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Count on Court at Huntingdon

3 minute read

Vienna Court can make it a hat-trick when she lines up in the Pertemps Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase at Huntingdon.

Trainer : Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Trainer : Nigel Twiston-Davies. Picture: (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained seven-year-old had been racing over the minimum trip over fences, but once upped to an extended two miles and four furlongs, she has proved a revelation.

Having got off the mark at Cheltenham in December, she followed up in Grade Three company at the same track on New Year's Day and while she has gone up 8lb for that, further improvement can be anticipated and her revised rating puts her well ahead here.

Taking a drop in class to Listed company over a similar trip, the James and Jean Potter-owned mare should be able to make it three wins on the spin against four rivals and book her place in the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Colin Tizzard yard is in fine form at present and Sherborne may be good enough to follow up his Lingfield novice hurdle win in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old has had a two-month break since landing that two-mile prize, but the way he stayed on suggests the step up to an extended two and a half miles will be just what the doctor ordered.

Tip Top Cat has done nothing but improve this season and may still be ahead of the handicapper as he bids for a four-timer in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

Two wins at Exeter and another at Taunton last time has seen him rise 18lb in the handicap, so Fergal O'Brien's seven-year-old is now ready to pounce in a class two handicap over three miles and a furlong. He has plenty of stamina and gets on well with 3lb claimer Liam Harrison.

White Pepper can avenge her Aintree defeat by Sea Sessions when the pair clash again at Doncaster in the extended two-mile Listed Sky Bet Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle.

Gavin Cromwell's representative was beaten three and a half lengths when favourite at Aintree, but has a 5lb pull at the weights, as she bids for a third win in four following her comfortable win at Fairyhouse last time.

Tupleo Mississippi has been a little frustrating since winning at Uttoxeter over a year ago but is now 3lb below his winning mark and can get back on song in the Betting Better With Sky Bet Novices' Handicap Chase.

Placed in a Grade Two novices' Hurdle at Haydock a year ago, he is still getting the hang of things over fences and was pulled up at Newcastle on his second attempt. The class drop should see Brian Ellison's charge in a much better light, however.

On the all-weather at Lingfield, Fountain Cross would appear to have every chance of giving Alan King a welcome winner in the mile-and-a-quarter Play 4 To Win at Betway Handicap.

Hollie Doyle's mount was beaten a neck on his first run for 138 days at Wolverhampton last time when a little too keen.

The former Richard Hannon inmate should strip fitter for that and the 2lb hike should not be a detriment.

Lothian can strike for Michael Attwater in the five-furlong Betway Handicap.

Twice beaten by the progressive Strong Power on his last two runs over course and distance, he had excuses from an inside draw last time when shuffled back.

A better draw and a 2lb drop in the weights should help the four-year-old.

There are a couple of fascinating debutants in the Coral Proud To Support British Racing Fillies' Novice Stakes on Wolverhampton's all-weather card and Mukaddamah can get off the mark at the first attempt.

The well-bred daughter of New Approach is out of a Dubawi mare and while Roger Varian's runners invariably improve for their first outing, Jim Crowley will want to make his trip to the Midlands venue for one ride count.

Hughie Morrison has had a couple of winners in recent days and Beggarman is worth consideration in the extended two-mile Betway Handicap.

He reportedly hung left when a beaten favourite on his hat-trick bid at Southwell last time, nut he runs off the same mark and a month off will have freshened him up.

SELECTIONS:

DONCASTER: 12.15 Tupelo Mississippi, 12.45 Commodore Miller, 1.15 Before Midnight, 1.50 White Pepper, 2.25 Ridgeway, 3.00 Tommaso, 3.30 Angels Landing, 4.00 Flexi Furlough.

DUNDALK: 4.30 Zoom Tiger, 5.00 Kingslayer, 5.30 Ampeson, 6.00 Gloria Rosa, 6.30 Giuliana, 7.00 Well Suited, 7.30 Teddy Boy.

HUNTINGDON: 12.25 Dibble Decker, 12.55 Shallow River, 1.25 Galop De Chasse, 2.00 Sherborne, 2.35 VIENNA COURT (NAP), 3.10 Tip Top Cat, 3.40 Thundersockssundae, 4.10 Hunting Brook.

LINGFIELD: 1.05 Split Elevens, 1.35 Shurut, 2.10 Pink Storm, 2.45 Lothian, 3.20 Lenny's Spirit, 3.50 Fountain Cross, 4.20 Nazca.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 4.45 Lightening Gesture, 5.15 Mukaddamah, 5.45 Victory Star, 6.15 Beggarman, 6.45 Shyjack, 7.15 Spartan Fighter, 7.45 Qaaraat.

DOUBLE: Vienna Court and White Pepper.


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