THE HILLS HAS PRIZE
HILLS OF DUBAI (3.15) can peak for Donald McCain in the Howdens Joinery Chase at Haydock.
The nine-year-old has taken well to fences with decisive back-to-back wins at Ayr and this progressive type will shrug off another step up in class.
Sue Smith’s ABSOLUTELY DYLAN (3.50) can call the tune in the novices’ hurdle.
The five-year-old has made steady progress since switching to timber and looks well treated on his handicap bow after beating the useful Pc Dixon at Newcastle.
UNTIL WINNING (4.20) can claim a trappy veterans’ chase for Tom George.
Still improving at the age of 10, the consistent gelding has been in sparkling form over 2m 4f recently and can come on again over an extended 2m 6f.
Evan Williams can enhance his cracking record at Chepstow with MARKET ROAD (4.00).
The eight-year-old hacked up in a decent course and distance handicap last time and remains unexposed over fences.
LADY KARINA (4.30) can defy a welter burden in the Newport County Handicap Hurdle.
Venetia Williams’s mare fell last time out at Cheltenham but she was highly progressive before that and can get her career back on track with a clear round.
David O’Meara warned that antepost jolly Lord Glitters may swerve Saturday’s Lincoln.
The trainer is worried about the prospect of soft ground at Doncaster and may switch the upwardly mobile gelding to the same day’s Unibet Mile.
Meanwhile, Michael Bell is bullish about Fire Brigade’s chances in the big mile handicap.
The handler reckons the progressive four-year-old has all the right credentials for the race and has booked jockey Ryan Moore.
Addeybb beat Fire Brigade at Newmarket last year and William Haggas is confident he’ll confirm his superiority on Town Moor.
The HQ trainer admits the Lincoln has been a long-term plan for the gelding who he expects to improve plenty this season.
Minella Rocco heads 73 acceptors for next month’s Grand National at Aintree.
Jonjo O’Neill’s gelding is top weight for the 4m 3f showpiece with antepost favourites Blaklion and Total Recall also standing their ground.
Festival Cross Country hero Tiger Roll heads Gordon Elliott’s challenge while Scottish interest is provided by Sandy Thomson’s Seeyouatmidnight and Stuart Coltherd’s Captain Redbeard.