SIZING UP THE CUP
JESSICA HARRINGTON is bullish about her dual contenders for next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The Irish handler reports reigning champion Sizing John and rising star Our Duke are both in excellent form ahead of their clash in the blue riband.
Harrington is confident the geldings have major chances in the 3m 2f Grade One for which they are both around 6-1.
And the handler added antepost jolly Supasundae was thriving ahead of his return to three miles in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson’s leading Festival contenders Apple’s Shakira, Brain Power and L’Ami Serge all performed well in a racecourse gallop on the all-weather at Kempton.
Ben Pauling’s Global Citizen will swerve the County Hurdle at the Festival though.
The gelding will go for the Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April after a 19lb hike in the weights for his success at Kempton. Trainer Pauling admits it is “70-30 against” favourite Willoughby Court making the JLT Novices’ Chase after suffering pus in a foot.
■ Saturday’s high-profile meeting at Kelso is under threat due to the cold snap.
Clerk of the course Anthea Morshead is pessimistic about the card – to be shown on ITV4 – surviving after snow and freezing temperatures were forecast.
The meeting, which features the Premier Novices’ Hurdle and Premier Chase, could be rescheduled for next week. Weather permitting, Grand National hope Seeyouatmidnight will make his comeback against southern stars Bristol De Mai and American in the Premier Chase.
The 10-year-old’s trainer Sandy Thomson reported he’s primed for his first run in 11 months after performing well in a racecourse workout at Newcastle.
■ NIGHT CASTLE (5.45) can strike for in-form handler Charlie Appleby at Newcastle today. The Godolphin gelding was an eyecatching fifth in a hot Kempton maiden on his debut and can put that experience to good use.
HADLEY (6.15) can claim a trappy five-furlong handicap for Tracy Waggott. The five-yearold was just denied by Highly Focussed over six furlongs here last time and can go one better back over the minimum trip.
DISPLAYING AMBER (7.15) rates a value bet in the 32redsport. com Handicap. Ben Haslam’s filly was a fair third to Swissie over five furlongs here in last month’s handicap bow and looks open to plenty of improvement over six.