Skipper in charge
The mud-loving Skippers Brig will be in his element in the EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) at Leicester.
After unseating Keith Mercer on his hurdling debut at Newcastle in November, Len Lungo’s gelding has not looked back since.
Sent off at cramped odds at Ayr in December, the giant six-year-old showed up well with an impressive jumping performance that yielded a nine-length verdict from subsequent Wetherby winner All For Luck.
Nineteen days later, he was seen coming back on the bridle along the Haydock straight to win with plenty of hand over Nevertika.
Clearly progressive and certainly talented, Skippers Brig will have no trouble handling three miles in due course.
As his two wins over timber underlined, he comes into his own when there is plenty of dig in the ground.
Barton Sun has been running well in defeat this term and deserves to finally break his maiden in the Springfield Motor Group Novices’ Handicap Chase at Newcastle.
Although connections must be frustrated at his inability to get his head in front, he showed enough promise over course and distance earlier this month to suggest his turn is near.
Narrowly outgunned by Young Smokey on that occasion, he will never get a better chance on his return to Gosforth Park to find the winner’s enclosure.
Jass can get punters off to a rip-roaring start in the St James Security Novices’ Hurdle.
Keith Reveley’s charge looked the real deal competing in bumpers and did not finish outside the money in four starts n that sphere of racing.
Despite proving a costly failure on his hurdles bow here over two miles – he finished third when sent off at odds of 8-15 – Reveley looks to have played his joker stepping the Robellino gelding up in trip.
Ian McInnes’ small yard has been ticking along nicely this winter and the Yorkshire handler can plot another winner with Mystic Man in the pontinsbingo.com Handicap at Lingfield.
While the nine-year-old has not pulled up that many trees on the all-weather this term, a close-up second to Mountain Pass over seven furlongs gives confidence to suggest he is coming to hand nicely for this one.
He was unlucky to run into a decent type who was on a decent mark that day and can go one better stepping up to a mile.
