RUSHEN TO A FINISH
CASTLE RUSHEN (2.30) looks rock solid in the Listed William Hill Novices’ Hurdle at Perth.
Nicky Richards’ horse ran another blinder when third to the brilliant My Drogo in a Kelso Grade 2 and was staying on strongly over 2m 3f so can deny a talented field up in trip.
DAKOTA BEAT (1.25) can bag a trappy maiden hurdle for Irish handler Gavin Cromwell. The six-year-old has failed to set the heather on fire in four outings over fences this season but was a fair novice over timber so can resume winning ways dropped in class.
The novices’ handicap chase is even trickier but I’m rowing in with PEUR DE RIEN (1.55).
Oliver Sherwood’s horse recorded a personal best when hammering Big Difference at Kempton. The gelding is nicely unexposed over three miles so he can defy a 6lb hike for his in-form handler.
Henry Daly’s FORTESCUE (3.0) can shade the competitive Phil Nelson Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old looked better than ever when bolting up from the useful Debece at Sandown. That race is working out pretty well so this strongtraveller can shrug off a wellearned 6lb penalty.
MCGOWAN’S PASS (3.35) rates the safest option in the two-miler. Sandy Thomson’s 10-year-old put in his best timber effort yet chasing home Albert’s Back at Haydock and is lightly-raced for his age so he strike down in trip under the skilled Oakley Brown.
BELLANEY GEM (4.10) can sparkle for shrewd handler Shane Crawford in the mares’ hurdle after the eight-year-old built on some decent efforts when hacking up from Tara Mill at Sedgefield.
Tim Easterby’s MOROZOV COCKTAIL (4.40) looks deadly in the amateurs’ handicap hurdle. The gelding shaped like his turn was near when second to J’ai Froid at Doncaster.
CHAMPAGNE LILLY (5.15) can give Nigel Twiston-Davies his customary winner at this meeting. The hurdler can build on her cracking second behind handicap blot Emmas Dilemma at Huntingdon.
ROUND THE ISLAND (3.25) and MOLINARI (4.0) are worth punting on the level at Catterick.