A FULL COURT PRESS
COURT LIABILITY (2.45) looks gift wrapped for Harry Whittington on Christmas Raceday at Musselburgh.
The five-year-old developed into an exciting novice hurdler early last season and bolted up at Hereford in November 2017.
Proven on a fast surface the upwardly mobile gelding can shrug off a 376-day absence on his handicap debut.
NENDRUM (12.15) can bag his third course success for in-form Sandy Thomson. The BY GARRY OWEN gelding was hacking up when falling at the last over course and distance and can gain compensation if fully recovered.
Kim Bailey’s THIBAULT (12.45) can deny promising rivals in the maiden hurdle.
Wind surgery seems to have been the making of this fiveyear-old who caught the eye when third in a strong Kempton novice on his timber bow.
ONTOPOFTHEWORLD (1.45) can enjoy a fourth victory of the season in the two-miler. Peter Bowen’s chaser improved again when beating the useful Darebin at Fakenham and remains nicely unexposed for his trainer.
Worthwhile bets at Lingfield headed by evergreen veteran HOW’S MY FRIEND (1.30). Grant Cann’s 13-year-old rattled off a hat-trick last season and can take full advantage of a workable mark.
CHIEF BRODY (2.00) is well worth a punt in the Weatherbys Handicap Hurdle. The gelding has improved markedly since joining William Muir and can build on his excellent second to Master Work at Warwick.
Thriving Colin Tizzard can land the veterans’ chase with BALLY LONGFORD (2.30).
The 10-year-old was a fine fourth in a warm three-miler at Cheltenham and can regain the winning thread dropped back to 2m 4f.
The powerful Hobbs-Johnson axis can strike in the lucky last with CIGARISI (3.00). Fairly useful as a novice, the hurdler should be fighting fit after a respectable sixth in a red-hot Sandown handicap on return.
Lucinda Russell expects One For Arthur to come on plenty for his brief comeback at Aintree on Saturday.
The Arlary handler is aiming the gelding at Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock on December 22 or the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby four days later.