MERLIN LOOKS MAGIC
OUR MERLIN (3:45) can make it a magical day for punters in the C&S Handicap Hurdle at Taunton.
Robert Walford’s gelding completed a treble in style in December and improved again when placed in hot handicaps at Sandown and Cheltenham.
A career high mark demands more but the six-year-old is still open to plenty of improvement and can regain the winning thread in slightly calmer waters.
SPEEDALONG (3:10) can land a competitive novices’ chase for trainer Jeremy Scott.
The seven-year-old stayed on well to beat the useful Behind Time over 2m 4f at Wincanton and should come on plenty stepped up to three miles.
Emma-Jane Bishop’s BAJARDO (4:15) looks a sound investment in the Hagar Handicap Chase.
The 10-year-old has been in good and should resume winning ways over 2m 2f.
In-form Warren Greatrex can claim the closing mares’ hurdle with ODELLO (4:50). The sevenyear-old was a fair second behind Colt Lightning at Hereford and there should be plenty more to come in handicap company.
Trappy stuff at Wetherby where ROSMUC RELAY (3:00) can strike for Kim Bailey in the novices’ hurdle. Useful in points, the seven-year-old bolted up on his timber bow at Leicester and can follow up today.
PRINCESS MONONOKE (2:00) can reign for Donald McCain in the conditionals’ hurdle. The seven-year-old produced her best effort for a while when scoring easily at Sedgefield last time and remains on a workable mark thanks to Lorcan Murtagh’s 3lb claim.
Top jockey Brian Hughes is an eye-catching booking on ALONG CAME THEO (4:05) in the twomiler. Andrew Crook’s gelding ran a blinder when just denied by Dalaman over course and distance last time and can go one better on the softer ground.
■ Big River is thriving after landing last week’s Ivan Straker Memorial Chase at Kelso. The progressive gelding could go for the RSA at next month’s Festival although trainer Lucinda Russell is also considering alternative targets at Ayr and Uttoxeter.
■ Gavin Cromwell has confirmed that former ante-post favourite Espoir D’Allen will miss next month’s Triumph Hurdle at the Festival.
■Owner Eddie O’Leary has revealed that rising star Samcro will go for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.