Take Show to strike gold

Gold Show must have an excellent chance of winning over hurdles at the fifth attempt when she is sent into battle at Catterick.

The Edwin Tuer-trained mare has hardly sent shockwaves throughout the racing world since her transition from moderate Flat performer to novice hurdler.

That said, her most recent effort over course and distance must give Tuer great optimism of a big show in the Cheltenham Preview Evening February 28th Handicap Hurdle.

Gold Show travelled kindly for regular jockey Tony Kelly, having previously unluckily been brought down at Wetherby over Christmas, and was only defeated by Getabuzz in a strongly-run encounter.

A lthough the form, at least on first glance, did not look anything special, the winner has since dotted up at Sedgefield, while the well-held third horse home, Mohawk Ridge, breezed 10 lengths clear at Carlisle on Wednesday.

Gold Show has shown a fondness for heavy ground, so there will be no issues on that score, while it is unlikely this race is teeming with quality.

Cheltenham Festival winner Son of flicka looks the one in the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

It seems an age since the 10-year-old defeated Get Me Out Of Here by three and a half lengths in the Coral Cup in March 2012, such was his steady decline for previous connections.

Now with North Yorkshire trainer Tony Coyle, Son Of Flicka has made a satisfactory start back under the chasing regime and was a good second over course and distance on NewYear’s Day.

Coyle’s inmate jumped pretty well that day and only went down by a length and a half to Dungeel, who looks useful.

Son Of Flicka is probably unlikely to ever match his hurdling achievements over fences, but he has winning form on soft ground and is clearly coming back to something like a decent level of form.

Consistency has never really been TriGGerman’s forte, but those who rise from beneath the parapet may reap handsome rewards in the Weatherbys Private Banking Handicap Chase.

The 12-year-old has slithered down the ratings following a losing run of form which stretches back to A pril 2011, when he won a tight handicap chase at Cheltenham off a mark of 132.

Philip Hobbs’ inmate is 13lb lower for this assignment, which would probably be a moot point had he not shaped with a modicum of hope in a better race than this at Exeter last month.

Despite being 3lb out of the weights, Triggerman stayed on for fourth spot in a three-mile veterans’ handicap chase on heavy ground.

CATTERICK: 1.50 I Need Gold, 2.20 GOLD SHOW (NAP), 2.50 Son Of Flicka, 3.20 De Chissler, 3.50 Triggerman, 4.20 Star Lily.

PLUMPTON: 1.35 Slipper Satin, 2.05 Third Intention, 2.40 Clonusker, 3.10 Invicta Lake, 3.40 Freckle Face, 4.10 Hold The Bucks, 4.40 Millicent Silver.

DOUBLE: Gold Show and Triggerman.

Picture: PA. Splash Of Ginge, left, negotiates the last on his way to victory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.