The Scotsman

Count on O’brien’s Karl Philippe to complete his hat-trick at Uttoxeter

- By GLENDALE

Karl Philippe looks set to complete a hat-trick over fences in the Exclusive Event Hire Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter.

The seven-year-old, trained by Fergal O'brien, has justified favouritis­m twice at Ludlow and a 10lb rise should not stop him from carrying on his winning ways.

He had to survive a couple of jumping errors on his latest start, but he was still too good for Quoi De Neuf as he showed a really likeable attitude to win by two and a quarter length – making in two wins in four chase outings to date.

Sainte Doctor can make it third time lucky after returning from a long break by taking the Patricia Smith Celebratio­ns Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

Neil Mulholland's six-yearold has finished second at both Fakenham and Warwick since a 218-day absence but should now be ready to win for the second time over hurdles, having struck at Newton Abbot in May.

Zestful Hope is a confident selection for the Watch Off The Fence On attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell.

Charlie Longsdon's five-yearold appreciate­d front-running tactics when making all at

Hereford in late January, to get off the mark on just his third career start.

He looks to be a late-maturing type as he did not make his debut until November, but the patience of his connection­s can continue to be rewarded.

Chanceux showed promise on his first run since being pulled up when third at Doncaster earlier this month and can go two places better in the At The Races App Form

Study Handicap Hurdle.

Alastair Ralph's six-year-old was on a hat-trick when losing his action at Newbury in January but shaped well on his first start for six weeks when taking minor honours behind Universal Folly. He had every chance until weakening after the last which suggests he will come on for the outing.

Stormy Ocean looked potentiall­y useful when winning unchalleng­ed at Newcastle in

January and is hard to oppose in the Watch Racing Free Online At Coral Handicap at Wolverhamp­ton.

The son of Frankel made all and did not give his supporters an anxious moment as he trotted up by three and three-quarter lengths from his Charlie Appleby-trained stablemate Blue Trail, who has shown the form in a very good light since.

The selection had shown promise in both his runs on the turf last summer and the three-year-old can go on to better things.

Najeeba got on the scoreboard in her third race when scoring at Newcastle in October looks on a handy mark in the Play 4 To Win At Betway

Handicap. The four-yearold filly, trained by Harry and Roger Charlton, comes from a good family and it is not surprising connection­s are perseverin­g with her as the best could still be to come.

Eloso can build on a good start for Robyn Brisland in the Betway Handicap.

Previously trained in Ireland, the four-year-old only managed to win once but was placed on multiple occasions and is a reliable contender.

He was only beaten a neck on his debut for Brisland at Lingfield at the start of March, giving the impression that a revised mark of 73 should be within his compass.

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