It’s looking good for Bigbadjohn

BIGBADJOHN (Doncaster, 3.40) ventures into handicap company for the first time today, safe in the knowledge there is no Thistlecrack to contend with.

Trained by Rebecca Curtis, the gelding is a strong fancy for the Sky Bet Handicap Chase on the back of a valiant effort last time behind the Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite at Newbury and he does not appear over burdened by the handicapper.

The eight- year- old had previously beaten Our Kaempfer in a match at the Berkshire venue and, with that rival now rated 148 following a subsequent seven-length win at Kempton, Bigbadjohn’s mark of 136 looks lenient.

His jumping has been accurate in the main and the decent ground should play to his strengths. Out Sam rates a serious danger as this track will suit him better than Cheltenham, where his trips before Christmas were abject failures.

The addition of cheekpieces and the switch to a flat track at Kempton were catalysts to a better showing last time and he could be on the scene again.

Cheltenham stage a bumper nine-race card and COO STAR SIVOLA (Cheltenham, 3.25) could spring a surprise in the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle.

Trainer Nick Williams has his string in good order now after a quiet start to the season and I was taken with the selection’s performance in a warm handicap on New Year’s Day over course and distance.

Coo Star Sivola has a little to find with the main protagonists, but he boasts a great track record and the double-figure odds look insulting.

BRIAN HUGHES, second in the jump jockeys’ title race behind defending champion Richard Johnson, rode his 100th winner of the season on Mount Mews at Doncaster yesterday. Hughes is only six short of his best season in 2014/15.