Nicky Richards' Carinena (2.20) reverts back to the minimum trip after failing to stay two and a half miles last time out at Perth and is a confident selection to return to winning ways at Musselburgh. The daughter of Shantou was very impressive when landing a bumper at the track in August and hurdled well on her debut over the obstacles and can maintain her excellent partnership under talented 3lb conditional Craig Nichol.
Brian Ellison's Serenity Now remains on an upward curve and is respected for the handicap hurdle over two and a half miles however Richard Johnson is a fascinating booking for Western Way (2.00) who gets the nod to score for trainer Don Cantillon. The selection won a brace of handicaps over timber in the summer and, despite a 13lb rise at the weights for those efforts, showed he retained plenty of ability when chasing home an odds-on favourite of the Skeltons last time out at Kempton Park. All of his best form is going right-handed over two and a half miles and he looks to have been well-placed by his Newmarket handler to score for a third time over hurdles.
Eight go to post for the feature handicap chase over two and a half miles where Philip Hobbs' Village Vic (3.30) is a confident selection to score for a third time over fences under double-seeking Richard Johnson. The well-bred son of Old Vic was expensive to follow last term, winning just one of his five starts over the larger obstacles, but made a winning reappearance at Wetherby in a particularly strong renewal of the Bobby Renton. He looked to relish the step up in trip, battling bravely in the closing stages, and can defy a 4lb rise at the weights.
There's racing from nearby Hexham where Cloudy Dream (1.20) looks a terrific prospect for the Malcolm Jefferson yard in the opening Maiden Hurdle under Brian Hughes. The son of Cloudings looks a chaser-in-the-making for connections but has already won twice in bumpers, winning over course and distance in the spring, and following-up under a penalty on his seasonal reappearance when well-backed last month at Carlisle. He should prove even better over timber and can make a winning debut over hurdles at the expense of David Dennis' well-bred Marquis of Carabas.
Kim Bailey's yard remain in good order and his 143-rated Emily Gray (2.10) should out-class her four rivals in the Mares' Beginners' Chase down at Fontwell. The selection was second in a brace of Listed Hurdles last term at Doncaster and Warwick, chasing home the smart pair of Highland Retreat and Glens Melody and should prove even better over fences.
Jamie Snowden's Jean Fleming (3.50) made a pleasing reappearance last month at Ludlow when tiring badly in the closing stages and should appreciate the drop back in trip for the feature Mares' handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles. The handicapper has raised her 2lb for that effort but with the cobwebs blown away she should be stripped fitter to go one better under regular partner Brendan Powell.
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