Father and son have tasty chance in Mandarin with improving star Cobolobo

COBOLOBO is taken to build on a first success over fences last time to lift the Betway Mandarin Handicap Chase (2.25) at Newbury this afternoon.

Despite pulling up at Cheltenham in October on his return to the fray, the Jonjo O’Neillsaddled (below) seven-year-old was sent off the 9-4 favourite for a handicap chase over an extended three miles and one furlong at Haydock 24 days ago.

Ridden by his trainer’s son, Jonjo jnr, Cobolobo, who was refitted with the tongue strap that had been missing on his comeback – he wears it again today – justified the market confidence with a fivelength score.

Plenty of give underfoot clearly suits my selection, who has the improvement up his sleeve to overcome a 7lb rise in the weights.

A week on from lifting the Grade 1 Marsh Hurdle at Ascot with The Worlds End, trainer Tom George and owner Max McNeill have a strong chance of landing the Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap Hurdle (1.50) with gone close in handicap company on his last two attempts, beaten a neck at Wincanton in October before a three-parts-of-a-length defeat at Fontwell Park the following month.

Paddy Brennan’s mount is 6lb higher in the weights, but has had just four starts over obstacles – so there should be more to come.

Tom Lacey’s made a pleasing bow over the larger obstacles with a second to Earlofthecotswolds at Exeter at the start of the month, and looks well treated in the Betway Novices’ Handicap Chase (3.35).

The ITV cameras are rolling at Leicester, where

has plenty going for him in the Leicestershire Silver Fox Handicap Chase (2.40).

In the following Leicestershire Bronze Fox Handicap Hurdle (3.15), gained a cosy success at Sedgefield last time out and rates the value alternative to favourite Little Rory Mac.

At Lingfield, who has proved a model of consistence on the all-weather this winter, is set for another good account in the Betway Casino Handicap (2.10).