3 minute read

Sam King returns with two selections for you on Sunday...

It's easy to see why Peaky Boy is at the head of the market in the mallardjewellers.com Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (1.45), but it could pay to take him on with Leader In The Park.

Ben Pauling's charge showed plenty of promise over hurdles, finishing an excellent runner-up on his hurdling debut at Ascot before beating the 121-rated subsequent winner Grand Albert at Doncaster next time out.

He was only beaten just over six lengths by today's market leader when fourth in a competitive novices' hurdle at this venue in April and perhaps wasn't overly suited by making the running that day.

A half-brother to dual Grade 1-winning chaser Benefficient, chasing was always going to be his game. I wouldn't be surprised if Ben Pauling's previous wide-margin point-to-point scorer took a significant step forward on his first start over fences.

An opening mark of 121 certainly doesn't look daunting and with the stable amongst the winners, he appears fair value at general odds of 7/2.

WIN - Leader In The Park

Odds - 7/2

Dysart Enos has been labelled 'the best handicapped horse in Britain and Ireland' by some in recent weeks and it's no shock to see her a short price in the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (3.30). However, her mark seems to be mainly based on her bumper form and given what it takes to win a red-hot big-field handicap over hurdles at Cheltenham, she looks worth taking on at the prices.

Burdett Road is clearly well-treated on his flat form and James Owen's charge must be respected. He hasn't always been the slickest of jumpers though and once again at the current prices, it can pay to look elsewhere.

I've landed on the top-weight Under Control, who still retains plenty of potential herself in handicaps. Nicky Henderson's mare looked a graded performer in the making when beating subsequent Betfair Hurdle winner Iberico Lord off level weights at Sandown last season and she was by no means disgraced when runner-up to Ashroe Diamond in Grade 2 company at Doncaster in January.

The daughter of Doctor Dino ran well off a lengthy break when sixth in the Galway Hurdle in August and with good ground to suit at Cheltenham this afternoon, JP McManus' unexposed five-year-old gets the vote to defy 12 stone.

WIN - Under Control

Odds - 9/1