Kilbricken can storm home in Challow contest

Tizzard’s charge should be good enough to take prize

KILBRICKEN STORM should solve the conundrum that is the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

Colin Tizzard’s six-year-old has made breathless progress this season and ought to be good enough to land what is actually a trappy renewal of the Grade One contest, with five of the six declared runners being last-time-out winners.

Kilbricken Storm had to work quite hard to win a Grade Two at Cheltenham two weeks ago, but, even in spite of a tendency to hang left, it was reassuring to see him finish off his race so strongly.

That was his first start for Tizzard over three miles, which certainly bodes well with the Albert Bartlett in mind at the Festival in March.

And though this represents a drop back in trip, it should hold no terrors as he showed a bit of boot when an admittedly fortunate winner over two miles at Wincanton last month.

Kilbricken Storm has made a huge improvement since then and should be followed with interest.

TROPICS can continue to cock a snook in the direction of Father Time when he rocks up at Lingfield.

What trainer Dean Ivory would do for a few more horses in his yard like this old boy, who happily ended a lengthy winless run at Wolverhampton two weeks ago.

The nine-year-old son of Speightstown had threatened to take top spot throughout the autumn, but he made no mistake at Dunstall Park with a length-and-a-half defeat of Rajar, who is no mug.

Tropics has gone up 4lb for the sixfurlong Betway Sprint Handicap, but he has shown over the years he is capable of winning back-to-back races.

Moreover, Jack Duern’s 3lb claim will once again come in very useful.

ISAACSTOWN LAD can gain a nice spot of redemption when he returns to Haydock for a handicap hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs.

The 10-year-old looked destined to take a considerable hand in the finish over this course and distance a week ago, but fell at the seventh flight as the 6-4 favourite.

Assuming that slip-up has not left any psychological wounds, losses can be recouped on Merseyside.

MYSTIQUE MOON can help Charlie Appleby sign off a memorable 2017 with victory in the Play For Free At Sunbets.co.uk/vegas Handicap at Lingfield.

SELECTIONS:

HAYDOCK: 11.50 Du Soleil, 12.25 Jonniesofa, 1.00 Treshnish, 1.35 Isaacstown Lad, 2.10 West Of The Edge, 2.45 Federici, 3.20 Air Navigator.

LINGFIELD: 11.30 City Gent, 12.00 Tropics, 12.35 D’waterside, 1.10 Line Of Beauty, 1.45 Mr Mac, 2.20 Living Leader, 2.55 Elysian Fields, 3.30 Unit Of Assessment.

NEWBURY: 12.05 Nayati, 12.40 Royal Ruby, 1.15 Saint Calvados, 1.50 Huntsman Son, 2.25 Potters Legend, 3.00 KILBRICKEN STORM (NAP), 3.35 Rocklander.

DOUBLE: Kilbricken Storm and Tropics.