IN THE BOX Springfield revival set to continue
SPRINGFIELD FOX is fancied to give his rivals the brush off in today’s Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
Tom George’s seven- year- old looked a natural over fences with a 12-length chasing debut win at this afternoon’s venue last January, and was just as emphatic – this time by 17 lengths – at Exeter in February.
Plenty went wrong for my selection in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Ridden by the trainer’s son Noel, Springfield Fox made a couple of errors before a mistake at the 16th fence saw them part company.
But a second- of- three pipeopener over hurdles at Chepstow this month will have sharpened James Bowen’s mount for his return to the larger obstacles.
And Springfield Fox has bundles of scope for further progress.
Fergal O’Brien can mark the best season of his training career by saddling ELHAM VALLEY to land the Grade 1 Coral Finale Junior Hurdle (1.40).
The grey was no great shakes on the Flat for Andrew Balding and John Gallagher, but he hinted at much better things to come when scoring over obstacles at Sandown 22 days ago.
An early casualty in the final race of Newbury’s Ladbrokes Trophy undercard, MOONLIGHTER has plenty going for him as he seeks compensation in the Watch Racing For Free At Coral Handicap Chase (1.05).
At Kempton, Nicky Henderson is in line for an ITV double – capped by headline act ALTIOR in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase (2.30).
Henderson’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero SHISHKIN created some impression over course and distance on his bow over fences.
And it will be a shock if he doesn’t add the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (1.20) to his CV.