Just stick with Gumball at Huntingdon

RACING: Four-year-old deserves the chance to show his true colours

GUMBALL is fancied to rediscover the winning trail in the Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle at Huntingdon.

The Philip Hobbs-trained four-yearold looked a top-class juvenile in the making after winning his first two starts in Britain at Stratford and Chepstow, but was brushed aside by Apple’s Shakira at Cheltenham in November.

He deserves a chance to show his true colours on a course where conditions are frequently less demanding than elsewhere.

MAIN FACT bolted up on his latest visit to Sedgefield and must have every chance of following up on his return to the County Durham circuit for the Wills Property Services Handicap Hurdle.

Dianne Sayer initially campaigned the five-year-old on the flat after buying him from France for the relatively modest fee of 18,000 guineas, but three handicap outings last year were uninspiring.

His first few starts over hurdles were not much of an improvement, but his third-placed finish back on the level at Ayr in October was a big step in the right direction and that set him up perfectly for his return to the jumping game here in November.

Having been backed at big odds, Main Fact travelled strongly on his way to a facile success and now he has hit form an 8lb hike might not be enough to stop him adding to his tally.

QUICK PICK won over the course and distance on Boxing Day and can defy a penalty in the Betfred Novices’ Hurdle.

The son of Vinnie Roe was not scoring out of turn after placing on three of his previous four starts and there was a lot to like about the way he picked up in the straight to win.

SELECTIONS: HUNTINGDON: 1.30 Sunnytahliateigan, 2.00 First Du Charmil, 2.30 Dylanseoghan, 3.00 GUMBALL (NAP), 3.30 Bentelimar, 4.00 Dory.

SEDGEFIELD: 1.10 Main Fact, 1.40 Quick Pick, 2.10 Instant Replay, 2.40 Bulkov, 3.10 Hedgeinator, 3.40 Colby.

DOUBLE: Gumball and Quick Pick.