LET’S GET READY TO ROCK
It’s hard to see past Dr Newland’s veteran
ROCK GONE (3.00) is worth a solid punt in the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase at Sandown.
Dr Richard Newland’s charge hasn’t seen much action for an 11-year-old but he is clearly talented as shown by his good
second to Go Conquer at Ascot in November 2017.
The gelding wasn’t sighted for a year but showed he retained plenty of ability when runner-up to Loose Chips over course and distance on his comeback.
That cracking effort will have put Rock Gone spot on for today and he can exact his revenge on his old rival with further progress likely over fences.
It’s great to see ChampionElect LAURINA (1.50) make her long-awaited return in the Unibet Mares’ Hurdle.
Willie Mullins’ star was magnificent as a novice last term with devastating Grade 1 triumphs at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse headlining a four-race unbeaten run. The six-year-old is unlikely to be fully fit but she is streets ahead of her three rivals on all known form and can begin her Festival build-up in the best possible way.
Colin Tizzard can enjoy another high-profile success with ELIXIR DE NUTZ (2.25) in the Grade 1 Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle.
The gelding didn’t look too special for Phillip Hobbs but has improved rapidly for his current trainer with a pair of decisive victories in high-class company at Cheltenham.
Both those races have worked out well and this exciting fiveyear-old can take the promotion to the highest level in his stride for his skilled handler.
MONSIEUR LECOQ (3.35) is the call in a competitive renewal of the 32red.com Handicap Hurdle. Jane Williams’ gelding has made steady progress over timber and bounced back from falling at Auteuil by slamming Chambard in a Ffos Las maiden last month.
The six-year-old is clearly well-regarded by connections and will take all the beating off an attractive mark on his handicap debut.
Henry Oliver remains in peak form and he can bag the BetVictor Novices’ Handicap Chase at Wincanton with
CALTEX (2.05).
The seven-year-old put in some sterling efforts for Gordon Elliott in Ireland and made an eye-catching UK debut when chasing home Ballyhill at Aintree last month. The seven-year-old will be primed after that encouraging effort and this promising type can go one better back on a right-handed track. EARL OF THE COTSWOLD S (2.40) can land the trappy BetVictor Handicap Hurdle for in-form Nigel Twiston-Davies. Promising in bumpers, the five-year-old has taken well to timber and stayed on gamely in the closing stages to open his account over 2m 1f at Carlisle last time.
The gelding remains nicely unexposed in this sphere and can take another big step forward over this extra four furlongs. THEINVAL (3.15) rates a value bet for Nicky Henderson in the BetVictor Handicap Chase.
The nine-year-old is a quality handicapper at best and stayed on strongly to take third behind
Ozzie The Oscar in a red-hot two-miler at Cheltenham.
The gelding has dropped to a very workable mark and can regain the winning thread back over 2m 4f on the likely decent conditions.
Monsieur Lecoq can rule the roost for Team Williams in red-hot hurdle test at Sandown.