TIME FOR COFFEY
HENDO HOPE HAS THE RIGHT BLEND
MISTER COFFEY CO (2.15) can grind his way to a first success over fences at Doncaster today.
It is remarkable that Nicky Henderson’s eight-year-old has never won over the big obstacles.
His chasing record includes being placed twice at the Cheltenham Festival and coming eighth in the Grand National.
Mister Coffey has a great chance to get off the mark in the bet365 Handicap Chase under James Bowen. He will be fitter for a recent run at Cheltenham and the good to soft surface at Town Moor should be ideal for a beast who does not like extremes of ground.
Prospect
Sue Smith has a nice prospect in the shape of CERENDIPITY (2.05) who beat some smart rivals to score at Wetherby 17 days ago.
The longer trip should bring about more improvement and he looks nicely treated off a rating of 119.
CLEAR WHITE LIGHT (2.40) bolted up over the course and distance recently and can follow up with claimer Dylan Johnston wiping out the 6lb rise in the weights.
At Cheltenham Harry Cobden must think it’s worth getting down to 10st 2lb to ride MADARA (1.15) in the Quintessentially Handicap Chase. Formerly trained in France, he has caught the eye on both his UK starts.
MALINA GIRL (2.25) cruised to victory at the November meeting and has been hit by an 11lb rise in the weights. Conor Stone-walsh takes off 5lb so a repeat performance could see the mare score again.
Winning
KERRYHILL (3.00), bought out of the point-to-point field for €134,000, made a strong impression when winning on his Rules debut.
He shaded Cadell that day in receipt of 7lb and the pair travel south for the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
The 10-1 about Kerryhill holds more appeal than the short price of market leader Shanagh Bob.
WINDTO THELIGHTNING
(3.35) is progressive and is marginally preferred to the tough stayer Coquelicot in the mares’ handicap hurdle that closes the card. She won with loads in hand at and can defy a theweights.