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.
Catching Pigeons: Best selections
3.00 Ascot
3.35 Ascot
7.15 Kempton
Top Notch can see off the challenge of rising star Waiting Patiently and win the Grade One Betfair Ascot Case on Saturday.
Nicky Henderson has long planned to use this valuable prize as the stepping stone to the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and it seemed even more of a logical move after this likeable gelding's impressive win here in November.
Jumping brilliantly, he easily disposed of a talented field, headed by the subsequent King George VI Chase runner-up Double Shuffle. He ran out an emphatic winner of his latest start at Taunton, and his recent work suggests he has improved significantly since that win.
He has oozed class, and if he attacks his fences in the same manner as he did to achieve that previous course win, he will want plenty of beating.
Dame De Compagnie can give Henderson a flying start to what looks a potentially lucrative afternoon in the Ascot Schools Art Competition Novices' Hurdle.
A smart performer in her native France, she made the best possible start to her British career at Uttoxeter in November, but then disappointed at Cheltenham the following month. However, she returned home with a problem that day, and is now back firing on all cylinders - she is fancied to bounce back.
Both Top Notch and Dame De Compagnie have Cheltenham on their agenda, but Gold Present has Aintree as his target and he can defy top weight in the Keltbray Swinley Limited Handicap Chase.
The good-looking eight-year-old has really grown up this season and followed a comeback win in a good handicap at Newbury with an emphatic success over this course and distance just before Christmas.
Although this looks a much harder task with top weight on softer ground, he seems to have progressed for his two month break, and is given a narrow vote ahead of Kim Bailey's progressive Another Venture.
Kildisart is just preferred to Stowaway Magic and Fixe Le Kap in the Ascot Spring Garden Show Handicap Hurdle.
Ben Pauling predicted good things from this lightly-raced six-year-old this season, and he has done little wrong, finishing second either side of an emphatic win here in November.
The form of those three appearances looks very solid, and he is reported to have come back well from his mid-season break. His stable could not be in better form after a mid-season break.
Boite can maintain his 100 per cent record since a mid winter breathing op in the Grade Two Betfred Rendlesham Hurdle.
A versatile performer with good form on the Flat, Boite underwent the surgery after a solid second in a hot Pertemps qualifier at Wincanton, and he duly ran out an impressive win in the mud at Taunton on his return to action last month.
He remains in great heart, and could prove a solid bet in this interesting staying event.
Golan Fortune has been performing to a very high level for bang in-form Phil Middleton and he can see off the Henderson-trained mud-lover Chef Des Obeaux in the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.
He saw off Kildisart at Kempton on Boxing Day, and lost nothing in defeat when chasing home Topofthegame in a valuable handicap at Sandown two weeks ago. A repeat of that performance will see him go close here.
Black Ivory, a stablemate of Waiting Patiently, looks progressive and he is fancied to see off the challenge of fellow hat-trick seeker Noble Robin in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Series Qualifier). Well proven in the mud, his appearances have been well spaced out and he comes here a fresh horse.
Ruby Russet may not the foremost apple of Colin Tizzard's eye, but she looks worth an each-way interest in the Betway Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton.
She ran her best race so far when fitted with a tongue tie for the first time on this course just under a year ago, and she looks worth taking a chance on with the same apparatus re-fitted for this low key, but competitive handicap.
Lady Perignon can make it two wins from her last four starts in the Matchbook Fillies' Handicap on the all-weather at Kempton.
Although a winner over a mile at Lingfield, she looked as though the return to seven furlongs will suit after just failing to last out the trip in a good class handicap on the same course on her latest start. She still looks at the right end of the handicap, and promising 7lb claimer Jason Watson takes the ride.
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