Gordon Richards can make it three out of three by striking with Unguided Missile at Haydock today. He has already seen chasing stars One Man and Edelweis du Moulin make winning reappearances in recent weeks, both scoring in a style which suggests they are set for successful seasons. Unguided Missile should boost morale at his Cumbrian stable still further with a repeat victory in the Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase.
His win in this limited handicap 12 months ago was the launching pad for a campaign which saw him develop into one of the best staying chasers in England.
After an excellent second in the Betterware Cup at Ascot he filled the same position in the Peter Marsh Chase here and the Jim Ford Chase at Wincanton before defying top-weight to pick up a valuable handicap at Aintree.
And he was far from done with when he fell at the 13th fence in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
That tumble was not totally out of character as Unguided Missile tends to make the odd serious error.
But no jockey gets him jumping better than today's partner Richard Dunwoody, who gave him the "ride of the season" in the Betterware Cup at Ascot in 1995/6.
He can defy top-weight again today at the expense of last season's novices See More Business and Eudipe, who have both yet to prove they are anything like as good as the handicapper rates them.
Grand National runner-up Suny Bay is better treated at the weights but may find this an insufficient test of stamina.
Major Harris looks the answer to the Hindley Green Handicap Hurdle.
He improved throughout last season and remains firmly on the upgrade judged on his reappearance second at Wetherby last month.
He will be all the better for the outing and can go one place better this time.
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