Do Not Disturb can power to a rousing victory
DO NOT DISTURB (2.32) can terrify the bookies as Kelso waves goodbye for the summer.
The chaser has improved every time he has been sent up in trip by Rose Dobbin, giving Land of smiles a real fright on his first try at three miles at Perth last month.
The gelding then put that run to the best possible use when slamming Baron De Midleton on his second attempt here three weeks ago.
The South Hazelrigg raider wasn’t exactly stopping at the business end that day so he can send Nicky Henderson’s Haul Away home packing up another two furlongs.
The Seven Barrows Ace can pay for the petrol home with FRENCH CRUSADER
(3.07) in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.
The gelding was unlucky to run into the brilliant Epatante when last seen in the Gerry Fielden at Newbury back in November 2019.
The eight-year-old should still have plenty left in the tank so he can start to make up for lost time by taking this cracking contest.
LISSEN TO THE LADY
(3.42) can shade the Racing TV Handicap Hurdle for shrewd Kirk Yetholm handler Sandy Forster.
The tough mare built on some decent efforts when hacking up from Lord Condi over 2m 6f at the Borders venue last time out.
The seven-year-old wasn’t tying up in the closing stages that day so she can make light of a 5lb penalty over today’s gruelling trip of 3m 2f.
The novices’ chase is a real cracker for the time of year but I’m rowing in with David Pipe’s FIRST LORD DE CUET (4.17).
A quality hurdler, the gelding didn’t please everyone when only second to Getareason on his fencing bow at Hexham.
However, he ran well enough against an experienced rival and he can open his account in a first-time visor.
It’s brutally competitive at Uttoxeter but I like the look of NIETZSCHE (3.57) in the big handicap chase.
Brian Ellison’s gelding is a classy customer on his day and he hit back with a vengeance when battling to victory at Ayr a month ago.
The eight-year-old could be thrown in on his hurdle form after just a 2lb rise so he can follow up in a hot handicap.
HURRICANE ALI (5.42) can floor his rivals in the trappy closing two-miler.
John Mackie’s hurdler kept up his relentless rise when cosily denying the useful Phoebus Lescribaa in a fair event at Southwell.
I’d upgrade that effort as the gelding didn’t enjoy the clearest passage and he still has plenty in hand for his in-form handler.
Jump lovers are also well catered for across the Irish
Sea with another brilliant card at Punchestown.
Trainer Padraig Roche is a little underrated and he can land a decent prize with OUTSIDE THE DOOR (3.50).
The hurdler was better than ever when bolting up over two miles at Wexford and this extra half-mile can bring about a bit more improvement.
There’s also decent action on the level at Navan where I like the look of Aidan O’Brien’s BATON ROUGE (4.05).
The colt has run with real credit in maidens so he should make a winning handicap bow en route to Listed company.
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