BAULT CAN VAULT TO SUCCESS

JOIN the winning train aboard THIBAULT (3.20) when he bids for a hat-trick of wins over hurdles in the feature Friends and Family Remembering Norman Sharpe Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton this afternoon.

A winner of three of his last four starts over timber, culminating in a seven-length win over two-and-a-half miles at the East Sussex track, this lightly raced nine-year-old has really got the bit between his teeth.

And with Ben Ffrench Davis taking 7lbs off his back, he is actually a pound lower in the ratings today.

The drop in distance is of no concern as my nap selection has plenty of natural pace and showed that he remains in good form with a couple of fair runs over a mile-and-a-half on the Flat. Add to the equation that his biggest rival Just the Man struggles to jump fluently and Stratford winner Sergeant needs to produce a career best by some way and the bay gelding should prove very hard to beat. BAREST OF MARGINS (3.50) ran into a fair sort in White Turf last time out at Bangor when a distant second but off the same mark and under a feather weight, the six-year-old is the one to beat in the Strong Flavours Catering Handicap Chase. The selection still has a bit of room to improve his fencing but an opening victory under rules looks likely here, particularly now that Coal Stock is a non-runner.

Earlier on, the four-year-old gelding LUSAKA (1.50) can teach his elders a lesson in the opening maiden hurdle, while a second wind operation may well be the key to INVICTUS DE BRION (4.50) landing the closing bumper.

At Hamilton, SIMPLE STAR (4.00) finished eight lengths behind

Clan Jack at the beginning of June but on 14lbs better terms, I strongly fancy the Iain Jardine runner to reverse that form.

The key to his chance is jockey David Allen getting him to relax during the first half of the race.

Once that has been achieved, I expect the fouryear-old to secure a second career success on his 15th start.

But an even better value bet at the Bothwell Road track could come in the form of GOLDEN RAINBOW (3.00).

In a competitive race for this class five level, the three-yearold can build on his comeback run behind Monsieur Kodi at Carlisle at the beginning of August.

An impressive winner

of the race last year,

EASY GAME

(4.40) can successfully defend his title in the feature Kerry Group Chase at Listowel.

This classy eight-year-old should hit his peak this year and may have too much speed for veteran stablemate Kemboy and Call Me Lyreen.