Watson’s hope won’t be fazed by longer trip

De Medici backed to follow up on impressive start over mile at Lingfield

DE MEDICI made a big impression on his racecourse debut at Lingfield last month and should be backed to follow up on his return to the track in the 32Red Casino Novice Stakes.

Archie Watson has made a fine start to his fledgling training career over the past couple of seasons, enjoying notable success on the all-weather with Absolute Blast and Petite Jack.

While it is too early to say whether De Medici will go on to scale those heights, the gelded son of Makfi certainly looked destined for better things when seeing off previous winner Completion on his introduction over the mile at this track three weeks ago.

He faces a tougher task on his second start, conceding weight to all but one of his rivals, but he appears an exciting prospect and the step up to a mile-anda-quarter should not be an inconvenience judged on his finish last time.

With the Cheltenham Festival less than a week away, the topically-named

PRESTBURY PARK gets the nod in the 32Red Sprint Handicap.

Mark Johnston’s inmate won twice on the turf last summer at Haydock and Chester respectively and went on to finish third in a valuable handicap at Newmarket in October.

He has not been seen in competitive action since finishing fourth on his allweather debut at Chelmsford in November, but the Middleham trainer has his string in good order and it is not inconceivable Prestbury Park could be better than ever having been gelded since we last saw him.

DE DOLLAR MAN disappointed at Wetherby last time but can redeem himself in the Injured Jockey’s Fund Novices’ Chase at Catterick.

Evan Williams’ charge was sent off the odds-on favourite on that run in January, but a mistake at the last cost him some valuable momentum and he had to settle for a one-and-threequarter length second at the line.

De Dollar Man remains a useful performer, though, and if he can avoid any jumping errors here, he should be in the mix. SELECTIONS: CATTERICK: 1.50 Young Tom, 2.20 De Dollar Man, 2.50 Kaloci, 3.20 Dica, 3.50 Floramoss, 4.20 Just Cause, 4.50 Indian Opera. LINGFIELD: 2.00 Presence Process, 2.30 Classic Pursuit, 3.00 Sea Ess Seas, 3.30 DE MEDICI (NAP), 4.00 Prestbury Park, 4.30 Exceeding Power, 5.00 Cliffs Of Dover.

DOUBLE: De Medici and Prestbury Park