Oscar Rock was a terrific winner of Saturday's Listed Chase at Market Rasen, earning a quote of 20/1 with BetVictor for the feature at Cheltenham's Open Meeting as the National Hunt season creeps ever closer. The forthcoming campaign could prove a fruitful one for the Malcolm Jefferson and Brian Hughes partnership, with Cyrus Darius remaining a 14/1 chance for the Arkle after a successful debut over fences at Perth in the week.
Richard Johnson enjoyed a tremendous week at the track, enjoying three winners for partner-in-crime Gordon Elliot, and heads to Newton Abbot this afternoon with Sykes (3.00) fancied to make a winning debut in handicap company. The selection hasn't been seen since bolting-up under Johnson in a Maiden Hurdle at Worcester last October and, whilst likely to be sent over fences sooner rather than later, can score over timber from a lenient-looking mark of 114.
Harry Fry's brilliantly-named General Ginger (2.00) should be able to defy a penalty and follow-up his Maiden Hurdle success at Kempton in the spring. The 5-y-o was progressive in bumpers before returning from a break to shed the maiden tag over timber at the second attempt and can concede weight all-round under regular partner Noel Fehily.
Fehily partners Neil Mulholland's The Bay Bandit in the handicap chase over the minimum trip and whilst he is respected after scoring last month at Sedgefield, preference lies instead for The Yank (2.30) under Tom Scudamore. David Bridgewater's 6-y-o fell when clear at the last in a similar contest last time out at Sedgefield but is well-treated on his previous success at Southwell and should make amends accordingly.
Jeremy Scott's Moorlands George (4.30) has been a revelation over fences and can land the finale under 3lb Conditional Matt Griffiths. The 7-y-o has made the frame in six of his seven starts since making his debut over the larger obstacles at Ludlow last November, winning competitive handicap chases at Warwick and Stratford over the summer. The gelding has gone up 20lb at the weights since landing a gamble under Nico De Boinville in May but should relish this afternoon's test of stamina to claim a third career success.
Mark Johnston's Phyllis Maud won last year's corresponding 10f maiden at Bath under Franny Norton and the pair can combine for further success with Space Mountain (3.40). The well-bred colt was too green to ever land a blow on debut at Haydock but was much-improved last time out when returning to the track stepped up to a mile. The son of Sea the Stars should prove even better over a trip and get the better of the once-raced pair of Southfields and Calvinist for the Brian Meehan and Charlie Appleby stables respectively.
Eight go to post for Hamilton's 6f Conditions Stakes and a terrific £15,562 first prize. Paul Midgeley's Another Wise Kid is turned out again quickly after winning a competitive handicap at Ripon on Saturday but Dark Emerald (3.50) can make trainer Brendan Powell's first trip to Hamilton a winning one under Graham Lee. The selection was an excellent third last time out in Listed Company at Newbury and, providing the drop back in trip isn't an inconvenience, looks well-placed to score for the first time since February.
Henry De Bromhead's Sizing Platinum (4.15) is unbeaten from two starts over the larger obstacles and can complete the hat-trick at the expense of Gordon Elliot's The Game Changer in the feature G3 Novices' Chase at Roscommon. The selection beat Jessica Harrington's 140-rated chaser Rock the World last time out at Galway and can maintain his yet unblemished record over fences under regular partner Jonny Burke.
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