Catching Pigeons gossip column for the weekend

MISTER COFFEY - 3.35 Sandown

Mister Coffey can see off the well-fancied Solo and make it three wins from four starts over timber in the Betfair Exchange December Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.

One of Nicky Henderson's best novices last season, his progress was nevertheless hampered by an overenthusiastic approach to racing. He was again very keen to get on with things on his comeback here last month, however, defeat was never on the cards and he made light of what was an admittedly a very generous handicap rating, with an impressive turn of foot from the last.

Things will be much tougher here with Solo in opposition but Paul Nicholls' highly-rated four-year-old, must concede 9lbs to his older rival, and that may prove just beyond him.

GA LAW - 1.50 Sandown

Ga Law has proved a revelation over fences this autumn and he can extend his winning sequence to four in the Grade One Planteur At Chapel Stud Henry VIII Novices' Chase.

This is a step up again from his runaway win in a Grade Two at Wincanton four weeks ago, but despite his tender age of four, he is the most experienced over fences in the field an if he gets in a his normal rhythm, he should be exciting to watch over the tricky fences in the back straight on Saturday.

He jumped very well with Gavin Sheehan in a solo effort over the schooling fences on Mandown on Wednesday morning and could prove the value in what looks a cracking race.

DARGIANNINI - 11.45 Aintree

Dargiannini can maintain his 100 per-cent record in the William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.

This looked another of owner Andrew Brooks' shrewd purchases when he justified plenty of stable confidence in a bumper at Sedgefield in October and the form received a boost when the well-beaten runner up Tardree went one better on his return to the Durham course a month later.

A half-brother to the more than useful Keeper Hill, the selection should handle this softer ground and his work on the gallops and schooling ground has been of a high order since.

DINGO DOLLAR - 3.15 Aintree

Dingo Dollar has not quite lived up to his early potential but is still young enough to win a big race and he should go well at a decent price if he takes to the Grand National fences in the William Hill Grand Sefton Handicap Chase.

Alan King has another live contender for this £64,000-added prize in Senior Citizen but Dingo Dollar looks nicely handicapped on his best form and is making his first appearance after undergoing surgery to improve his breathing.

This unique course can bring out the best in those we pundits refer to as "enigmatic" and if he does relish the challenge, he should could well reward an each-way interest. The lightly weighted Swift Crusador, representing the bang-in-form Samuel Drinkwater team, is another big-priced contender with sound place claims.

QUOI DE NEUF - 12.20 Aintree

Quoi De Neuf was a bit of an eyecatcher when third to Canelo here on his chasing bow last month and is fancied to go one better for Evan Williams in the Follow WillHillRacing On Twitter Handicap Chase.

A very good fourth in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham just over a year ago, he has been partnered by champion jockey Brian Hughes on his last two starts and it is heartening to see him taking the reins again.

CALETT MAD - 1.30 Aintree

Calett Mad is in good form and should go well at a decent price in the William Hill Becher Handicap Chase.

Although he has not seen action for around 21 months, and has yet to win over fences, he has shown plenty of potential and was a very good second to Impulsive Star in the marathon Classic Chase at Warwick on his last racecourse appearance.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has his team in very good shape now after a stop-start autumn and is more than capable of readying one for a big race after a long spell on the sidelines.

LOOK MY WAY - 12.55 Aintree

Look My Way can bounce back to his best after a long spell with injury problems in a competitive looking William Hill Handicap Hurdle.

The winner of the Chester Plate on the flat two years ago, he made his first appearance since running in the Northumberland Vase at the end of June of that same season when a respectable fifth to Ariverderci at Wetherby a little over a month ago.

John Quinn has given him plenty of time to recover from those exertions and he looks nicely weighted with Sam Twiston-Davies now doing the steering.

DOCPICKEDME - 3.07 Chepstow

Another well regarded inmate from the Whittington academy Docpickedme, a winning pointer in Ireland last season, delivered a promising debut effort when chasing home the highly rated Wilde About Oscar in a novice hurdle at Aintree last month.

He is expected to come on plenty for that outing, and gets a handy 7lbs from Lingfield winner Feed Your Brain oliversbookshop.co.uk Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow.