RENE LADY’S CHOICE
RENE’S GIRL (4.05) will take all the beating in the Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase at Huntingdon.
Dan Skelton’s charge built on her good third to Lady Buttons at Bangor in November when absolutely bolting up from Song Saa in Listed company at Doncaster last month.
The form of that contest has worked out well and the classy eight-year-old can take another big step forward in her new career.
WALSINGHAM GRANGE (2.55) can claim a trappy handicap hurdle for trainer Pam Sly. The five-year-old put in his best performance to date over timber when cosily beating Rebel Collins at Bangor last time and remains fairly treated at this stage.
At Sedgefield, INSTANT REPLAY (3.20) can take a competitive novice chase for Brian Ellison.
The six-year-old stayed on strongly to make a winning fencing debut here last time and can come on plenty upped two furlongs.
DELEGATE (3.55) can add the feature handicap hurdle for thriving handler Keith Dalgleish.
The gelding showed the benefits of a wind operation when hacking up over fences at Musselburgh and can follow up off an inviting timber mark.
■ Trainer Alan King is bullish about Redicean’s chances in Saturday’s Adonis Hurdle at Kempton. The unbeaten juvenile is thriving on the gallops and the handler is confident he can book his place in the Triumph with another big performance in the Grade 2.
Redicean figured among a strong entry for next month’s Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham headed by ante-post favourite Apple’s Shakira. Hot favourite Samcro is still on track for the Ballymore while ante-post jolly Presenting Percy heads the declarations for the RSA Chase.
■ Colin Tizzard is yet to decide on Cue Card’s ultimate Cheltenham Festival target.
The trainer reckons the gelding is as good as ever at 12 after his fine second in last Saturday’s Ascot Chase and could still go for the Gold Cup instead of the Ryanair Chase.
However, Tizzard will be represented by Fox Norton in the Ryanair after he ruled the classy gelding out of the Champion Chase.
■ Jessica Harrington has said that Our Duke could bid for a repeat success in April’s Irish National at Fairyhouse after running in next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.