3 minute read
Hard Iron can make it four wins on the bounce in the Forth One Supervan Winner Duncan Smith Handicap Hurdle at Musselburgh.
The seven-year-old has made good strides for Nicky Richards this term, winning off a mark of 84 at Ayr in October before defying a 7lb rise to follow up back at that track just over two weeks later.
Hard Iron impressed with his slick hurdling on both occasions and that clean jumping was again in evidence at Catterick earlier this month when he shrugged off an 8lb hike to prevail by a cosy three and a half lengths.
The handicapper now has him on a mark of 106, a further 7lb increase, but Hard Iron is clearly on a rapid upward curve and the manner of his victories suggests there could still be a fair bit up his sleeve.
Good Work can snap a frustrating run of second places in the Thomas Sherriff Handicap Chase.
He has had to settle for minor honours in his last three runs, most recently beaten a short head at Wetherby at the end of January.
Upped to three miles in West Yorkshire, his jumping was not foot perfect but the extra distance seemed to suit and Good Work must surely soon enjoy his turn in the spotlight.
Beat The Edge has been similarly knocking on the door ahead of the George Crawford Legacy Trust Novices' Handicap Chase.
He was beaten half a length after racing far too keenly at Market Rasen, with his rider having little option but to let him kick on before he just got caught on the run to the line.
A mistake at the second-last somewhat hindered his run and Beat The Edge could finally get off the mark here.
Mortlach can make the most of an apparently easier task in the Stewart Wright Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase.
Quick ground at Newbury has taken its toll on the fields and Fergal O'Brien's charge will face just two rivals in this extended two-mile affair.
Winner of four of his 11 chase starts, Mortlach has been set some difficult tests this term, finding McFabulous too good in a Grade Two at the track in November before trailing home third when upped to Grade One level at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Stage Star then was just far too good in a Plumpton novice just over a week later, but refreshed from a break, Mortlach is interesting dropped back in trip with fast conditions no issue.
Diamond Egg came unstuck on his first attempt over obstacles, but compensation awaits in the Bloomfields Horseboxes Presents The Raceline Professional Maiden Hurdle.
Winner of one of his three bumpers, the five-year-old was reasonably well fancied at Plumpton on Monday, only to unship his rider at the second hurdle.
Hopefully that lesson will be learned and he makes a swift return for Chris Gordon.
SELECTIONS:
MUSSELBURGH: 1.50 Melchoir, 2.20 Beat The Edge, 2.50 Its A Midnight, 3.20 Good Work, 3.55 HARD IRON (NAP), 4.30 Caboy.
NEWBURY: 1.30 Dalamoi, 2.00 Mortlach, 2.30 Diamond Egg, 3.00 Imperial Jade, 3.35 Sister Sophie, 4.10 Trapista, 4.45 Meadowsuite.
PUNCHESTOWN: 1.10 Alpha Male, 1.40 Indiana Jones, 2.10 Whatsnotoknow, 2.40 Eabha Grace, 3.10 Senior Chief, 3.45 Barbary Master, 4.20 Ballyburn, 4.55 Gevrey.
DOUBLE: Hard Iron and Mortlach.
