Edredon Bleu heads Peterborough entries
With that duo entered for Saturday’s Huntingdon race but heading instead for Exeter and Clonmel respectively, responsibility will fall on the admirable 12-year-old to give Henrietta Knight her sixth win in seven years in the Grade Two event.
There are 12 others entered in the race, over two and a half miles of the Cambridgeshire track, but with the Martin-Pipe-trained pair of Seebald and Upgrade as well as Henry Daly’s Hand Inn Hand also in the William Hill Chase at Exeter on Friday, the field may get smaller.
Nicky Henderson’s classy novice Calling Brave is an interesting contender, having won all three of his completed chases to date, along with the similarly progressive Brooklyn Breeze from the Len Lungo yard.
Mark Pitman’s useful two-miler Hot Shots is also among the entries, which are completed by Enzo De Baune, Farmer Jack, Le Roi Miguel, Pangeran, Red Striker and Tacolino.
Meanwhile, Aintree specialist Amberleigh House may seek to land another win at his favourite track after appearing among 24 entries for Sunday’s totesport Becher Chase at the Merseyside venue.
Like his trainer Ginger McCain, last season’s Grand National winner has displayed a fond affection for Aintree, having made the frame five times from six completed starts.
The 12-year-old has a remarkable record in this weekend’s three-mile-three-furlong contest as well, landing the spoils in 2001, chasing home Ardent Scout in 2002 and having a protracted battle with Clan Royal 12 months ago before going down by a short head.
The star of McCain’s Cholmondeley stables warmed up for the Becher with a promising fourth behind Mister McGoldrick at Wetherby last month after a flop over hurdles on his seasonal bow.
Ardent Scout heads a possible three-pronged attack from Sue Smith’s Bingley stable.
The 12-year-old could only finish a distant third in the marathon contest over the Grand National fences last year, but showed age is not getting the better of him last month when finishing a half-length second in a £40,000 contest at Carlisle.
Smith also has her Scottish Borders National winner Tipsy Mouse engaged, along with Artic Jack, a first-fence faller in last term’s Grand National.
Howard Johnson has entered Boy’s Hurrah, while Philip Hobbs has the option of running Double Honour and Paul Nicholls has two possible starters - Fasgo and Silver Birch.
Just In Debt warmed up with a win at Newcastle last Friday, while Ireland holds a strong hand with Native Sessions, Davids Lad and Takagi.
