Damien the choice
The 10-year-old has not won since thrashing Sharpastrizam by 13 lengths in this event 12 months ago when in the care of Ferdy Murphy.
The gelding joined Alan Swinbank after his reappearance and has been in mainly good form this term, travelling like the winner when unshipping his jockey at the last fence at Sedgefield on his penultimate start.
He appeared to be running out of stamina when falling two-out over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham last time.
But back over his favourite trip of two miles today Damien’s Choice can oblige at what could be rewarding odds.
Another ex-Murphy horse Woodfield Gale can also get on the scoresheet at the North Yorkshire track.
The nine-year-old fared well on his first start for Tim Easterby at today’s venue last month despite running over an inadequate trip of two miles and three furlongs, keeping on to finish a nine-length third behind Dingo Dancer.
That was Woodfield Gale’s first run for six months and he is sure to progress enough to take the Teesside Handicap Chase.
Ibal, winner of the 2001 Imperial Cup at Sandown, has yet to achieve that level of success over fences but showed enough on his seasonal bow to suggest that his first chasing success was not far away.
He lined up for a novice event at Sandown and despite jumping to the left had every chance until outpaced on the run-in, coming home a 13-length third of five to Tysou.
Ibal will be suited by Plumpton’s left-handed track and he looks a good bet in the Dimpy Betts Novices’ Chase.
David Barron’s horses are always worth considering on Southwell’s all-weather circuit and the trainer has a good chance of adding to his tally at the Nottinghamshire course with Oscar Pepper in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Stakes.
