Three excellent jump cards this afternoon with racing at Wincanton and Towcester accompanied by a seven-race card across the Irish Sea at Clonmel. Four go to post for an excellent renewal of the feature two and a half mile chase at the latter where Gordon Elliott's Bright New Dawn (3.30) can get his head in front for the first time in almost two years under regular partner Bryan Cooper. The selection won a pair of graded chases two seasons ago but has struggled in the highest company thereafter, finishing second behind the likes of Mallowney, Hidden Cyclone and Road to Riches subsequently.
The 9-y-o was second for the third time this season when chasing home Sizing Tennessee over hurdles at Navan but should appreciate the step up in trip to score for the fourth time over fences. Bright New Dawn will likely use this afternoon's contest as a stepping stone to the Cheltenham Festival and is 66/1 with BetVictor Non Runner No Bet for the Queen Mother Champions Chase and an even bigger 100/1 for the Ryanair Chase.
There may be little, if any, Cheltenham Festival clues at Towcester but Caitys Joy (1.40) could prove to be a lively outsider for the inaugural Mares' Novices' Hurdle and should make it second time lucky over timber under Daryl Jacob. Warren Greaterex's mare sets a fair standard on last season's bumper form and should strip fitter for last month's seasonal reappearance at Huntingdon.
Flashjack is respected for the 2m Novices' Hurdle but disappointed last time out at Haydock and preference instead lies with King Cool (2.40) for the team of Gary and Jamie Moore. The well-bred son of King's Theatre changed hands for £20,000 after winning an Irish point-to-point at the third time of asking in November and is fancied to make a winning debut under rules for new connections.
Moore partnered Kerry's Lee Mr Bachster (3.50) to success last time out over course and he is a confident selection to follow-up under Tom Bellamy in the conditional jockeys' Handicap Chase over an extended two miles. The selection relished the test of stamina and on his preferred soft ground can defy an 11lb rise at the weights to make it 5 wins from 10 starts over fences.
Paul Nicholls has fancied runners in three of the first four races at Wincanton with his exciting French recruit Baoulet Delaroque (3.05) a confident selection under Sam Twiston-Davies in the handicap hurdle over two and a half miles. The selection beat Nicky Henderson's Divine Spear on his British debut last month at Doncaster, who won impressively yesterday at Ludlow, and looks potentially well-treated from an opening mark of 124. Money for Dolores Delightful would be significant with Nick Williams' mare a winner on the corresponding card last year and now reverts back to hurdles after three unsuccessful efforts over fences.
Nicholls saddles Steilletto in the feature handicap chase over two and a half miles where Saint Ralph bids to land back-to-back renewals of the Dick Hunt Trophy under Paddy Brennan. Robert Walford's charge is just 8lb higher than landing last year's prize and is respected sporting first-time head-gear, however a chance is taken instead on Venetia Williams' Vivaccio (3.40) under Aidan Coleman. The selection won a brace of handicap chases last term at Ludlow but struggled with a 24lb hike at the weights thereafter. He has trickled back down the handicap, returning to his last winning mark of 125, and is chanced to reward each-way support in an extremely competitive renewal.
Join Together (4.15) made a pleasing return last month at Taunton when well backed for the opening Hunter Chase of the season and can bounce back in a lighter heat this afternoon. The selection is 20/1 for the Foxhunters at the Cheltenham Festival and is sure to go shorter with a facile success this afternoon.
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