Fine Form
Paul Nicholls has always thought the world of
Henri The Second HX – 1.51
and he can improve the trainer’s remarkable strike-rate at Hexham in the Weatherbys ‘Chasing Excellence’ Beginners’ Chase.
The former champion has only ever sent five runners on the almost-700 mile round trip to the picturesque north-east venue from his Ditcheat base, but four of them have won.
Henri The Second was talked of in glowing terms by Harry Cobden when he ploughed through heavy ground last December and he was sent off favourite for a big handicap at the same track in February when beaten into second.
Unplaced in the Pertemps Final when last seen, he will be more robust now then when tackling fences for the first time in November 2023 when last of four, looking far from a natural.
The going will be as he likes it and while this is far from a penalty kick, he should oblige.
Alan King also has a runner on the card and can taste success with
Betterforeveryone HX – 2.26
in the B K Racing Long Distance Handicap Chase.
An out-and-out stayer, he won over four miles at this venue in March but showed he was versatile when winning over three miles at Bangor on his seasonal reappearance.
The handicapper only raised him 3lb, we know he handles testing ground and this almost four-mile trip is no issue.
Excelero WA – 12.55
showed enough on his chasing debut to suggest he might be tough to catch in the Warwick Supports Our Farmers Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Warwick.
Warwick is a good track for front-runners as the succession of fences down the back straight come thick and fast and if the leader meets them all on a decent stride, they can be away and gone.
Excelero was just a bit too fresh on his chasing debut, leading to two out before the classy pair of Wade Out and Wendigo took over.
He is the lowest-rated of three runners but if he gets loose on the front end, he could be hard to peg back.
Harry Derham has had
Jackpot Cauveliere WA – 2.00
entered up in a few places in recent days but has plumped for the PricedUp Novices’ Hurdle.
He won his only point-to-point by 20 lengths and changed hands for #100,000, so big things will be expected.
Olly Murphy’s
There Runs Mary FF – 1.05
achieved a decent level of form in bumpers and starts her new career in the tigerbet.co.uk New Betting Site Maiden Hurdle at Ffos Las.
She has shown she can handle soft ground and should outclass her rivals.
Murphy could also be on the mark with
Gee Force Flyer FF – 2.10
in the tigerbet.co.uk New Bookmaker Maiden Hurdle following a promising debut.
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