BY his high standards, Nigel Twiston-Davies has had a below average season, but a double at Bangor today can act as a tonic to his strong Cheltenham challenge.
Holy Sting has not yet contributed to the Naunton handler's 50 plus race haul, but has every chance of doing so when contesting the Edward Symmons Novices' Handicap Chase.
Twenty days ago the seven-year-old faced a stiff task when trying to beat Billygoat Gruff and Sister Stephanie and despite being 11 lengths adrift of a close finish between the pair, that form could be good enough here.
The winner is bound for the Ritz ClubChase at the festival off a mark of 125 and his trainer has made no secret of the fact that he believes he has a fine chance.
Therefore, as Holy Sting runs off a mark of 86 here and could be rated - on his Towcester run - as no less than 20lb inferior to the winner, his chance in this handicap is obvious.
In addition, Towcester was the first time he wore blinkers and he can be expected to improve for his second attempt with the headgear.
The first leg of the double should be landed half an hour earlier when Chief Joseph contests the Croxton Novices Chase.
The nine-year-old has been absent since landing a novice event at Stratford on fast ground last June by nine lengths from Lustrino, but can make up for lost time against some average opponents.
Jamie Osborne is "fit and raring to go" according to his agent Gavin Davies after being out of action for 21 days following concussion.
And his return to race-riding should go to plan when Charming Girl lands the second division of the Chirk NH Novices' Hurdle.
Oliver Sherwood's five-year-old beat 14 other rivals to take an Uttoxeter novice hurdle last time and looks far more able than any of her rivals here.
Don Egdy has been churning out his winning bumper horses for many a season and it may be worth chancing a pound or two on The Sharrow Legend in the Open NH Flat race at Catterick.
The four-year-old was well-backed on his debut when beaten out of sight. but has since moved to Eddy's yard. He is a nicely bred type and could improve significantly for the outing.
