Coeur De Lion to get confidence-boosting success on the Flat
London - High-class hurdler Coeur De Lion can make a successful return today to the Flat in the Betway Handicap at Southwell.
Alan King's charge has a rating pushing 140 over jumps, but it should not be forgotten he is a more than useful operator on the level as well, winning once and placing four times from just seven starts on turf. He has struggled to make an impact over hurdles so far this season, finishing down the field in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton and a competitive handicap at Newbury, so it is perhaps no surprise King has decided to switch codes in a bid to help Coeur De Lion regain some confidence.
The five-year-old has run just once on the all-weather and was well beaten at Wolverhampton, but that was a couple of years ago and he is clearly a better horse now. With a total prize fund of 15,000 pounds up for grabs this 3200m contest has attracted a decent field, but Coeur De Lion looks sure to go well.
Angel Palanas can complete a course hat-trick in the sunbets. co.uk Handicap. Following several fine efforts in defeat, the Karl Burke-trained four-yearold was not winning out of turn when bolting here shortly after the turn of the year and a 5kg hike was not enough to stop him following up on his return three weeks later.
He has been raised another 2kg to a perch of 73, but he clearly likes the track and judged on the manner of his latest verdict of a fortnight ago there could still be some mileage in his mark. It is not inconceivable that a step up to 1400m for the first time could also help him take his game to new heights, too.
Clan Legend gets the nod in the Bet At racinguk.com Handicap Chase at Ayr. Neil Alexander's has enjoyed a fruitful campaign so far, winning two of his four outings and placing on the other two occasions. He triumphed off a mark of 118 at Hexham back in November and then followed up off a 2.5kg higher mark at Haydock in December, punctuating those two outings with a fourth place over hurdles.
Lining up off a career high mark of 132 at Wetherby last time, he lost little in defeat when beaten just under three lengths by Catamaran Du Seuil, finding himself tapped for toe at a crucial point of the race.
He still seems to be on a fair perch though and the testing ground he will encounter here will certainly suit.
Chu Chu Percy is on a roll and can bring up his hat-trick in the Biggest Ever Jumps Season On RacingUK Handicap Hurdle. Stepping up to three miles appears to have worked the oracle for the seven-year-old and he has shown he can handle deep ground too, which is another positive factor. - Press Association