Lake can make a splash again

Hammersly Lake can be relied upon to resume winning ways in the grandnational2017.com Novices’ Chase at Doncaster.

The Nicky Hendersontrained nine-year-old achieved a very respectable peak rating of 145 over hurdles.

He performed admirably in defeat in both the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival and a similarly competitive handicap at Punchestown in the spring of 2015, but fell on his chasing debut at Fakenham later that year and did not return to competitive action until nine months later.

A fine effort over timber at Market Rasen last July suggested his powers remained intact and he opened his account over fences in some style at the same venue in August.

He was a shade disappointing on his return from a short break at Chepstow, but raised his game to chase home Le Prezien in an Arkle trial at Cheltenham and there was not much wrong with his close-up third behind stable companion Top Notch at Ascot three weeks ago.

Hammersly Lake is the highest-rated runner in this field and, with the forecast suggesting a relatively sound surface in his favour, it looks a giltedged opportunity for him to hit the bullseye once more.

Stablemate Lough Derg Farmer should earlier have initiated a double for Henderson in the sunbets.co.uk Maiden Hurdle.

Winner of a point to point last May, Lough Derg Farmer was subsequently snapped up for £56,000 but failed to sparkle on his debut under Rules at Warwick at the beginning of December.

He was beaten a long way back in fifth but should have learnt a fair bit for the outing and can shape with more promise here.

Notte Illuminata could have been underestimated by the assessor in the 32RED/EBF Fillies’ Handicap at Lingfield.

The filly had two runs in France before being bought by Karl Burke and she wasted no time at all in opening her account for new connections and did not have to be hard ridden to win a Newcastle maiden over a mile on Tapeta.

Last time out she looked a good deal better than the runner-up, who brought a rating of 74 into the contest and went on to win next time out.

Notte Illuminata runs in this off 79, with the capable Jordan Vaughan, who was on at Newcastle, taking 5lb off.