Free ‘N’ Easy for Hill at Stratford
FREE STONE HILL left his supporters disappointed when only third last time out, but he can refill the coffers by landing the Askews Accountants Handicap Hurdle at Stratford.
Dan Skelton’s charge clearly enjoys the better summer ground, as both of his wins to date have come on good conditions and he is again set to have a sound surface as he bids to defy a career-high mark of 117.
The seven-year-old has hit a rich vein of form recently, beating the useful Wishfull Dreaming at Exeter back in April before adding victory at Stratford the following month.
He won by seven lengths on that second occasion but, saddled with a 7lb penalty for that verdict, Free Stone Hill was still beaten less than two lengths when third at Aintree later that month.
The race did not really pan out in his favour that day and it certainly did not appear to be his revised rating that led to defeat.
Back at a familiar track here, it is impossible to ignore his chances.
Scenic Star is an eyecatching raider for Irish handler Gavin Cromwell in the Angels Solicitors Handicap Chase.
He was a winner over an extended two miles and six furlongs at Uttoxeter early last month, but stepped up to three miles the following week, he could not repeat the trick.
Dropping back in distance again, Scenic Star is worth another chance after having a couple of weeks to get over his exertions.
Valseur Du Granval can make the long journey north from Tom George’s Gloucestershire base pay dividends in the Mackie’s Family Fun Day Sundae Handicap Chase at Perth.
He just fell short in a decent event at Uttoxeter back in May, being beaten just a length and half after putting some disappointing efforts behind him.
Given a short break since that outing, Valseur Du Granval should be well refreshed ahead of what appears a marginally easier task.
Peace And Co is an obvious choice in Southwell’s Vertu VW Mansfield Novices’ Chase.
The top-class hurdler made a winning debut over fences at Hexham last month and while he made the odd error, his jumping was largely sound and he won with eight lengths in hand.
He had oodles in hand of his rivals and even though he concedes upwards of 7lb to each of his three opponents here, Peace And Co should simply be far too good.
At the Curragh, Gordon Lord Byron can claim another big-race success in the Qatar Airways Minstrel Stakes.
A three-time Group One winner in his pomp, the nine-year-old lost his way a bit after winning this race last year.
Tom Hogan has got him firing on all cylinders again now though and his Greenlands Stakes victory earlier this term shows he can still do the business.
Wilamina can step up from her Nottingham Listed win to land the Group Two Kilboy Estate Stakes.
She will have to improve a fair bit to take the prize for Martyn Meade, but she is unexposed and clearly on the up.