There are 3 jumps meetings scheduled for tomorrow although Lingfield is subject to an inspection.
Surprisingly Junior is still a maiden over hurdles despite finishing a close third in the Coral Cup last season. He was perhaps just a little disappointing when 5th in the Persian War Hurdle at Chepstow on his seasonal reappearance and there is a slight question mark over him now. He stayed well on the flat so the extra distance tomorrow in the Exeter 1.40 should be OK for him. There might be a doubt about his ability to handle very testing ground as he won on good to firm on the flat. Any market support in this race for the David Pipe runner Another Display would be worth noting.
Oscar Gogo won a bumper at Kelso on his racecourse debut when trained by Howard Johnson and has shown bits of form over hurdles since without adding to his winning tally. He is with Liam Corcoran now and I am hopeful that this promising trainer will find a race for the 6 year old. As with Junior there might be a doubt about the suitability of very soft ground. He runs in the 2.10.
Nevada Royale won at Exeter over hurdles last season but had his problems after coming to Paul Nicholls with a big reputation from the point to point field. He has had a wind operation since his last run and may well start to fulfil his promise. It would be no big surprise if Nevada Royale turns out to be yet another Paul Nicholls world beater but if you want something to take him on in the 2.40 then Quickbeam might be worth a look. Trained by Venetia Williams, Quickbeam won 3 times over hurdles last season and the trip and ground should not present a problem.
In the 3.40 I fancy Sir Winston to step up on his moderate hurdles form now he tackles fences. He is certainly bred for the job being by Supreme Leader out of a Strong Gale mare.
Dancingwithbubbles looks nailed on to thrive in mares only novice hurdles. She won twice in bumpers last season and was then just caught on the line in a listed bumper at Sandown where she was shouldering a double penalty. She is my selection for the 4.10 where she makes her hurdles debut. Next best could be Liam Corcoran’s Romance Dance who was runner up to Dancingwithbubbles in a bumper at Folkestone.
In the opener at Sedgefield (12.50) I fancy Son of Flicka who chased home a decent horse of Howard Johnsons at Kelso last time, while the 3.50 could go to the highly rated Vivona Hill.
My selections at Lingfield are Mewstone (1.00), The Pious Prince (1.30) and Fidelis (each way in the 4.00).
Good luck
ahorse 