RIVER NORTH, with Richard Dunwoody on board, should shrug aside his disappointing hurdles debut at Sandown and land the first division of the Extra Daylight Novices' Hurdle at Kempton today.
This classy winner of a German Group One event on the Flat had been well touted for the Champion Hurdle, but that was before he could only manage fifth spot, beaten nine lengths, behind Right Win in the Tolworth Hurdle.
A convincing victory today is a must if trainer Lady Herries's dream of success in the Cheltenham showpiece for the six year old is to come true. But the Sandown experience and a normal level of improvement should be enough for River North to take care of his rivals here, who include stablemate Arctic Thunder.
Last week's Ascot victory by Northern Saddler highlights the chances of Barna Boy in the Easter Hero Handicap Chase. For it was at Worcester in November that Barna Boy looked all over a winner against Ron Hodges's charge when he completely blundered his way through the last fence to throw away all hopes of success.
Up until that point it looked as though trainer Nicky Henderson had ironed out the eight year old's jumping problems which had beset him on all outings apart from his chasing debut last term. As long as he hasn't suffered a loss of confidence following his Worcester mishap then Barna Boy looks the banker today.
Yorkshire Gale produced a seasonal debut full of promise when accounting for Edimbourg at Cheltenham in December. But he marred the performance when unshipping Tony McCoy, next time, in the Betterware Cup.
However, the Cheltenham - race showed trainer Josh Gifford has got his charge in fine fettle and the small field for the Hanworth Handicap Chase will not hinder Yorkshire Gale in his quest for a confidence boosting victory.
Hull based permit holder William Bethell can reach his best seasonal total of victories by saddling Malawi to win Catterick's Stayers Novices Chase. The race couldn't have a more apt title for no distance is too far for this game, hat trick seeking individual.
Even the welter burden of 12st 3lb shouldn't hold many terrors.
