Bailey back at Leicester
Blazing Bailey may have earned himself a shot at the Coral Scottish Grand National after a belated maiden victory over fences at Leicester.
With just three rivals, there was little in the way of opposition for Alan King's gelding in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide 2010 Novices' Chase but this was his most encouraging effort for some time.
Blazing Bailey's best moment came when winning the Grade One staying hurdle at Punchestown in 2008 but he became something of a disappointment.
He popped over the first like a puissance showjumper and Robert Thornton had to deliver a couple of reminders along the way but the eight-year-old took charge down the long home straight and came five lengths clear as the 5-6 favourite.
Thornton said: "At the first it was as if he had never seen one before, he was up in the air, but he was very good after that.
"With only four runners you have got to keep them concentrated but turning in I set him alight and he jumped the last four really well.
"I think they are talking about the Scottish National now. Novices do well in that and he would get the trip."
Blazing Bailey was very much the star of a low-key card of chases alleviated by some bright early spring sunshine.
The improvement in weather may have helped Oliver Sherwood's lot as Circus Of Dreams provided the Lambourn trainer with his first winner in 87 days.
The 7-4 favourite soldiered through the heavy ground better than his modest rivals in the Captain Machell Beginners' Chase.
"I am delighted for David Knox, who bred him along with his half-brothers Super Road Train and Superrollercoaster," said Sherwood.
"Of all of them, this one has the most ability, despite having a bit of attitude.
"We needed that. We've had a slight blood disorder, a bit like Alan King has, but we've had to be patient and hopefully we're getting out of it now."
Wherrimon (4-1) won at the track a couple of weeks earlier and made it a double in rather less decisive fashion as Andrew Thornton galvanised him a neck in front of Captain Smoothy in the Squire Osbaldeston Handicap Chase.
Winning trainer Caroline Bailey said: "Andrew said it was horrible ground out there and he has looked after him. From where I was watching I thought we got beaten so I'm delighted.
"He's entered at Kempton on Saturday but I don't think he will go - he is only six but I think that race might have taken a lot out of him."
Captain Smoothy's trainer Sean Curran did not have to wait long for his compensation as Ray Mond (7-2 joint-favourite) dominated the very next race, the Harry Crompton Novices' Handicap Chase.
"He's had six runs for us, three wins, a fall and two thirds," said Curran.
"I think he has just grown up in life and his jumping is better. He runs out of diesel after two and a half miles so the drop back in trip has helped. We'll keep him going until the ground gets too quick."
My Old Piano (5-2), sent pointing by David Easterby, continued his resurgence in the Cottesmore Maiden Hunters' Chase.
"There's an intermediate final at the Cheltenham May meeting, that's the main plan and hopefully it will be the Aintree Foxhunters next year," reported Easterby.
