AVENUE GOING IN RIGHT DIRECTION FOR WINCANTON TRIUMPH

Lime Avenue looked a mare of some potential when winning on her racecourse debut and she can follow up in the Merry Wincanton Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Wincanton.

Owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, the daughter of Walk In The Park is a half-sister to 2016 Irish National winner Rogue Angel, so she should come into her own over fences and when given the chance to go further.

Her only run in public to date came at Chepstow in October in a mares’ bumper and she looked in a different league to her 13 opponents.

Paul Nicholls has wasted absolutely no time in sending her over hurdles, passing up the bumper route, and the five-year-old will take some stopping.

The further she went, the further she pulled clear and by the time Harry Cobden pulled her up, she had put 14 lengths between herself and the rest with little effort needed.

Emmet Mullins is beginning to be a regular visitor to UK shores and it probably speaks volumes about where he thinks he can win the most races. This time his cousin Patrick is joining him on the trip to ride Filey Bay in the Weatherbys Stallion Book Handicap Hurdle.

A winner just five days ago at Doncaster, he has a 7lb penalty for that success but could have won by double that and more such was the ease of his victory.

That was his debut for Mullins, his first run for over a year and his first foray into handicaps. He is clearly miles ahead of his mark and should he avoid the dreaded bounce factor, he looks a certainty.

Ben Pauling is enjoying a great first half of the season and another winner looks likely with Apple Rock in the Dale Hall & Hickman Associates Handicap Hurdle at Leicester.

A winner last time out at Southwell, he escapes a penalty as it was a conditional jockeys’ event, so is 6lb well in. With a strike-rate of 30% in recent weeks, Pauling’s string remain in great heart.