Isam atop bet
Martin Hogan’s charge relishes any cut in the ground these days and has recorded both of this year’s victories on a heavy surface, including his latest start at Folkestone.
The 10-year-old came off the pace on that occasion to score by a convincing six lengths and the fact that it was a conditional jockeys’ event means he escapes a penalty here.
With everything in his favour and given his current good form, he looks likely to follow-up.
The lightly-raced Cloudmor showed little last season over hurdles but has looked much improved in a couple of starts over fences so far this term.
Len Lungo’s charge had a tough baptism in a hot Hexham novice chase over two miles but ran creditably enough to finish sixth behind Tin Healy’s Pass.
He did much better next time at Newcastle when stepped up in trip, finishing second to Silver Sedge – despite making three jumping mistakes.
He could prove a different proposition back over smaller obstacles at Sedgefield and the Newcastle Breweries Classified Hurdle looks like an ideal opportunity for him get off the mark.
It is amazing how often a change of scenery can bring about an immediate improvement in a horse’s performances.
Of course, a big drop in the handicap can also help and Night Prospector has benefited from both sources this last month.
His performance in a five-furlong claimer at Wolverhampton early last month, when a close third behind Twinned, prompted Ron Harris to splash out £12,000 for the gelding, a move that has paid instant dividends.
Next time out, over six furlongs at the Midlands track – and off a 10lb lower handicap mark – he came late to snatch victory from Premier Fantasy.
He quickly followed up over the same trip at Southwell, where he defied a 5lb rise in the weights to score with some ease over Mina.
