SAINT TO MARCH IN
SAINT CALVADOS (2.20, nb) can send punters to seventh heaven by winning the GradeTwoVirgin Bet Cotswold Chase.
Harry Whittington’s ace has some excellent form to his name, including a close second in the 2020 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Despite a final fence error, he rallied to push Irish raider Min all the way.
Seen once on the track since, he finished a creditable fourth in the King GeorgeVI Chase over Christmas.
With that run under his belt and age on his side, against both Bristol De Mai and Native River, he can come good.
The Sandown form of HITMAN (1.50) with classy two-mile chaser Allmankind makes him the pick in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase. Only a fiveyear-old, he is a natural over his obstacles and the 63-day break will have him primed for a big run.
Gary Moore has his team in good form and BENATAR (2.55) has strong claims of lifting the Virgin Bet Warriors Handicap Chase, following his third in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup after a long absence.
A longer trip brings the unexposed KILTEALY BRIGGS (3.30) into the equation for the Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase, while PADDY’S POEM (1.15) can make his low weight count in theVirgin Bet Handicap Chase.
At Leopardstown, CHACUN POUR SOI (1.35) headlines the Cheltenham Festival hopefuls in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase. Speed is his biggest weapon and he is expected to have too much firepower for stablemate Min at the trip.
TrainerWillie Mullins has three runners in the Chanelle Parma Irish Champion Hurdle and SALDIER (3.15) is tipped to floor unbeaten favourite Honeysuckle.
Paul Townend’s mount needed his first run of the season.
ITCHY FEET (2.30) reverts back to hurdles, having won the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase last season. Trainer Olly Murphy expects him to go well in the three-mile Cleeve Hurdle at Wetherby.
SAINT XAVIER (3.45) should relish the four miles of Musselburgh’s bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase for Will Kennedy.
TORIGNI (2.05) has lots of potential and is tipped to land the bet365 Scottish County Hurdle.