KEEP’ THE FAITH
NICK Henderson’s JINGKO BLUE (1.25) has been given a perch of 124 in the Virgin Bet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles at Sandown this afternoon – generous after his Newbury win in December.
In the bet365 Frodon Novices’ Handicap Chase over two and a half miles at Musselburgh,
MONMIRAL (1.40) makes the long haul from Paul Nicholls’ yard in Somerset.
Second at Cheltenham off a mark of 132 in December, IN EXCELSIS (2.00) can go one better off a rating of 133 in the Virgin Bet Handicap Chase over two miles at Sandown Park..
Gavin Cromwell sends PEACHES AND CREAM (2.15) on the short hop across the Irish Sea to contest the bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase run over four miles at Musselburgh.
Value Cruise
Having backed ED KEEPER (3.10) last time out at Cheltenham, it looked all over bar when the horse cruised into the lead approaching the last flight, but he crashed through the obstacle and ended up third.
The assessor has raised Sam Thomas’ improving sort 5lb to a ledge of 138, but the gelding will still carry my hard earned in the Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle over 2m7f at Sandown.
It’s very hard to look beyond
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (3.35) when he lines up for the Irish Gold Cup Chase run over three miles at Leopardstown.
Willie Mullins’ Gold Cup hero obliterated the field over track and trip in December.
BLACKJACK MAGIC (3.45) was in with every chance of winning at Ascot in December until trying to take the last fence home with him.
Before that, he landed the Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton. He can regain the winning thread in the Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase at Sandown Park under Rex Dingle. - JINGKO BLUE - COLONEL HARRY - ED KEEPER - BLACKJACK MAGIC
- MONMIRAL - PEACHES AND CREAM
This beast is crying out for this trip when a staying on fifth at Cheltenham in November over 3m3fs.
Looking at the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase over 2m4f at Sandown, COLONEL HARRY (2.35) looks the value the 5-1 price.
Jamie Snowden’s game creature scored over this trip at Wetherby last month and ran well over two miles at this course earlier in the season.
Having finished second over course and distance on New Year’s Day under a claiming jockey, BALLYGEARY (2.50) can grab the gold medal in the bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle over two miles at Musselburgh. Brian Hughes takes over in the saddle.
The shrewd Martin Brassil is running PANDA BOY (3.00) off a rating of 134 in the Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle over three miles.
My selection was second of 27 in a handicap chase over this journey on this course at Crimbo off a mark of 140, so he looks chucked in off his lower perch over the smaller obstacles.