing Hot, over five furlongs at Newcastle.
Porfin was successful over this trip when making all at Wolverhampton in late December.
Government can recoup losses and open his account at the third attempt in the Coral Proud To Support British Racing Maiden Stakes.
Hugo Palmer's charge was fourth to Golden Spice at Southwell when sent off the 7-4 favourite but he was only beaten a length and a half. He has been gelded since then and he steps up a furlong to a mile which should help.
Young jockey Harry Davies is already making a name for himself and the 7lb he takes off the hat-trick-seeking Little Raven in the Ladies Day With Sophie Ellis-Bextor Handicap at Chelmsford can come in very handy indeed.
Wins at Wolverhampton and Newcastle have come in quick succession and he is 10lb higher than for the first of those but George Scott has shrewdly opted to claim most of it off his back.
SELECTIONS:
BANGOR: 1.55 Dieu Vivant, 2.30 Pennyforapound, 3.05 FANTASTIC LADY (NAP), 3.40 John Betjeman, 4.15 Jungle Jack, 4.50 Tim Pat.
CHELMSFORD: 4.45 Baileys Eminence, 5.15 Little Raven, 5.45 Greystoke, 6.15 Sarangani, 6.45 Accelerando, 7.15 El Camino, 7.45 Jeremiah Johnson, 8.15 Surrey Princess.
DUNDALK: 4.00 First Blood, 4.30 Elzaamsan, 5.00 Kingslayer, 5.30 Singsong Lady, 6.00 Raamez, 6.30 Five Zeros, 7.00 Sondheim, 7.30 A Case Of You.
KEMPTON: 1.10 Yauthym, 1.45 Certainly Red, 2.20 Cap St Vincent, 2.55 Paddys Motorbike, 3.30 Zyon, 4.05 Flegmatic, 4.37 Boom Boom.
SOUTHWELL: 12.30 Iesha, 1.00 Captain Ryan, 1.35 Government, 2.10 Black Kalanisi, 2.45 Patontheback, 3.20 Porfin, 3.55 Dark Enchantment, 4.25 Glorious Charmer.
DOUBLE: Paddys Motorbike and Fantastic Lady.