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Whitehotchillifili can pep up Sunday’s racing action by winning the Kenneth Cox Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow.
Harry Fry's eight-year-old has been set some tough tasks in her last three races, including when a close-up third in a Grade Two mares' hurdle at Ascot in January.
Though she finished a tame last of four in a warm Listed race at Warwick last time, she earns a welcome drop in drop in class and steps back a furlong and a half in trip for the extended two miles and three furlongs event.
Though she has won three of her 14 races over hurdles, crucially the assessor has relented and she is back on her previous winning mark, which makes her a tasty option on the seven-race card.
Scipion can get off the mark at the fourth attempt over hurdles for Tom Lacey in the In Loving Memory Of Edward Bevan Maiden Hurdle.
The six-year-old has similarly faced some tough opposition this term and deserves to finally gain some reward.
Having chased home subsequent Grade One Tolworth Hurdle runner-up Jetoile on his stable debut at Leicester, he was then not beaten far by Stag Horn in a Grade Two at Warwick.
Though he got bogged down in heavy ground at Haydock last time when taking on the smart Hillcrest, Scipion is clearly held in high regard and with a 131 rating, should put his rivals to bed with ease.
It is great to see Daryl Jacob back riding after his broken hip and Poldark Cross may get him back among the winners in the Join Our Bet Club At vickers.bet Handicap Chase.
Harry Whittington's charge seemed to appreciate the fitting of cheekpieces when a distant second to Chambard at Fontwell.
That form looks much more solid after Chambard landed the Fulk Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase for Venetia Williams on Thursday.
Poldark Cross may have been no match for the winner that day, yet he was well supported and this step up in trip should see the seven-year-old in a better light.
At Carlisle, Geromino has the class to give his two rivals 19lb and a beating in the Stacey Bradley's Birthday Bash Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.
Geromino, who makes his chasing debut, rattled up a hat-trick of handicap hurdles for Donald McCain in the autumn and is on a mark 13lb higher than when that winning spree started.
The six-year-old drops back a furlong to two miles and this gentle introduction to the bigger obstacles should hold no fears.
He will be partnered by Brian Hughes, who is closing on 200 winners for the season and is firmly on course to regain the jump jockeys' crown.
The 36-year-old rider reached 150 winners for the campaign last month – the first northern-based jump jockey to do so – and he can bag another winner in the shape of Malpas.
The seven-year-old, trained by Donald McCain, cruised to success over course and distance when last seen and takes on three rivals in the Watch Irish Racing On RacingTV Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
Running off the same mark, albeit in a slightly deeper race, he can stamp his authority and gain a third career success.
SELECTIONS:
CARLISLE: 1.50 Ask The Doc, 2.20 Geromino, 2.55 Jerrysback, 3.25 Malpas, 4.00 Marown, 4.35 Go Bob Go, 5.05 Ferocious.
CHEPSTOW: 2.00 Autonomous Cloud, 2.30 Poldark Cross, 3.05 Scipion, 3.35 The Edgar Wallace, 4.10 Whitehotchillifili (NAP), 4.45 Judex Lefou, 5.15 Knowsley Road.
DOWNPATRICK: 2.10 Monkstreet, 2.40 January Jets, 3.15 Fiston Des Issards, 3.45 Definite Plan, 4.20 Nuttoridge, 4.55 Faith Loving, 5.25 Langdale Lane.
DOUBLE: Whitehotchillifili and Scipion.
