SOLID AS A ROC
Jeremy Kyle’s ace can top ratings
GLEN ROCCO (3.35) can hit the jackpot for celebrity owner Jeremy Kyle at Kempton today.
A rapid improver, he looks tailor-made for success in the 888Sport Handicap Chase.
This £100,000 contest is typically competitive but Glen Rocco looks capable of coping with a 13lb rise in the weights after a runaway victory over the course and distance last month.
Nick Gifford has ambitious plans for the eight-yearold with entries at both Cheltenham and Aintree and today is viewed as a stepping stone. His trainer says he will relish the good ground.
Two others who will appreciate the dry ground are Romain De Senam and Talkischeap. The latter is a very useful novice with some classy form.
The Adonis Juvenile Hurdle is full of unexposed types and PRAECEPS (2.25) looks overpriced at around the 12-1 mark.
Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson take the wraps off promising newcomers but the selection impressed at Market Rasen and his experience will be crucial.
He could be an ideal type for the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival as he stays very well.
NOT THAT FUISSE (1.15) bolted up on decent ground at Taunton and has been raised only 4lb.
He will take all the beating in the opener at the Sunbury track while ANOTHER CRICK (4.10) can take the step up in trip in his stride.
It is barely believable that the Eider Chase at Newcastle will be run on good to soft ground, rather than the usual heavy conditions.
That will hamper last year’s winner Baywing who needs deep ground to show his best form.
A chance is taken with the veteran HARRY THE VIKING
(2.40) who won the Borders National over four miles at Kelso and will relish the drying ground. At odds of
25-1 he is a sporting each-way punt.
Phil Kirby has had a mixed week with the acquisition of Blaklion followed by a fatal injury to Magic Dragon at Wetherby when set to win.
But his horses continue to run well and he has a chance of a treble at Gosforth Park with NIVEN
(2.10), LADY KYRIA
(3.20) and ZIG ZAG
(3.55).
BALLY CONOR (5.05) is another fancy in the north east. He ran better than his finishing position suggests last time out and could go off at a decent price.
WISSAHICKON (3.15) looks like a penalty kick in the Winter Derby at Lingfield but you won’t get rich backing him.
The best bet of the day is at Chepstow where promising stayer SAMBURU SHUJAA (3.40, nap) can follow up a very impressive course victory.