Doce Vida set for winning jumps debut

WETHERBY has reaped the rewards of being the only cross-channel jumps meeting today with bumper fields in five of their seven races.

And on a really competitive card, Doce Vida stands out in the ‘Rye’ Mares’ Only Novices’ Hurdle.

Alan King’s six-year-old has come on in leaps and bounds since making her debut in a bumper at Worcester last May.

She showed promise when fifth that day and duly stepped up when winning a similar contest on the all-weather at Lingfield.

She showed good pace on that occasion, and again when she finished second to Queen Soraya back on the turf at Ludlow.

Doce Vida just could not hold off the winner and went down by three-quarters of a length.

The in-form King is sure to have his charge well-schooled ahead of her debut over obstacles and she is worth an interest.

Bob’s Buster has been kept busy for the last few weeks and he can continue on an upward curve by taking the ‘Wharfe’ Novices’ Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old is looking to chalk up a hat-trick after wins at Doncaster and Sedgefield on his last two starts.

There was much to like about his five-length success over Joint Authority at Sedgefield and he can follow up.

Bourgeois is an interesting debutant in the ‘Derwent’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Tim Easterby’s seven-year-old has showed plenty of ability on the Flat without having the record to show for it, and although well-fancied on several starts, he has won just the two races in Britain since arriving from France in 2001.

The ease in the ground is likely to suit and he can put a lacklustre run at Hamilton last September well behind him in his new sphere.

Lingfield host the richest event of the day, the £12,000-added Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap, and Nessen Dorma can take home the prize money.

James Given’s three-year-old, who will be stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time, really relishes the all-weather surface.

His last two wins have come over a mile at Southwell and he possesses a strong finishing kick which bodes well for his chances of staying an extra two furlongs.

Madrasee can show the benefit of a break in the Press Interactive To Bet Direct Handicap.

The six-year-old mare has been off the course since winning a six-furlong event at Brighton last October.