FESTIVAL OF SIGHTS
ACHILLE (4.0) can boost Festival finances in the William Hill Handicap Chase at Taunton.
Venetia Williams’s grey has been in the form of his life and improved again when outbattling
Scotchtown at Sandown. The nine-year-old was staying on strongly at the end of a stiff three miles and can follow up over an extra four furlongs.
Jeremy Scott is hitting form so UR THE ONE THAT I WANT (2.30) can shade a trappy BY GARRY OWEN opener. The six-year-old kept on gamely to score over 2m 5f at Kempton and this unexposed hurdler should relish the step up to three miles. SMARTY WILD (4.30) can complete a hat-trick for the thriving Philip Hobbs–Richard Johnson combination. The five-year-old slammed Midnight Midge on his handicap bow at Exeter and remains open to plenty of progress over timber. There are some cracking bets at Stratford headed by LE
CAPRICIEUX (2.40). Gary Moore’s chaser improved for the drop to two miles when bolting up at Fontwell and can defy a stiff hike.
NESTERENKO (3.10) can open his account for Team Williams over fences at a very fair price.
The 10-year-old showed some reasonable form in novice chases in 2017 and will be primed after a decent spin over timber at Newbury. DINO
VELVET (3.40) can maintain Alan King’s winning run in the feature handicap hurdle.
The gelding is a smart performer at best and can shrug off a 7lb penalty for slamming
Eskendash at Market Rasen. In-form Williams can also strike at Plumpton with
LONGHOUSESIGNORA (3.20). The mare plugged on well for second behind the useful Viva
Vittoria over 2m 4f at Market Rasen and should be even better over three miles. Lucy Wadham is thriving and can add to her tally with SHANTUNG (3.50).
The six-year-old has made rapid headway over hurdles and remains open to progress after her good third to Yellow Dockets in a warm Warwick novice.
PRESS GANG (4.55) can make a successful handicap debut for Harry Fry in the lucky last.
The six-year-old wasn’t too bad on the Flat and showed enough in three novice starts to suggest he can do plenty of damage for his shrewd handler.