Rory Delargy

WARWICK SATURDAY

12.40 BETFRED ‘GOALS GALORE’ NOVICES’ HANDICAP HURDLE (2M)

He’s yet to win a race over hurdles, but Bold Duke is effective in the forecast conditions having won twice on the flat when the mud was flying. That said, conditions at Taunton last time were more like the Somme than a racecourse, and he failed to get home having moved just about best of all until the home turn. He travels strongly held up in his races, and the big field and shorter trip here ought to see him in a better light, although a simple reproduction of his latest effort would put him on the premises in any case. He’s been handed a lifeline by the handicapper, and should make the frame in a race lacking strength despite the numbers.

Polo is the one performer in the field who could prove a cut above this grade, for all he’s not achieved a great deal to date for Venetia Williams; once a useful flat performer for Richard Chotard in France, he had excuses for a couple of poor efforts over hurdles after showing promise at Ludlow a year ago. Leniently treated if his old ability is intact, he looks very dangerous, and while there’s clearly some element of risk in backing him, one thing which shouldn’t deter punters is the length of his absence from the track, as Ms Williams is unmatched when it comes to getting handicappers to win off a significant break.

1.15 BETFRED ‘JANUARY SALE’ HANDICAP CHASE (2M)

We’ve not seen much of Laser Hawk over obstacles, but he was visually impressive when lowering the colours of Beast Of Burden over hurdles at Newbury last season, and shaped very well behind Arzal at the same meeting a year later on his chase debut. Sure to have benefited from that outing, the son of Rashar is open to plenty of improvement, and may not be badly handicapped despite having to concede weight all round.

Morning Reggie appeals as the main danger despite flattering to deceive on his last couple of starts. He seemed unsuited by the track at Wincanton last time, jumping markedly to his left, so can be expected to do better back on an anti-clockwise circuit. He doesn’t always find as much as expected, however, and that trait remains a worry. Big Jim is in similar mould, but is another who may benefit from being dropped to the minimum trip, and gives the impression he’s well treated if everything clicks.

2.25 PERTEMPS NETWORK HANDICAP HURDLE (3M2F)

Arctic Gold comes here having completed a hat-trick over hurdles, and is sure to be popular, but he’s had the benefit of an easy lead for his last two wins, and may not get the same luxury here with the likes of Volcanic and Flintham sure to take him on from the outset. In fairness, he’s thoroughly unexposed given a staying test, and could easily improve enough to deal with any inconvenience provided by other pace angles, but it’s a caveat to bear in mind given his likely short price.

One who will be a huge price is Floral Spinner, who was third behind Arctic Gold at Ludlow, and seems to be running into form. Bill Turner’s nine-year-old mare is thoroughly exposed, so is likely to be completely overlooked in the market, but she might well sneak into the frame in a race which should be run to suit her better than others.

3.00 NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NOVICES’ HURDLE (2M5F)

A strong renewal of the race registered as the Leamington Novices’ Hurdle, and Born Survivor looks the right favourite given the strong impression he’s left in winning both starts to date, with his sole start over hurdles resulting in a facile win over this course and distance. If there’s one point to crab him on it’s that he lacks the experience of a few of his rivals, but he’s certainly an exciting prospect.

One who doesn’t lack for street smarts is Final Nudge, who made a big impression in bumpers last year despite looking a long-term project, and he’s improved by the run over hurdles since switching disciplines last spring. He looked the likely winner at Cheltenham before being repelled by Unowhatimeanharry, and that form has a solid look, with the promising West Approach well held in third. David Dennis has handled the seven-year-old gelding well, and he looks solid each-way material against the favourite.

3.35 BETFRED CLASSIC CHASE (3M5F)

It’s very tempting to row in with old favourite Midnight Prayer here after he missed the Welsh National at the eleventh hour. He’s a former course winner as a novice, and demands respect, but preference at both weights and prices is for De Kerry Man, who travelled like a dream at Cheltenham on his recent reappearance, and he was trading odds on in the run when taking a soft fall at the top of the hill (jumped fence fine, but caught out by the gradient on landing), having jumped really well until that point. He needs to prove he stays this far, but has looked a strong runner over shorter trips, and is still open to improvement after just a handful of outings under Rules. He’s certainly well handicapped on the visual evidence of Cheltenham, and his light weight on testing ground is a bonus. He would be favourite in my book, and although one firm have gone as big as 12/1, I don’t expect that to last, and the general 10/1 looks absolutely fine.

WETHERBY SATURDAY:

2.40 ASIAN HANDICAPS AT 188bet.co.uk HANDICAP HURDLE (2M3F154Y)

Sue Smith has her team in great order at present, and she has done well to coax Vendor back to form having picked up the talented hurdler from Alan King. Always at his best on a flat, left-handed track, Vendor looked as good as ever when slamming the reliable Hartside over two miles at this course last month, and although the placed horses haven’t done much to advertise the form since, there’s little doubt that the son of Kendor remains on a fair mark, and the longer trip is in his favour now. He’s got to give weight to all his rivals, but is a class act at this level, and will take some stopping.

RECOMMENDED

LASER HAWK 1.15 Warwick – 1pt win

DE KERRY MAN 3.35 Warwick – 1pt e/w @ 12/1

VENDOR 2.40 Wetherby – 1pt win