Pipe can reach new landmark

Select Star can write his name into the record books with victory at Ludlow today. The six-year-old's ability will never get him into the headlines - with two wins in 17 starts he is a hurdler of decidedly modest talents.

But he will make history if collecting the Oak Novices' Claiming Hurdle as victory would give his record-breaking trainer Martin Pipe the fastest ever 200 winners in a season - by no less than 69 days!

Select Star looks more than up to the job. He has been placed in each of his four starts in handicaps since he ran away with a conditional jockeys' novice handicap at Exeter in December and is a notably consistent - if modest - performer.

The gelding should take full advantage of this drop into claiming company, particularly with champion jockey Tony McCoy on board to help in his bid to make history.

If Select Star fails, stable-companion Vent d'Aout should be good enough to bring up the landmark in the following Elm Novices' Chase.

But Pipe's Westfield Cockney may have to settle for a place in the closing division two of the Ash "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle, in which last month's Wincanton winner Phardante Flyer will be hard to beat.

Meanwhile, Mary Reveley can move closer to 100 winners for the season by claiming the Tote Lady In Red Hurdle at Doncaster with Kathryn's Pet.

The sound surface and flat track will ensure that this two-mile "Showcase Handicap" becomes a test of speed.

Which will be ideal for Kathryn's Pet, whose has a turn of foot sharp enough to win good handicaps on the Flat in 1999.

That finishing pace was again in evidence as the mare quickened past Crazy Horse to land a fourth win in her last seven hurdle races at Kelso last month.

Stable jockey Peter Niven can make a successful return after three months out of action on Reveley's Pennys Pride in the Jack Snipe Mares' Only Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Niven is hoping to get back into the swing of things before riding Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Brother of Iris on Saturday and has the ideal partner here.

His mount is unlikely to require undue assistance from the saddle as she has shown bags of ability in winning at Ayr and Wetherby to date and looks a cut above today's rivals.