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Dibble delight in store at Huntingdon

3 minute read

Dibble Decker can extend his unbeaten record at Huntingdon to three runs in the John Bigg “Oxo” Handicap Chase.

Trainer : TOM LACEY. Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Tom Lacey's charge has a fine overall strike-rate of three wins in nine starts, and with two of those victories coming at this track, Dibble Decker has to be top of the shortlist.

Dibble Decker struck over hurdles in January last year before going on to further success at Taunton but he took a couple of starts to really find his groove over fences, eventually hitting the target over the same two and a half miles he faces here.

He triumphed off a mark of 118 that day and has since been raised 3lb, but his half-length verdict possibly does not do full justice to the manner of his win.

Aristobulus made a promising start in the National Hunt sphere and can build on that in the Join Racing TV Now Novices' Hurdle.

A Flat winner over a mile and a half on his first run for Stuart Edmunds, he was third on his initial hurdles run at Newbury, beaten just over nine lengths by the useul Postmark.

He raced a bit keenly that day but if he can learn to settle a bit better, he looks more than capable of making his mark in an event such as this.

Counteract saves his best for good ground, so Suzy Smith's patience can pay off in the Keith Sherwood "Oi Oi Gentle" Memorial Handicap Chase.

He has not run since turning out at this course in December, with a self certificate and unsuitable conditions scuppering two possible opportunities.

A series of poor efforts before that outing have seen his mark fall to 84 and that looks more than workable if he can find his best form again.

Accidental Legend is on a roll ahead of the DragonBet Online And On-Course Handicap Hurdle at Ffos Las.

He has won each of his last three at Uttoxeter, Market Rasen and Leicester, showing a particularly willing attitude on the final occasion to defy a total rise of 10lb in victory.

Hiked a further 5lb for the success, he still could have something in the locker for trainer Fergal O'Brien.

Drash On Ruby is clearly not a match for a her Grade One-winning full-brother Dashel Drasher, but she is more than capable of landing the DragonBet Best Prices On Welsh Sport Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

Eleven runs have yet to yield a win, but she has placed on multiple runs and possibly would have got closer than four lengths last time had she not made a jumping error at a crucial stage.

SELECTIONS:

FFOS LAS: 2.10 Byron Hill, 2.45 Bucks Dream, 3.20 Rolling Clouds, 3.55 Get Prepared, 4.30 Accidental Legend, 5.05 Drash On Ruby, 5.40 Southoftheborder.

HUNTINGDON: 1.15 Just Sophie, 1.50 Aristobulus, 2.25 Counteract, 3.00 Denable, 3.35 DIBBLE DECKER (NAP), 4.10 Richardson, 4.45 Mount Ferns.

LEOPARDSTOWN: 2.00 Saint Sam, 2.35 Lets Go Champ, 3.10 Image Du Large, 3.45 Bynx, 4.20 Tyre Kicker, 4.55 Upping The Anti, 5.30 Sattam.

WEXFORD: 1.40 Zefania, 2.15 Got To Fly, 2.50 First Dare, 3.25 Doyen Ta Win, 4.00 Clounts Pride, 4.35 Finnians Row, 5.10 Dancing City.

DOUBLE: Dibble Decker and Aristobulus.