The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Melangerie can handle big step up in class
Racing: Henderson looks to have found good opportunity for charge to kick on
MELANGERIE can take a steep hike in class in her stride by winning the Weatherbys General Stud Book Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.
Nicky Henderson has employed a patient approach so far with this sixyear-old, allowing her to build her confidence with a couple of novice hurdle wins at Ludlow after she surprisingly fell short on her first two outings over obstacles.
Melangerie was particularly impressive under a penalty last time, looking really good value for the official winning margin of three-and-a-half lengths.
She is clearly progressing now she has got the hang of things and this Grade Two looks just the right kind of target for her, with testing conditions holding few fears.
Paul Nicholls and Jody Sole can combine to good effect once again with ORBASA in the Castel Royal Artillery Gold Cup.
The pair teamed up to win this prize with Cowards Close in 2015 and Orbasa has plenty in his favour here, not least the fact he is the highest-rated runner in the field.
POSITIVELY DYLAN can regain the winning thread in the Lycetts Farm And Estate Insurance Brokers Novices’ Chase at Fakenham.
A winner at Wetherby on his penultimate start, he fell at Haydock just a week later but this represents a drop in class.
SELECTIONS
FAKENHAM: 1.40 Hurricane Rita, 2.10 Positively Dylan, 2.45 Benechenko, 3.20 Jarlath, 3.50 Drumlee City, 4.25 Foxcub, 4.55 Melekhov.
SANDOWN: 1.20 Gassin Golf, 1.50 Tara Bridge, 2.35 MELANGERIE (NAP), 3.00 Orbasa, 3.30 Mister Malarky, 4.05 Step Back, 4.35 Broken Quest.
DOUBLE: Melangerie and Orbasa