The ground was described as good to firm at Warwick at noon on Sunday and in the 3m Novice Chase Éclair Des Sablons only got as far as the second on his chase debut last time, but has the scope to make his mark over fences. A market move would be worth noting.
The vote, however, goes to Blue N Yellow (1.15) who is 12lbs better off with Kitty’s Light on Southwell running earlier in the summer over an extended 2m 4f. The selection – 9/4 with Unibet – met trouble in running on that occasion and looks ready for a step up to three miles. He certainly has the scope for the larger obstacles.
There is a terrific handicap chase over 2m 4f and, at his best, Mercian Prince (2.45) is a bold jumping, exciting front-runner and he is taken to reverse form with Western Charmer who beat Amy Murphy’s veteran at Uttoxeter back in July. The ew selection – 15/2 with William Hill – was below par in a better race last time, but I hope Jack Quinlan can get his mount into a nice rhythm at the head of affairs although he will get taken on for the lead with old adversary Western Charm another who likes to make his own running.
France De Reve (3.15) is 7lbs higher for winning a Newton Abbott mares’ only event last time but she is taken to follow up against the geldings given she looked to appreciate the step up to today’s 2m 5f trip. She is Nicky Henderson’s sole runner on the card and is priced at 9/4 with 10bet.
Go As You Please (3.50) has been running over longer distances but is taken to appreciate the drop back to the minimum trip in the 2m handicap chase. Paul Webber’s seven-year-old – 4/1 at BetVictor – is a long-standing maiden but I thought he ran a good race last time in his first-time cheek-pieces and connections look to have found a very winnable looking race.
Desert Vision (2.00) faded close home over 7f at Wolverhampton last time and the drop back in trip to 6f can see her land the fillies’ nursery at Leicester for James Tate. The selection – 10/3 at Unibet – did win over seven furlongs on her last turf start at Sandown, but she travelled so powerfully on the tapeta last time that connections obviously believe she has the pace to cope with a drop back to sprinting.
At Wolverhampton Kesarina (7.00) can go one better than when second at Beverley last time when stepped up to 12f for the first time. The selection – 13/8 with bet365 – is 2lbs higher in the weights this evening and has the worst of the draw in stall seven, but Sir Michael Stoute will be keen to get a win next to her name for breeding purposes and this looks an ideal opportunity. William Buick take over in the saddle.
