3 minute read
Solent Gateway can end a lengthy barren spell with victory in the Huge Daily Boosts Only At BetUK Handicap at Wolverhampton.
Hugo Palmer's charge has not won since Chester in August 2021, when he landed a competitive staying affair when trained by Tom Dascombe.
The five-year-old has drawn a blank in seven subsequent outings, but he posted a fair effort in defeat when beaten just under two lengths by Trueshan in the Northumberland Plate, albeit getting plenty of weight.
He has had some valid excuses for other disappointments, racing far too keenly on a couple of occasions, while he also managed to find trouble in running on one occasion, too.
Solent Gateway returned from a 163-day break at Southwell just over a week ago, finishing a well-beaten fifth behind Berkshire Rocco in a conditions race which left him up against it at the weights.
That outing, which was also his first since a wind operation, should have brought him on, though, and back in handicap company Solent Gateway can get back on track.
Hit Mac is winless in nine starts so far, but it could be 10th time lucky in the BetUK's Acca Club £5 Free Bet Handicap.
While he has yet to get his head in front, George Boughey's charge has hit the bar plenty of times now, taking the second spot on six occasions while also registering a third.
His keen-going attitude perhaps cost him in two short head defeats, but there is no doubt he has the ability to win a race like this, even off a career-high mark of 59.
Free Solo is a model of consistency and ought to take a great deal of beating in the Spreadex Sports First Goalscorer Insurance Claiming Stakes.
Also at Dunstall Park, put a line through Lord Paramount's last run and he has every chance of adding to the course-and-distance success of his penultimate outing.
Coconut Splash can finally get off the mark over fences in the Go Racing With Vickers.Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Hereford.
He has only once been out of the places once in eight chase starts, when pulled up behind Midnight River at Cheltenham on New Year's Day after an early mistake cost him any kind of momentum.
Coconut Splash has turned in some reasonable performances aside from that, though, and moving back to novice company should help his cause.
Coolvalla can complete his four-timer in the Vickers.Bet Independent Family Owned Bookmaker Handicap Chase at Fontwell.
The seven-year-old is three from three over fences, with two victories already in the bag over the same three and a quarter miles he faces here.
His latest success came on Boxing Day when he hacked up by 19 lengths and looked good value for the margin in the process.
The handicapper has hiked him 11lb for that verdict, but Coolvalla still appears to have plenty up his sleeve.
SELECTIONS:
FONTWELL: 1.00 Tip Top Mountain, 1.30 Georges Saint, 2.00 Gerolamo Cardano, 2.30 Coolvalla, 3.00 Shared, 3.30 Allardyce, 4.00 Future Perfect.
HEREFORD: 1.10 Greenrock Abbey, 1.40 Leading Theatre, 2.10 Jaminska, 2.40 Coconut Splash, 3.10 Supasunrise, 3.40 Asa, 4.10 Pay The Pilot.
PUNCHESTOWN: 12.50 Calico, 1.20 Anstand, 1.50 Eabha Grace, 2.20 Gali Flight, 2.50 Letsbeclearaboutit, 3.20 Follow The Crowd, 3.50 Stage Lady.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 4.20 Mother India, 4.55 Lord Paramount, 5.30 Free Solo, 6.00 Solent Gateway, 6.30 Pride Of Yorkshire, 7.00 HIT MAC (NAP), 7.30 Johnny Boom.
DOUBLE: Hit Mac and Solent Gateway.