POP IN FOR HAT-TRICK
LITTLE POP (4.55) can continue Nigel TwistonDavies’ flying start to the season at Wetherby.
The nine-year-old has been in top form and produced another career best when beating the consistent Full at Worcester last month. Proven on decent ground, the gelding can bag his third win on the trot thanks to regular rider Zac Baker’s 5lb claim.
HELLO BERTIE (3.15) can claim a trappy novice hurdle for trainer Malcolm Jefferson. The gelding caught the eye when second to Golden Jeffrey on his timber debut at Perth and will come on plenty for the experience.
NO PLANNING (4.20) can strike for Sue Smith in the Bet365 Handicap Hurdle. The 10-year-old is useful over fences and can take advantage of a workable timber mark on his seasonal debut.
Brian Ellison’s SEAMOUR (5.25) looks a warm order in the Racing UK Hurdle. A quality stayer on the Flat, the six-year-old is unbeaten in two starts over timber and should have too much quality for today’s rivals.
At Nottingham, JUPITER LIGHT (3.35) can land the Kier Property Handicap for John Gosden. The three-year-old was a fine second to The Statesman at Sandown last time and can go one better under the great Frankie Dettori.
AFRICAN FRIEND (4.40) can claim the Casy Handicap for the thriving Henry Candy.
The lightly-raced gelding ran a blinder when second to in-form Operative at Sandown and is open to plenty improvement.
Dean Ivory’s WOTADOLL (5.15) can toy with her rivals in the closing sprint. The mare returned to her best at Brighton last week and can shrug off a 6lb hike for her in-form handler.
■ Petit Mouchoir is thriving ahead of his chasing debut at Punchestown today. The grey was a dual Group 1 winner over hurdles last season and trainer Henry De Bromhead is confident he can be even better over fences.
■ Cap’n is set to be thrown in at the deep end in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Saturday.
Despite being a six-year-old the son of Gamut has not yet set foot on a racecourse competitively and yet he is set to do battle with the last two Gold Cup winners Order Of St George and Big Orange.
■ Domesday Book, winner of last season’s Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup, is unlikely to return to action until the second half of the season after picking up a tendon injury. A March comeback is the target.