RACING Noble To Rule At Hereford
IVILNOBLE can claim a first career victory in the Westons Cider Novices’ Handicap Chase at Hereford.
The seven-year-old has yet to fire this season, finishing only one of three races run when fifth of seven in a novice handicap chase at Leicester in December.
That effort saw him only five lengths behind the winner, however, with the first two home stepping up to graded contests since.
The gelding can also be forgiven for pulling up in another novice handicap chase at Aintree in October, as he was reported to have lost both hind shoes afterwards.
His most recent effort suggests he has more to offer too, after the Charlie Mann-trained gelding travelled well for a long way at Wincanton and was challenging when blundering at the last flight and unseating his jockey.
Both that Wincanton run and the Aintree performance were over the same three-mile-one-furlong trip he faces here, with Hereford also likely to match the soft going he seemed to cope with previously.
Wayfinder can give weight all round in the Central Roofing Novices’ Handicap Hurdle to continue the turnaround in fortunes of trainer Rebecca Curtis.
Lisnagar Oscar gave the Newport handler a much-needed big-race triumph in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and Joe Farrell was a fine third in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter.
The lightly-raced Wayfinder can build on his promising when sixth at Warwick last month and should not be far away.
Skyhill can get back to form in the Belhaven Brewery Handicap Hurdle at Kelso after his four-race winning run came to an end with defeat at Newcastle.
Two of those four victories came at the Borders venue and a third win of the season beckons in this stamina test for the Alison Hamilton’s seven-year-old.
Elsewhere on the card, Cultram Abbey goes to Kelso a fresh horse after a light campaign when he lines up for the Buy New Timeform Horses To Follow Handicap Chase, run over an extended two and three-quarter miles - and behind closed doors.
The 13-year-old was fifth at this track on his only outing over the winter in December after being on a break since May.
Nicky Richards’ veteran seems sure to win his race as he has won twice at the course and is a regular there.
At Southwell, Silent Steps can defy a 7lb penalty for a recent course success in the Toalsbet Handicap Chase.
Thar victory earlier this month came over half a mile shorter, but Neil King’s nine-year-old showed no signs of stopping when coasting home by nine lengths from Nesterneko.
Silent Steps had plenty in hand and looks a good bet to follow up if he is in the same form.