Kingsmark ready to make his mark
The Martin Todhunter-trained grey slammed Tresor De Mai by 10 lengths two years ago and had a length and three-quarters to spare over Banker Court last November.
The nine-year-old, owned by Sir Robert Ogden, was last seen in action finishing fourth to Bindaree in the Martell Grand National at Aintree in April.
Martin Pipe’s Cyfor Malta and the Paul Nicholls-trained Poliantas hold an alternative engagement in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham a day earlier.
Philip Hobbs has entered the 1999 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner Ever Blessed, who has not raced since being pulled up in the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster in January.
The 10-year-old joined Hobbs’ team at Minehead from Mark Pitman’s Upper Lambourn stable in August.
Other interesting entries include Sackville, from Frances Crowley’s Irish stable and Henrietta Knight’s Lord Noelie.
Meanwhiles, Rooster Booster, winner of the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, heads a field of 21 horses confirmed for the Rehabilitation Of Racehorses Hurdle at Prestbury Park on Sunday.
The Philip Hobbs-trained eight-year-old faces giving lumps of weight to his rivals in the £50,000 contest over an extended two miles.
Allotted 11st 12lb, he is 9lb ahead of the next horse in the Showcase Handicap, his stable companion In Contrast.
Two Irish horses have stood their ground - Charlie Swan’s Patriot Games and the Christy Roche-trained Measure of The Man, who is currently 28lb out of the handicap.
The French Furze, who chased home the Martin Pipe-trained Westender 12 months ago, may bid to go one better for trainer Nicky Richards.
Pipe has whittled down his six-strong original entry to just one - Dream With Me.
The five-year-old is unbeaten in five starts since joining the Nicholashayne trainer in the spring and he could still be one step ahead of the handicapper judged on his latest success at Ascot two weeks ago when he defeated Brooklyn’s Gold by five lengths.
Castleshane could seek compensation following his half-length defeat by Santenay at Wincanton last Saturday when his rider lost an iron in the closing stages.
James Fanshawe has left in the useful Flat racer Eternal Spring while Brian Ellison is likely to use this race to give his smart chaser Latalomne a confidence-booster following a poor run at Exeter last week.
