REPUTATION IS GRON
GRONKOWSKI (7.30) can enhance his reputation in the Road To The Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes at Kempton.
Jeremy Noseda’s colt made rapid progress as a juvenile and showed he would be even better at three when slamming the useful Loyal Promise at Newcastle last time.
I doubt we’ve seen the best of this classy son of Lonhro who rates a sure-fire improver up in grade for his skilled connections.
Denis Quinn’s ARSENIO LUPIN (8.00) can continue his revival in the 32Red Handicap.
The four-year-old showed the benefit of a wind operation when bolting up over course and distance recently and can follow up with a repeat of that effort.
WORLD OF GOOD (8.30) is a confident selection in the sevenfurlong handicap.
The gelding landed a serious gamble on his debut for Olly Murphy at Wolverhampton on Saturday and his skilled handler should have left plenty to work on.
VIOLA PARK (9.00) can go very close for Ron Harris in the lucky last. The four-year-old did it nicely at Wolverhampton two weeks ago and gets to race off the same mark thanks to Tim Clark’s 3lb claim.
Ante-post favourite Willoughby Court will miss the JLT Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.
Trainer Ben Pauling said the gelding would not recover in time from a recent setback and would be saved for targets at Aintree or Punchestown. Olly Murphy confirmed the exciting Hunters Call would stay over two miles in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Grand National hope Captain Redbeard is reported to be thriving by trainer Stuart Coltherd.
The nine-year-old has recovered well from his good second in January’s Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock although his choice of prep run for Aintree will depend on the weather.
The progressive gelding is one of 99 entries left in the Aintree spectacular alongside fellow Scottish raider See you at midnight and top fancies Blaklion and Total Recall.
■ Officials at Kelso have been forced to abandon Saturday’s ITV4-televised meeting.
Clerk of the course Anthea Morshead made an early decision to call off the fixture due to ongoing freezing weather.
But Morshead is confident the card which features the Kelso Premier Hurdle and Totepool Premier Chase can be rescheduled for next weekend.