Some cracking racing this afternoon and we begin at Leicester where Fort Smith (3.35) is taken to give former Gold Cup winning jockey Sam Thomas his first winner as a trainer. The selection is a dual chase winner in Ireland and certainly looks like a chaser but is 18lbs lower over timber and was only beaten half a length off a 3lbs lower mark last time.
Ballyrath drops back down in trip a couple of furlongs but cannot be opposed with just a 7lbs penalty such was the east of last week's course success. That was only the six-year-old's third start over fences and he jumped much better than he had at Warwick previously. Sam Twiston-Davies keeps the mount for his father. Barry Geraghty rides Cerunnos for Tom George and the handicapper has been kind in leaving the novice on the same mark for finishing a nose second at Doncaster back in December.
Towcester Bumper winner Divine Spear (1.35) finished runner up at Doncaster on his first start over hurdles last month but can go one better for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville in the 1st division of the maiden hurdle.
The pair can double up in the second division with the hurdles debut of Shocca Wocca (2.10) last seen finishing runner up to Hollies Pearl in the listed Aintree Bumper at the Grand National meeting in the spring.
In the finale Scales (4.30) has been given a seven-week break since a bad blunder three out, when poised to challenge, in a similar amateur rides' event. The 10-year-old is 4lbs higher today but should have the race run to suit, needs a decent gallop, and can reward each way support.
If the showers stay away watch out for Anton Dolin who is very well handicapped on his old form when in the care of Dr Richard Newland.
At Newcastle Redkalani (1.30) makes his chase debut for Keith Reveley off a mark 12lbs higher than when scoring over timber at Doncaster last month. Harry Challoner, replacing regular pilot James Reveley, takes off 3lbs and the gelding has always been considered a potentially better chaser than hurdler. The yard of Lucinda Russell have gone off the boil and Mysteree was a big disappointment at Doncaster last month when weak in the market.
Total Assets (2.00) has run well since her attention was switched to fences and Brian Hughes replaces regular pilot Callum Bewley, claimed for Presented, as the mare bids to follow up her recent Kelso success.
Central Flame hasn't set the world alight over fences but was formerly a useful point-to-pointer and a market move would be worth noting although he is likely to be best served by better ground. Special Catch (3.10) ran well over 2m here back in December and is rated 9lbs lower over fences than his hurdle rating. He travelled well for a long time here over the minimum trip last time, has been given plenty of time to get over those exertions and has been dropped 4lbs for his latest run.
Halo Moon (3.45) won a weak event at Fakenham last time but looks ahead of the handicapper carrying only a 7lbs penalty for that 20+ lengths success. Mark Quinlan replaces Noel Fehily and connections will be disappointed if he didn't go close although this race does look stronger than the Fakenham contest.
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