HUGH DARES WINS
MAKAARIM (2.0) has the edge for Hughie Morrison on another trappy all-weather card at Lingfield.
The three-year-old was useful for Marco Botti before going on to produce his best effort for his new handler when scoring cosily at Wolverhampton last time.
The son of Tamayuz seemed to have plenty in hand that November day and can defy a 4lb hike with any repeat of such form.
KOHINOOR DIAMOND (1.0) can sparkle in the Betway Handicap for Sir Mark Prescott. The filly was a good second to an in-form What A Welcome over course and distance last month and can go one better in first-time cheekpieces.
ESTIBDAAD (2.30) can bag his fifth success at the Gatwick venue. Paddy Butler’s gelding did nicely at Chelmsford when last seen in September and can follow up at his favourite course.
■ Buveur D’Air will bid for more Grade One glory in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day. Handler Nicky Henderson, a six-time winner of the Kempton showpiece, said the reigning champ has thrived since bolting up on his return in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and is primed.
The champion trainer also confirmed Might Bite is on track for the King George after making his seasonal reappearance with victory at Sandown last month.
Henderson declared the antepost favourite fighting fit ahead of the Grade One and said: “We’re hoping for good ground as he is a very good mover.” The handler reckons his star has most to fear from Nigel Twiston-Davies’s Bristol De Mai, especially if conditions are testing.
He said: "If it is very soft ground it’ll take a mighty one to beat him.”
■ Sizing John will miss the King George on Boxing Day.
Trainer Jessica Harrington believes her Gold Cup hero needs more time to recover from his emphatic comeback success in Sunday’s John Durkan at Punchestown but hasn’t ruled out a tilt at the Leopardstown Christmas Chase two days later. Harrington said: “If he runs anywhere at Christmas he will run at Leopardstown.”
The seven-year-old could face Yorkhill, whose trainer Willie Mullins reports Douvan is nearing full fitness and may make his delayed reappearance in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.
Mullins is also leaning towards running Faugheen in the Ryanair Hurdle at the Foxrock venue on December 29 rather than heading to Kempton on Boxing Day.