DIAMOND BREEZER
DIAMOND ROCK (1.45) can sparkle in the Bradgate Park Chase at Leicester.
The six-year-old’s form began to tail off over hurdles but he returned to his best over fences with victory at Bangor last time.
A 6lb hike demands more but the gelding is still unexposed as a chaser and can follow up today for in-form handler Henry Oliver.
Ron Hodges’s DAYTIME AHEAD (2.15) can land a trappy looking mares’ hurdle. The grey seemed to have plenty in hand when slamming Prince Mahler at Wincanton and can go in again today despite a 7lb penalty.
It will be no shock if JENNYS SURPRISE (1.35) lands the Silver Buck Chase at Wincanton.
Fergal O’Brien’s mare beat Smooth Stepper in decent style at Uttoxeter last month and remains well handicapped.
HOW’S MY FRIEND (2.40) can be a punters’ pal in the staying handicap chase. Grant Cann’s veteran showed signs of a revival when runner-up to the useful Cucklington here last month and can go one better up in trip.
BREDON HILL LAD (3.15) rates a confident selection in the amateur riders’ contest.
Sue Gardner’s 10-year-old is useful on his day and will take all the beating with any repeat of last month’s Ffos Las success.
HUNTSMAN SON (2.25) looks good value in the 188bet Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen. Alex Hales’s gelding caught the eye when second to Who’s My Jockey in an Uttoxeter novice event and can do plenty of damage sent handicapping.
■ Waiting Patiently will swerve Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown.
Malcolm Jefferson’s rising star is now likely to take his chance in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham a week on Saturday as long as the going is suitable.
■ Mark Bradstock is keeping faith with stable star Coneygree.
The Oxford handler is confident a wind operation will solve the breathing problem that caused him to be pulled up in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. The classy 10-year-old could return as soon as next month and Bradstock’s wife Sara said: “We think the engine is still as good as ever and we’ll get him back for a big day somewhere along the line.”
■ Toast Of New York (2-1) made light of a 1130-day absence when scoring at Lingfield.
Jamie Osborne’s charge was second in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic and showed he retained plenty of ability when beating Petite Jack (7-4) by a length under Frankie Dettori yesterday.