THERE’S NO OBJECTION TO LODGE

THE Karl Burke-trained LORD OF THE LODGE ran his best race since finishing runner-up in the 2019 Gimcrack Stakes when touched off at Newcastle last time.

The 2020 season proved a write-off for this colt who was given a long break after summer wind surgery.

He has gradually come back to form and ran hardily to the line at Newcastle in the style we last saw in that York Group 2 behind Threat 18 months ago. The Burke (below) ace can beat higher-rated rivals in the Lady Wulfruna Stakes (2.05) at Wolverhampton.

LEONCAVALLO has a big handicap in him and it could be Sandown’s Paddy Power Imperial Cup (2.25).

When trained by Dr Richard Newland, he ran consistently at a high level including when a close third in the Galway Hurdle of 2018 behind last season’s Champion Hurdle runner-up Sharjah. Since joining David Pipe and following wind surgery, his form figures read 211 and sixth in last October’s Cesarewitch, when he simply failed to stay on in the final furong. Leoncavallo has gone well after a break and confidence in the market after the good run of similar stablemate Night Edition last weekend in the

Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso bodes well. Overfaced in Grade 1 company last time, the otherwise consistent UP THE STRAIGHT can make the frame in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Novices’ Handicap Chase (3.35).

TODAY’S SELECTIONS

Lord Of The Lodge 2.05 Wolverhampton Leoncavallo

2.25 Sandown

Up The Straight (ew) 3.35 Sandown