Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CANDI CRUSH
O’brien ace looks Perfect bet in old boys’ bash
PERFECT CANDIDATE can keep Fergal O’brien in the big-race limelight with victory in the Veterans’ Handicap Chase (3.00) at Sandown.
The 11-year-old, whose trainer bagged a first Grade 1 prize courtesy of Poetic Rhythm at Newbury last Saturday, showed a game attitude to defeat dual Scottish National hero Vicente by a neck at Cheltenham in November.
Conor Shoemark’s mount is 4lb higher in the weights here but has an excellent record on testing ground and top weight may not be enough to stop him from following up.
Newmarket-based Amy Murphy is taken to strike at the highest level with KALASHNIKOV
in the Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle (2.25).
The Kalanisi gelding is two from two over obstacles – he has landed novice events at Wetherby and Doncaster this winter – and there is plenty more where that came from.
Despite falling when odds-on for a two-runner affair at Exeter before OVERTOWN Christmas, EXPRESS
is the choice for the handicap chase (1.50).
The Harry Fry trainee had made a winning comeback at Newbury 19 days before that mishap and compensation awaits.
The same afternoon at DROPS OF JUPITOR Exeter, won a novice hurdle by eight lengths and Anthony Honeyball’s mare looks well treated in the handicap hurdle (3.35).
Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden are the men to follow in Wincanton’s televised races, starting ANTARTICA DE THAIX with in the Smarkets Handicap Chase (2.40).
Three times successful over fences in the first quarter of 2017, including over this course and distance, the grey still has scope for improvement after second place at Market Rasen in November.
Nicholls and Cobden are ripe for a TV double, completed BILL AND BARN by in the following chase (3.15).
Jamie Snowden puts MONBEG cheekpieces on THREATRE,
who has plenty going for him in the handicap hurdle (3.45).
On Chepstow’s Welsh Grand National undercard, SUSSEX RANGER
has shown ability in victories at Fontwell and Sandown, and Gary Moore’s four-year-old is put up against shortpriced favourite We Have A Dream in the Coral Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle (1.35).