Space Bandit is just out of this world!
SPACE BANDIT has won each of his two starts at Southwell so far and he can further add to his tally in the sunracing.co.uk Handicap.
Course form is usually a big plus at the Nottinghamshire venue - with the Fibresand not suiting all horses - and Michael Appleby’s charge clearly relishes it, having won a maiden there in November before following up at the end of January.
Admittedly, neither race was spectacular - but he came home five lengths clear in an apprentice heat last time without really having to hit top gear, prompting an 8lb hike in the ratings.
That rise is partly offset by Theodore Ladd’s 5lb claim, and the unexposed Space Bandit can kick on again here.
Appleby could also be in the money with Epitaph in the Betway Live Casino Handicap.
The five-year-old does not have many secrets from the handicapper nowadays. But his current perch of 65 does not look totally beyond him, despite toiling in third at this track last week.
He won off a 10lb higher mark last year and perhaps just needs things to go a little more in his favour this time.
Nicky Henderson puts the finishing touches to Verdana Blue’s Champion Hurdle preparations with a spin on the Flat at Kempton.
An evening all-weather meeting might not be the most obvious place to find a true Cheltenham contender, but this versatile mare has proved equally as capable in both the Flat and hurdling spheres.
Her undoubted career highlight came last time out when foiling oddson stablemate Buveur D’Air to claim a shock Christmas Hurdle victor y, having previously finished second in a Kempton Listed contest on the level.
Spark Plug just did her for a bit of pace that day. But there was no shame in that defeat, given the winner had been placed at Group level and won an uber-competitive Cambridgeshire a few years ago.
Verdana Blue is clearly a pretty adept individual - and while her initial prep run was scuppered by the equine flu outbreak, the 32Red Casino Novice Stakes looks an ideal stopping-off point on the way to Prestbury Park.
Collate recently hit the mark at Lingfield and can capitalise on that in the first division of the 32Red.com Handicap.
A winner in France a couple of years ago, she has taken time to find her feet in Britain - but now Amy Murphy has found her level, she should be followed.
Just Minded is the choice in Musselburgh’s HGP And Partner’s 800 Homes Chase, following a fair effort at the track last time.
Now with Olly Murphy, Just Minded had one run for him before undergoing a wind surgery - an operation which appeared to have done the trick, given a fine second on New Year’s Day.