By Charlie McCann
The curtain was brought down on the flat season just ten days ago at Doncaster's November Handicap meeting and the South Yorkshire track have wasted little time preparing for the start of the NH season, starting with a seven-race card this afternoon.
The Reveley family have an excellent record on Town Moor with stable start Night in Milan successful at the track last term in the BetVictor.com Handicap and the Great Yorkshire Chase and Balmusette (2.20) looks another horse with bundles of talent. The 5-y-o finished down the field on his debut over timber last month at Uttoxeter but should be a lot better based on his bumper form last term; placed in all four starts and the scope to improve further over hurdles.
The stable can double-up with Robbie (2.50) in the feature handicap chase after an excellent second earlier this month at Musselburgh. The selection chased home Dianne Sayer's Baileys Concerto, completing a five-timer in the process, and the form tied in with the likes of him and Distime looks especially strong. A 3lb rise doesn't look likely to stop him at a track where the 10-y-o has already been successful and can go in again and add to the stable's excellent record further.
The Warren Greatrex string remain in good fettle and Sky Watch (1.50) can add to the yard's best ever season in the novices' handicap chase over two and a half miles. The7-y-o who boasts a terrific record fresh; successful in a Sandown bumper two seasons' back and second to David Pipe's 145-rated hurdler Doctor Harper on his seasonal beau at Exeter last term. An opening mark of 118 over fences looks very lenient and he should go close under regular pilot Gavin Sheehan.
Victor Dartnall's star mare Jewellery (1.30) goes seeking the hat-trick at Fakenham and is impossible to oppose after recent wins at Exeter and Southwell respectively. The selection runs under a 7lb penalty after last week's success at the latter but looks good value for much more, after her 18l defeat of Combustible Lady with the minimal of fuss. Talented conditional Paul John gets on well with the 7-y-o and is excellent value for his 7lb claim.
Only three go to post for the Beginners' Chase over three miles however it looks a fascinating renewal with Vicente and Warden Hill (2.30) both likely to thrive over the larger obstacles. The latter gets the nod for the ever-growing partnership of Brian Hughes and Mick Channon, already starting the season well with Viva Steve and Sgt Reckless impressing in their respective debuts over fences; the latter 20/1 for next year's Arkle Chase with BetVictor. The son of Presenting ran a stormer on his seasonal debut finishing fourth on over a trip and ground that wouldn't have suited and is taken to excel now back up in trip.
There's further jumping action in Ireland at Wexford and Domesday Book (12.45) fancied to continue the excellent form of the Henry De Bromhead stable. The gelding was originally bred by the her Majesty the Queen but never made it to the racetrack on the flat and was purchased by Roger Brookhouse to embark on a career over obstacles. The selection maiden a pleasing start when chasing home Mount Gunnery in a competitive novices' hurdle at Clonmel and looks a winner in waiting for an outfit operating at a 30% strike-rate under newly-appointed stable jockey Johnny Burke.
Down Ace (2.45) was given too much to do last time out on her debut over fences at Thurles but looks set to make amends in the mares' beginners chase over two and a half miles. The selection joined Noel Meade in the autumn after a stellar campaign last term, winning three times over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien. The 7-y-o loves soft ground and should appreciate the testing conditions and break her duck over fences under Paul Carberry.
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