LAST MEETING REVIEW

Hermino AA gave the Moore’s their first of three wins in the opener. Jamie Moore kept the favourite prominent and he took him to the front two out. He kicked clear from Goodwin Racing after they bypassed the hurdles in the straight and wasn’t for catching. Goodwin Racing kept on to take second but he was only ever playing for a place. Shaw’s Cross made it two from two for the punters in our second. Paul Henderson’s eleven-year-old had been knocking on the door this season and finally put it altogether under Nick Scholfield to win by a length.

Poncho looked to be idling a little when he hit the front but was always doing enough to win the race. It was only his second start over hurdles so will be entitled to come on for the run, he’s a promising looking five-year-old who will no doubt be aimed at better races in time for the Moore’s. Suzy Smith’s Tapley ran a valiant race from the front and the two pulled a long way clear of the remainder. The feature race of the day bought up the hattrick as Jerrash stayed on best of all up the run in to claim the prize. It was his first start since March but he seemed to show no rustiness and there may even be more to come from him this season. He still remains unexposed and looks every bit a stayer in the making.

Our penultimate race went to Tom Cannon and Toby Lawes. Sublime Heights and Art Of Illusion fought out a brilliant finish in the straight, with the long time leader looking like he was just doing enough under claimer Dylan Kitts however Tom Cannon was not going to be beat and all his hard work was rewarded with a win in the shadows of the post. Two miles and nine hurdles awaited the thirteen runners in the finale and the race went the way of Inferno Sacree for trainer Nigel Hawke. The five-year-old was free going under Tom but it seemed to do him no harm as he bolted up by 20 lengths under an enterprising ride.

TODAY’S TOP TIPS

Nine of Jay Tidball’s 11 winners in the saddle have come for Alastair Ralph and the Shropshire handler provides the young conditional with another couple of excellent opportunities on Tap Tap Boom (3.00) and the rapidly improving Well Vicky (4.00).

Shot Boii is sure to prove popular after finishing fourth when on a four-timer at Ffos Las last month and the David Pipe inmate isn’t taken lightly. CROSSING THE BAR, however, appeared to be travelling well when brought down at Doncaster recently and if none the worse for that mishap, he could gain a first success of the season. Handicap debutant Dame Prestige makes most appeal of the remainder.

WIN: CROSSING THE BAR; DANGER: Shot Boii

HERITIER produced a solid performance on his return to chasing when third at Hereford and holds leading claims under useful conditional Toby Wynne, whose 5lb allowance could make all the difference. Dom Of Mary should have learned plenty from his first completed start over fences at Ludlow and is feared most, although C&D winners Fairway Freddy and En Coeur are others to note now that they drop in trip.

WIN: HERITIER; DANGER: Dom Of Mary

KLITSCHKO offered plenty of encouragement when second in a good race at Newbury on New Year’s Eve and in what looks a less competitive contest, Alan King’s five-year-old will take all the beating. Mardoof has posted creditable efforts in defeat at Wincanton and Uttoxeter and looks the main danger. Diamond Egg and Jack The Savage are the most interesting of the hurdling debutants and they can fight it out for the minor honours.

WIN: KLITSCHKO; DANGER: Mardoof

It wasn’t to be for Tap Tap Boom, who unseated his rider at Leicester in December when going in search of a hat-trick. A return to form isn’t out of the question granted a clean round of jumping, but it’s difficult to oppose the progressive GLOIRE D’ATHON, who beat a couple of subsequent winners at Sandown on his latest outing, and a 3lb rise for that victory could prove lenient. Sheldon might not be far away either.

WIN: GLOIRE D’ATHON; DANGER: Tap Tap Boom

Thirtyfourstitches was pulled up at Fakenham on New Year’s Day having repelled the challenge of Le Patron over C&D a couple of weeks earlier, and he might struggle to confirm that form on the revised terms. That said, a chance is taken on PRINCE IMPERIAL. The gelded son of Frankel achieved a peak rating of 96 when trained on the Flat, and his two runs over timber have offered encouragement of a future in this sphere. Kotmask is another to consider.

WIN: PRINCE IMPERIAL; DANGER: Le Patron

WELL VICKY shrugged off a quick turnaround when supplementing her Hereford success with a Bangor win on Friday and although she must saddle a double penalty, Alastair Ralph’s mare could still be ahead of the handicapper. Paddy’s Fancy looks fairly treated from an opening mark of 100, with Toby Wynne’s 5lb claim further aiding her chances. Citizen Jane hasn’t kicked on from a promising debut effort, but she must be of interest on her handicap bow.

WIN: WELL VICKY; DANGER: Paddy’s Fancy

Pick aplaced horse in races 1to6