GOLDEN GOL
Fortune can tell for Middleton in Sandown’s Heroes Handicap
GOLAN FORTUNE is fancied to extend his hot streak with a victory in the Betfred Heroes Handicap Hurdle (3.00) at Sandown.
Phil Middleton’s six-year-old has won three of his last four outings, scoring over two and a half miles here in November.
Golan Fortune came down in a handicap hurdle at Bangor 18 days later, but got back in the groove in a conditional jockeys’ race – he was partnered by today’s rider Dan Sansom – at Ascot three days before Christmas.
And my selection made a quick return to the fray to land a valuable event on Kempton’s King George undercard on Boxing Day.
Golan Fortune is fully 14lb higher in the weights here, but still has further progress up his sleeve and, as a point-to-point winner last spring, should have no problem with this extended two-mile, seven-furlong trip.
Expect a seismic shake-up in the Champion Hurdle market if BUVEUR D’AIR
fails to see off two opponents in Betfred Contenders Hurdle (1.50).
He used this race as the springboard to Cheltenham Festival glory in 2017, and Nicky Henderson’s reigning Champion Hurdler will surely win at building society odds.
After a fine second to Milansbar in Warwick’s Classic Chase three COGRY weeks ago, should give another good account of himself in the Betfred Mobile Masters Handicap Chase (3.35).
The winner, wearing blinkers and superbly ridden by Bryony Frost, was in a different league that day, but Cogry did best of his pursuers and won’t be troubled by the return to three miles.
Cogry’s trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies also has a strong contender for Wetherby’s Grade 2 totesport.com Towton Novices’ BALLYOPTIC, Chase (2.40) in down in class after running fourth to the Frost-ridden Black Corton in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton over Christmas. SIR CHAUVELIN At Musselburgh,
looks a worthy favourite for the bet365 Scottish County Hurdle (2.05).
Callum Bewley’s mount, successful on the Flat during the winter, had a length and a quarter to spare over Cheltenham Festival victor Silver Concorde over course and distance on New Year’s Day.
A follow-up is on the cards for Jim Goldie’s son of Authorized, despite an 8lb rise. MISSED Later at Musselburgh, APPROACH
should show the benefit of a return to four miles – he was second to Tiger Roll in the National Hunt Chase over the same trip at Cheltenham last March – in the bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase (3.15).