3 minute read
Another Crick let favourite-backers down when beaten at Newbury last time but can reward his faithful supporters at Sandown.
Noel Williams' charge was sent off the 15-8 market leader two weeks ago but was unable to back up his success at Wincanton in January.
The nine-year-old had every chance until losing his pitch four fences from home. He stayed on well to take fourth place as The Russian Doyen took the prize, which suggests he should be suited by the stiff Sandown finish.
The handicapper has left him unchanged on a mark of 124 for the Wolsey Handicap Chase, having raised him just 2lb for his win at Wincanton.
It is true Another Crick took full advantage of a bad mistake by Grey Diamond at the final fence at the Somerset venue but there could be more improvement to come as that was only his second start since returning after 262 days off the track.
Rolling Dylan can complete a notable Sandown double by adding the Grand Military Gold Cup to his triumph in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup.
The 11-year-old, trained by Philip Hobbs, ran out a ready length-and-a-half winner from Hogan's Height over the course and distance venue last month. A repeat of that performance should see him collect again.
West To The Bridge has been in top-top form already this year with victories at Chepstow and Carlisle.
An 11lb hike in the ratings may not stop him from completing the hat-trick in the Team Forces Handicap Hurdle.
The nine-year-old, trained by Dan Skelton, carried plenty of market confidence on both occasions and is sure to have a big following as he seeks to continue his winning streak.
Bavington Bob can stretch his winning spree to four in the Quinnbet Handicap Chase at Newcastle.
The first two of the seven-year-old's victories this winter came over this track before he made it three on the bounce with an authoritative display at Carlisle.
The handicapper has obviously had his say by putting him up a total of 14lb, but the assessor may not have the measure of the Ann Hamilton-trained gelding just yet.
Having only made his first public appearance over fences when second to Sounds Russian at Sedgefield in December it is reasonable to assume Bavington Bob has not reached his ceiling.
Speak Of The Devil looked to be running into form when second at Doncaster and can go one better in the Play Last Horse Standing With Vickers.Bet Handicap Chase.
The nine-year-old, trained by Lucinda Russell, made a couple of mistakes early on but stuck to his task resolutely in the closing stages to get within six and a half lengths of the winner, Hard To Forget, at the line.
Rose Of Siena can open her account at the third attempt in the Follow Vickers.Bet On Facebook Mares' Open National Hunt Flat Race.
The Nicky Richards' trained five-year-old shaped well on her debut when third at Kelso and stepped up on that when going down by only two and three-quarter lengths to Call Me Harry at Musselburgh.
The winner has franked the form with another victory to give a solid look to that effort.
Fat Gladiator can play a hand in the Watch Racing Free Online At Coral Handicap at Wolverhampton.
Off for 133 days before returning at Kempton last month, the George Baker-trained gelding was all sorts of keen through the early stages.
He then did not help his chance by hanging a touch to his left when being asked for his effort, but for all that he finished quite takingly and would have been second in another stride.
The winner, Gidwa, has gone in against since and with that effort hopefully having taken the freshness off him he must be thereabouts.
Khurumbi is one to watch on the evening card at Wolverhampton, where she goes in the Betway Median Auction Maiden Stakes.
Ed Bethell's filly has had just two career starts, returning from 87 days off to run a race full of promise at Newcastle last month. Andrea Atzeni is an eyecatching jockey booking, so all looks set for a big run.
SELECTIONS:
NEWCASTLE: 1.00 Tough Out, 1.30 Speak Of The Devil, 2.05 Barrakhov, 2.40 The Jad Factor, 3.15 Bavington Bob, 3.50 Planned Paradise, 4.20 Full Of Surprises, 4.50 Rose Of Siena.
SANDOWN: 1.50 Privatory, 2.20 Great Ocean, 2.55 ANOTHER CRICK (NAP), 3.30 Rolling Dylan, 4.05 West To The Bridge, 4.40 American Gerry.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.00 Twilight Tone, 5.30 Independence Day, 6.00 Dark Kris, 6.30 Khurumbi, 7.00 Across The Nile, 7.30 Civil Law, 8.00 Ruby Red Empress.