Hammond to be king with Elvis
Trainer Mickey Hammond can rule with Elvis Reigns in the Anderson Strathern Challenge Trophy (Novices’ Handicap Chase) at Musselburgh tomorrow.
The seven-year-old has been in the frame on his last three runs but last time he came up against a really promising prospect in Telemoss.
He seems to show his best over this two-mile trip and, although he has been a bit frustrating until now, Elvis Reigns can finally oblige here.
The day’s showcase event is the Tote Bookmakers Hurdle and Haikal is the one to be on in this £10,000 (€15,000) -added contest.
The six-year-old had a run on the all-weather last month to freshen him up and that change of scene should pay dividends here.
Far Pavilions can land a hat-trick in the Forth One Radio Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle for Alan Swinbank.
He absolutely bolted up over course and distance last time and may well be capable of picking up a decent prize before the season is out.
He made the odd mistake but certainly powered up the straight and looks a more than useful prospect.
Red Wine, a good performer on the Flat, is an interesting runner in the opening Somerby Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at Leicester.
The four-year-old, who is trained by former jump jockey Jamie Osborne, won the Tote Scoop6 November Stakes at Doncaster on his last run and that was his third win on the bounce.
Red Wine clearly enjoyed the testing conditions that day and his staying performance over a mile and a half would offer hope for him seeing out the two miles here.
Osborne is sure to have the son of Hamas well schooled for his debut and a good performance here would see him head to the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next month.
