Muntahaa to have the last laugh
MUNTAHAA can make the most of a drop in class following a fine effort in the St Leger when he returns to Doncaster for his seasonal reappearance on Sunday.
The son of Dansili goes for the Adwick Kingpin Conditions Stakes, having taken fourth place behind Harbour Law in the world’s oldest Classic on his last start of 2016.
His trainer John Gosden had been concerned the St Leger might be a step too far, too soon for the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt.
That was only the sixth start of his life and he was making the massive hike to a Group One Classic on the back of a Listed handicap success at Chester.
The drop down to a mile and a half should not prove an inconvenience as Muntahaa won his maiden over that trip and he did have every chance at that point in the St Leger.
Gosden can also strike with Loujain in division two of the Purple Vouchers Maiden Stakes.
The son of Dubawi was sent off 3-1 second favourite to make a winning debut in a seven-furlong maiden at Newmarket in October and though he did not win after having been slowly away, he stuck to his task in promising fashion to finish third behind Makkaar.
He would just have to make normal progress over the winter to get off the mark.
Previous course-and-distance form is usually relevant on Town Moor and Flying Pursuit can make that count in the Rosnia May Godfrey Memorial Handicap.
Successful over this six furlongs in November 2015, Tim Easterby’s fouryear-old is never beaten far in his races and always does his best.
With a bit of luck he can register his first victory since last June at Ripon.
Clive Cox saddles an interesting contender in turf newcomer Flood Warning in the Yorkshire Wildlife Park Handicap.
The daughter of Pivotal, owned by Cheveley Park Stud, only made her debut at Lingfield in December where she was fifth in a seven-furlong maiden.
Since then, she has twice successfully stepped up in trip at Wolverhampton.
There is no reason why she cannot translate her form on to grass and her rating of 83 looks workable.
Gregarious looks to have outstanding claims in the Mitie Events & Leisure Juvenile Handicap at Ascot if his latest win is anything to go by.
Lucy Wadham’s charge got the better of Deauville Crystal by half a length at Sandown three weeks ago, since which the runner-up has gone on to land two decent prizes.
Value At Risk joined Dan Skelton’s stable with a tall reputation from Ireland and while he has not yet lived up to expectations, he has won a couple of times for the Alcester handler.
He was last seen winning at Bangor in October and can hopefully make hay in the spring, starting in the Geotech Soil Stabilisation Novices’ Chase.
An interesting jumps card at Fairyhouse features the Grade Two Normans Grove Chase, in which Ballycasey can give trainer Willie Mullins a sixth win in the race since 2010.
The 10-year-old grey has had a profitable campaign and made a triumphant return following a three-month break to take the Red Mills Chase at Gowran.