JACOBS’ Crackers

TEO VIVO hit the mark at 5-2 last week on a Sunday badly hit by the weather. SUNDAY SERVICE AL REESHA has always been well regarded by Dan Skelton (below) and he can cement that view by landing the nap in the opener at Fontwell (1.00).

A couple of ordinary performances in bumpers were followed by an easy success in hock-deep ground at Ayr in February before a winning hurdling debut at Fakenham in October.

He will be suited by further but the heavy ground will make this a test of stamina and he can see off his rivals. Skelton should strike again with THEATREBAR in the 2.00, while the Brian Barr trained VEAUCE DE SIVOLA can deny that most famous of equine families a treble in the staying handicap chase at 2.30.

Willie Mullins’ YORKHILL should land his final warm-up race before the JLT Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Festival by landing a grade three at Leopardstown at 2.10.

But he will be no price at all and a better value wager on the card could come in the form of SHADOW CATCHER in the big handicap chase at 2.40, amazingly one of seven entries in the race for the in-form Gordon Elliott camp. Henry de Bromhead’s Stellar Notion is among the dangers. THE WEEK AHEAD DAKOTA CITY served notice that his turn was close at hand when coming home full of running at Wolverhampton last week.

Back down to a mark 2lb below his last success and set to race over his optimum trip tomorrow, he looks worth a play in the 5.00 at the Dunstall Park track.

ANTE-POST Time and time again horses return successfully to the Cheltenham Festival and following a more promising run in the Kinloch Brae Chase and with the news that Cue Card will now run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, I think that BLACK HERCULES is now the value for the Ryanair Chase at best odds available of 18-1.

HOT TO TROT DOESYOURDOGBITE was a disappointing sixth in the Lanzarote Hurdle but he is a stayer and 2m 5f on good to soft ground was too sharp for him.

Granted 3m on soft ground, Jonjo O’Neill’s improving young horse still has a very big prize in him.

SPIRIT OF THE VALE wasn’t suited by the run of the race at Kempton on Wednesday.

A true-run 10f will surely see him return to winning form this winter.