Mullins ready for Sandown challenge

Seamus Mullins has his string in top form and the Salisbury-based trainer is keeping his fingers crossed that tomorrow’s meeting at Sandown beats the weather after his big-race hopes were given a boost by Kentford Fern’s success at wintry Southwell.

Kentford Fern made all the running in the Tattersalls (Ireland) European Breeders’ Fund Mares’ Only Chase in the hands of Andrew Thornton.

As he returned to the weighing room, Thornton remarked: “I’m absolutely frozen. I’ve never ridden in weather as cold as this. It’s unbelievable.”

The meeting survived two inspections because of frost, and then fears that very strong winds would halt proceedings proved unfounded.

Mullins, saddling his 12th winner of the season, said: “We run Farmer Jack in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase and See You Sometime in the Tote Scoop6 Sandown Handicap Hurdle, and it‘s always nice to have a winner before you go for a big race.”

Kentford Fern has an important race in her sights too as Mullins added: “She’s very tough and tailor-made for the final of this series on March 15 at Uttoxeter.”

Arctic Spirit may have been rather fortunate to win the Feast Of St Charles Handicap Chase, Pharbeitfrome having been two lengths up when he blundered and unseated his rider two out. But having been left in front, the winner stayed on to hold the challenge of Skinsey Finnegan.

Trainer Robin Dickin said: “Sometimes you need a bit of luck and we had it today.”

John O’Shea was not present as he was having a meeting with his accountant, but he will have been pleased that Nordic Prince helped to balance the books when defying his 12 years to win the Ladbrokes Handicap Chase and take his rider Richard Johnson’s score for the season to 107.

Campaign Trail made it two out of two this season under a very cheeky ride from Liam Cooper in the Ladbrokes.com Novices’ Hurdle, and trainer Jonjo O’Neill said from his Jackdaws Castle base: “He came back with a bad cut after he won at Carlisle (in October) and then had the virus, but he seems fine now.”

O’Neill and Cooper completed a double when Music To My Ears landed the concluding nationals.com Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race.