Vicente won’t duck the issue in Eider clash
that day so it was no surprise to see him hack up by 23 lengths on his first try over three miles back at the Sunbury venue.
That rout has earned him a 13lb hike but he scored with plenty in hand and he can keep his connections’ Grand National dreams alive with another serious performance.
SECRET INVESTOR (1.50) can maintain Paul Nicholls’ recent domination of the Pendil Novices’ Chase.
The seven-year-old landed a big timber prize at Chepstow in October before chasing home the promising Bags Groove in a Wincanton Grade 2 on his fencing debut a month later.
The gelding should be primed after another encouraging second over three miles at Warwick and can reverse the placings with his old rival at today’s weights.
FUSIL RAFFLES (2.25) can add his name to trainer Nicky Henderson’s Festival novice team in the Adonis Hurdle.
The Munir/Souede-owned gelding is yet to run in the UK but he showed some eye-catching form in the French provinces for the skilled Guillaume Macaire.
The gelding should come on plenty for the switch to the Seven Barrows Maestro who wouldn’t be running him in a Grade 2 first time up without a very good reason.
Henderson can also land the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle thanks to the hugely exciting ANGELS
BREATH (3.00). The five-year-old landed his sole point in Ireland then bolted up from some talented rivals in a Grade 2 on his timber bow at Ascot in December.
That is unlikely to be the limit of the grey’s ability and he can take a decent renewal of this two-mile contest en route to a tilt at next month’s Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival.
Team Nicholls can enjoy another big win with VICENTE (2.40) in the gruelling Eider Chase at Newcastle.
The 10-year-old is a dab hand in these marathons as shown by his impressive back-to-back triumphs in the Scottish National at Ayr in 2016 and 2017.
The gelding emerged from the wilderness when a fine third to Royal Vacation over 3m 4f at Taunton and can take full advantage of an inviting mark back over four miles.
Things look a lot less competitive at Lingfield where ENCORE D’OR
(2.05) should claim the Hever Sprint Stakes.
Robert Cowell’s speedster is a triple-winner at the Gatwick venue and looked better than ever when edging out Ornate in a competitive conditions event at Newcastle.
The five-year-old has performed with real credit at Listed level in the past and can confirm his superiority over his old foe back at his favourite gaff. WISSAHICKON (3.15) is even harder to oppose for Gosden and Dettori in the Group 3 Winter Derby. The son of Tapit landed the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September and stayed on the upgrade with two emphatic Listed victories over today’s course and distance.
The four-year-old looks a Group 1-performer in the making and he can show the cream of the allweather crop no mercy once again.
There’s no Secret about Investor’s chances in the Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton.