Danse Idol to win back adoring punters with Grade 2 glory
- Danse Idol came unstuck on her most recent outing but can regain the winning thread today in the Weatherbys TBA Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Sandown.
Paul Nicholls had given his sixyear-old a range of options this weekend, and it is perhaps telling she goes for Grade 2 glory here rather than tackling a Listed alternative.
Danse Idol made an impressive debut over hurdles at Wincanton back in December but had to settle for second when upped in company
London
at Haydock before Christmas.
The ground was really testing that day - and while Danse Idol put in a fine round of jumping, she found Queenohearts a bit too sharp dropping back to 3800m from an extended 4200m.
That rival is in opposition again here, but Danse Idol has a 2kg pull for a 1.50-length defeat - a concession that should surely put her in the driving seat this time.
All eyes will be on Kalashnikov as Amy Murphy's stable star has his prep race for the Arkle Trophy at the Festival in the Kingmaker Novices' Chase.
This race has been re-scheduled after the meeting at Warwick, its traditional home, was called off last weekend because of the equine flu outbreak.
While Murphy would have preferred the race to have been there, or at least at a left-handed track, she is keen to get a prep run into him.
Kalashnikov may be better going that way round, but he did not run at all badly when second to Dynamite Dollars going righthanded at Kempton in December and when runner-up to Summerville Boy in the Tolworth Hurdle here last winter.
Carlos Du Fruitier can end a 15-month losing spell by getting his head in front in the Castel Royal Artillery Gold Cup.
Ben Pauling's charge showed plenty of promise early in his career over hurdles and has not been given the easiest of tasks in his races at the top jumps tracks in the country such as Ascot, Cheltenham and Newbury when switched to fences.
Carlos Du Fruitier has shown consistent form of late - and after being placed in his last four races, he can finally get that first win over the bigger obstacles.
At Fakenham, it may pay to side with Volt Face in the feature Tim Barclay Memorial Chase.
Paul Webber's 10-year-old has been knocking on the door on both his starts in January and looks primed for success. –
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