Catching Pigeons: Gossip and tips from the gallops including Jenkins in the Greatwood Hurdle
Catching Pigeons returns with a round-up of the week's gossip from the gallops including a positive word for Jenkins ahead of his Sunday return.
Best chances
12.40 Cheltenham, Saturday
3.30 Cheltenham, Saturday
3.00 Cheltenham, Sunday
Kylemore Lough can make a lucrative winning first appearance for Harry Fry in the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Fry has had this race in mind for the former Kerry Lee-trained gelding since he joined his Dorset stable in the summer, and connections have been delighted with a preparation for this first big handicap chase of the campaign.
Lee did remarkably well with the nine-year-old in his novice campaign and there were a couple of high-class performances last season, including a good second on his comeback at Ascot a year ago.
Although the handicapper has only dropped him a couple of pounds since that performance, the change of scenery, coupled with a bit of tinkering with his routine - including a trip or two to nearby Wincanton for a racecourse gallop - seems to have put a real spring in the selection's step.
His stable could not be in better form at present and, importantly, he has shown his ability to handle this undulating course.
Nicky Henderson loves to be a player in the juvenile division and he could have a live contender with Apple's Shakira in the opening JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial.
J P McManus paid a tidy sum for this full-sister to the high-class Apple's Jade, but she would not win too many prizes for her work at home.
She is very laidback, but her debut win in France was impressive and she seems to come alive on the racecourse. Gumball may prove hard to beat here, but Apple's Shakira could prove the value bet.
Rocky's Treasure merits each-way consideration in the Regulatory Finance Solutions Handicap Hurdle.
Kim Bailey's gelding progressed steadily throughout last season and produced a polished performance to end the campaign with an emphatic success at Ffos Las on his final start.
The form of that race has worked out reasonably well, and he is given a sporting vote to see off recent course winner Thomas Campbell.
Red Indian should go well for Ben Pauling in the Martin & Co Jewellers Intermediate Handicap Hurdle.
It is to this gelding's credit that he enjoyed a reasonable 2016-17 campaign because he was not himself for much of the year.
He took a useful scalp in Jameson to break his duck over timber at Ffos Las in December and did well to chase home the very much improved Golden Birthday after a spell on the sidelines with illness in the spring.
Although sure to come on for this run, his trainer is more than hopeful he has Red Indian back on track and he should underline the point with a big run in a very open race.
The turf season may be over, but there are still a few nice juveniles to play on the all-weather and Clive Cox fields an interesting one at Wolverhampton.
It's A Wish is a full-sister to Prix Maurice du Gheest winner Signs Of Blessing and is expected to make her presence felt on her debut in the 32Red Casino Fillies' Novice Stakes.
Jenkins is just preferred to the well-fancied Mohaayed in the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday.
A high-class bumper performer two seasons ago, he did not come up to expectations in novice events last season when his jumping was a big problem.
However, the Henderson team have done a lot of work in that department with the result that his recent schooling has been much quicker and slicker.
He looks well weighted on the quality of his homework and there are some high-class performers to work with on the gallops at Seven Barrows.
River Wylde, a stablemate of Jenkins, jumped really well on his debut over fences at Uttoxeter and looks ready for the step up in grade in the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices Chase.
One of the leading novice hurdlers last season, he has come on for his exertions at the Staffordshire course and looks ready for these more demanding fences.
Ballygomartin can confirm his Bangor superiority over the well-regarded Nestor Park in the High Sheriff Of Gloucestershire Open National Hunt Flat Race.
There was little between the pair at the Welsh course, but the selection was thought to be in need of the race more and did well to win after a light preparation. He could find the most improvement.
Morney Wing can land a unique double for Charlie Mann in the Southern National Handicap Chase at Fontwell.
The eight-year-old won the Sussex National at Plumpton 10 months ago and it would be fair to say connections have had this race in mind for some time.
He was still travelling well when he unseated his rider at Cheltenham on his comeback and his in-form trainer has this sometimes inconsistent gelding in a good place at present.
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