Catching Pigeons: Gossip and tips from the gallops
The Catching Pigeons column returns with all the latest gossip and Saturday selections ahead of a big weekend's action.
Scarlet Dragon may have a fitness edge over Nicky Henderson's high class graduate from the Flat, Humphrey Bogart, in the Grade Two Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.
Syndicate head Henry Ponsonby predicted great things for this son of Sir Percy even before he made his debut at Glorious Goodwood as a juvenile, and he has done nothing but improve since that 40/1 third in what was a hot maiden.
He attained Group Three status for his Flat trainer Eve Johnson Houghton last season, and hopes are high he can reach a high level over timber for Alan King. His work and jumping have gone well, and he appears to have recovered from a small problem which prevented him from running a couple of weeks ago. Connections have the Sky Bet Novices Hurdle as a Cheltenham Festival target if all goes to plan and he wins well.
Ian Williams should have one of the main dangers to Scarlet Dragon with Michael's Mount, and he looks to have a great chance of landing the Betdaq 2% Commission Exchange Handicap Chase with the lightly-weighted No Ceiling. The eight-year-old has missed the worst of the bad ground this winter and has not seen action since hacking up at Doncaster in early December. Clearly at his most effective on a sounder surface, he will appreciate the drying ground and still remains at the right end of the handicap.
Acting Lass can maintain his 100 per-cent record over fences with victory in the Betdaq Handicap Chase. Harry Fry gave connections a choice of targets at this important pre-Festival fixture by entering him in the Pendil Novices Chase, and the trainer appeared to have found a good opportunity with the race conditions very much in his favour.
However, plan A has been well and truly stuck to, and this progressive chaser, who never seems to want to win by too far, can add to his wins at Ascot, Leicester and Market Rasen. Those victories were achieved over middle distances, but he looks sure to be suited by this step up in trip and may well need a more demanding stamina test with the ground drying out fast.
He has pleased connections in his work and is given the vote ahead of another three mile debutant, Josses Hill, who sports blinkers for the first time after a disappointing run behind Waiting Patiently at this course six weeks ago.
Monbeg Legend could prove the pick of Nicky Henderson's three runners in the opening Back Or Lay On Betdaq Handicap Hurdle.
A winner of his first three races of the campaign on a sound surface, he was quietly fancied to run a big race at Taunton last time but came up against the smart stayer Boite and had to settle for a runner-up finish. He is another sure to appreciate this better ground and his useful partner Ned Curtis takes off a valuable 5lb.
Vinnie Lewis justified plenty of stable confidence when winning the Sussex National in great style at Plumpton on his latest start and he should extend his winning sequence to three in the Betfred Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle.
This famous old marathon has a truly competitive look to it for this latest renewal, but Vinnie Lewis looks one of the least exposed runners in the field, despite the fact the handicapper has taken exception to that success and his previous runaway win at Sedgefield. Connections are more than hopeful he can continue to progress, however, and his stable remains in exceptionally good form.
Mr Owen should go well at a decent price in the Betway Winter Derby at Lingfield.
David Simcock has decided to step the former French-trained six-year-old up to a mile and a quarter for the first time since they teamed up in the autumn. He looks sure to appreciate this more demanding test of stamina, despite recording a win on the Deauville sand and three placed efforts over shorter trips for his new handler.
There is plenty of evidence to support his case from his performances across the channel, and he looks a sporting bet to reward an each-way investment in a very interesting renewal of a race which thoroughly lives up to its Group Three billing.
Ay Ay has Ryan Moore to do his steering for the first time and they look the answer to the Betway Casino Handicap. This marks his first appearance over a mile and a half, and he has been on good terms with himself with a win and second on his two outings since the turn of the year.
David Elsworth will be delighted to have Moore on board for the first time, and he should take full advantage of the 3lb he receives from Royal Reserve, who has a chance following the fitting of cheekpieces for the first time.
Shaughnessy can maintain Oliver Sherwood's fine strike rate in bumpers at Fontwell with victory in the Collect totepool Winnings At Betfred Shops Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race on Sunday.
The Rhonehurst trainer won a similar event to this with his very smart performer Puffin Billy a few years back, and there was plenty to like about this five-year-old's debut effort at Huntingdon over Christmas.
Sherwood's team have hit form over the past couple of weeks after a bleak winter, and he could prove the value bet to see of locally-trained fancies Black Lightning and The Flying Sofa.
And finally, Hit The Highway should go well at a decent price on his first appearance for the in-form Chris Gordon in the totetrifecta Handicap Hurdle.
His form tailed off after he made a great start to his career with his former handler Giles Smyly, which included a good second to the very smart Emerging Force on his very first outing since his arrival from Ireland. He has come down the weights a fair bit since then, and that past performance suggests another rejuvenated effort performance on the back of a change of scenery is not beyond him.
Related horse racing links
Next Off
Most Followed
MOST READ RACING
