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12.55 - Read Nicky Henderson's Unibet Blog Novices' Chase (Grade 2, 2m4f)
He wasn't foot perfect in his jumping and he very briefly came under pressure approaching the home turn, but it was hard not to be impressed by the manner in which ALLART came home on his chasing bow at Ascot five weeks ago.
He was a useful novice hurdler last season (fifth behind stablemate Shishkin in the Supreme) and it proved notable that Nicky Henderson sent him straight into a Grade 2 on his first foray over fences.
He was never stronger than at the line and should be well suited to this extra furlong, while all three career wins have come on soft ground. Runner-up Fiddlerontheroof did the Ascot form no harm with his Warwick second last weekend and with improvement anticipated now, the Seven Barrows inmate should be up to conceding weight here.
Given that Silver Hallmark only lost out in a head-bob behind the aforementioned Fiddlerontheroof at Exeter in November on his chasing introduction, Fergal O'Brien's charge is much-respected, while Ayr scorers Marown and Empire Steel will both win more races over fences in the future in all probability. The trio should ensure Allart is tested but he looks potentially very good and can make it 2-2 over the larger obstacles.
1.30 - Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2, 1m7½f)
November's C&D winner Llandinabo Lad has since run a fine second in a Grade 2 event of similar nature to this one at Ascot (soft) a week before Christmas. Having successfully given 5lb to all bar the winner in that contest, he commands major respect again despite once more shipping weight to the opposition.
This is very open though and the likely market leader is the only of the five not to have won last time out. The mares Nada To Prada and Anythingforlove are both progressive and seeking to complete hat-tricks, while Faivoir came right away from the field to win at Ludlow in a novice event 38 days ago.
The narrow vote goes to Donald McCain's MINELLA DRAMA. He was held in second behind Llandinabo Lad at Bangor in October on debut for this trainer but has improved to win well at Sedgefield and back at Bangor in two runs since.
The second and third from that easy success last month have boosted the form and he's very much a work in progress. He was conceding 5lb to Llandinabo Lad when they clashed in the autumn and, now 10lb better off, might well be able to improve past the market leader.
2.05 - Unibet Extra Place Races Every Day Handicap Hurdle (3m)
Having impressed on handicap bow at Sandown last month when third behind Portrush Ted, it was a disappointment that Farrants Way failed to build on that when favourite at Chepstow on their rescheduled Welsh National card a fortnight ago. This race is not as strong and Venetia Williams' charge isn't one to be writing off in haste.
The veteran Clyne showed he still has plenty of stomach for a mud-lark around this venue (dual course winner in 2016) as he finished second just before Christmas. He could go well, though he was a tired faller in that same Chepstow contest 14 days ago having made plenty of the running.
Nicky Henderson's Hijack remains low-mileage and, while beaten favourite in three starts this season, he could go well if the increased trip is an aid now.
CHEF D'OEUVRE chased home a subsequent winner at Wetherby over fences in early December in his second run back from a long absence. Sam Drake's runner handles testing ground and might be able to build on that effort now back over timber from the same mark, so he's given the nod to mount a challenge.
2.40 - Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2, 3m1½f)
Having twice disappointed last season when returning from a long absence for new trainer Venetia Williams, French import Royale Pagaille is quickly going the right way now. Owner Rich Ricci was said to be keen on sending a good horse to the yard and it looks as though he has done just that.
An easy winner in novice company here (2m5½f, heavy) on comeback in early December, Royale Pagaille travelled all over his rivals on handicap bow at Kempton's big Christmas meeting before cruising home with any amount in hand. He only had three lengths to spare but was seemingly in total cruise control. The handicapper has reacted with a 16lb hike but it is going to be very interesting to see if he handles it now with Tom Scudamore taking over for Ascot-bound Charlie Deutsch. He's the key piece of this jigsaw.
Sam Brown started favourite for the Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot in February after impressive wins at Lingfield and here (2m4f, heavy). Things didn't work out for him that afternoon in a testing three-miler but he returned at Carlisle in November with a good run in third behind Imperial Aura in the Listed Colin Parker Chase and has valid claims now making his handicap bow. A mark of 152 is no gimme but there may be a big run in him sporting a new tongue-tie.
Sam's Adventure, Lamanver Pippin and Acey Milan can be given place claims but, at a decent price, SMOOTH STEPPER earns the nod.
The veteran is just 4lb above the mark from which he won a Grand National Trial here last February over further. His reappearance at Sandown on good ground was promising and he can be forgiven a lesser showing since in the Becher Chase at Aintree. Very testing ground here will be to his liking and he could take home a share of the spoils.
3.15 - New One Unibet Hurdle (Grade 2, 1m7½f)
A race named in honour of four-time winner The New One and his trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, took last year's renewal with Ballyandy. He rattled home under pressure to take the measure of the seemingly strong-travelling favourite Pentland Hills.
That rival endured a tough season all round and hasn't been sighted since running down the field in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in the spring (one place and three lengths behind his Haydock conqueror).
The venerable Ballyandy, meanwhile, has danced plenty of dances this season already. Second in the Welsh Champion at Ffos Las, second in the Greatwood at Cheltenham, a close third back there in the International Hurdle in December and then some 15-lengths third in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton most recently. That race probably didn't see him to best effect and this excellent barometer could take some beating now if putting his best foot forward yet again.
We haven't seen dual Champion Hurdle hero BUVEUR D'AIR since he finished second (and lame) in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle 420 days ago. There were excuses for that odds-on reverse but he had fallen earlier that year in his quest for a Cheltenham hat-trick in the big one and his spring-time tussles with Supasundae at Aintree and Punchestown hinted he was perhaps regressing.
Is he going to be the horse he once was after his setback? That remains to be seen but the fact that Ballyandy must give him 6lb today and his proven form on heavy ground is enough to ensure Nicky Henderson's charge gets the verdict.
Navajo Pass brushed aside a modest field at Musselburgh on New Year's Day off a mark of 142 (rider claimed 7lb) and he's a five-year-old with his best days ahead of him. If the favourite does misfire on this return, Donald McCain's charge might give Ballyandy plenty to think about.
3.50 - Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap Chase (2m)
Le Coeur Net came unstuck in his hat-trick bid at Chepstow in early December. That was a third run in quick succession, however, and perhaps the short break will see Anthony Honeyball's charge back firing now. He's got claims in that scenario.
It's a long while since Reivers Lad made a winning chase debut at Newcastle (2m½f, good to soft) but the Nicky Richards inmate needs a look on return from 772 days out.
Zuckerberg ran a better race last time at Catterick and may be on a workable mark for the Jennie Candlish team, while Destined To Shine has to rate a key player after his second over C&D five weeks ago. He's running from the same mark here and should play his part again on ground that will suit.
BLACK PIRATE is a veteran of only seven starts under rules and he came back after a layoff/wind operation with a solid third at Newcastle (2m½f, soft) in December on his first encounter with fences. The cheekpieces sported then are retained and he's entitled to take a step forward on that showing. He's also a heavy-ground bumper winner and can go well under Danny McMenamin's 3lb claim.
4.20 - Unibet Casino Deposit 10 Get 40 Bonus Handicap Hurdle (1m7½f)
A 10lb rise for his victory Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) in November poses a questions for Imperial Acolyte. Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge is certainly rebuilding his confidence following a series of mishaps over fences but he's opposable down in trip from this new perch.
Fearless has shown plenty of promise as a novice over timber. Olly Murphy's charge can make a splash in handicaps before long. He comes here for his first foray in this sphere on the back of a tumble at Ayr when last spotted but he's had 54 days to get over that and should have plenty of schooling done at home.
NEFYN POINT was second at Carlisle in November on heavy ground and that should stand him in good stead here. He's left alone on the same mark and Peter Kavanagh's 10lb claim could be very useful now. He just missed out on a first winner under rules at Newcastle in midweek and gets another opportunity to impress for his in-form new boss now.
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