Calibre made of right stuff
High Calibre may not be one of the big-hitters in Jonjo O’Neill’s yard but is still taken to score in the Fernie Handicap Chase at Leicester tomorrow.
The six-year-old has been quite progressive at a modest level this term and did nothing wrong on his two chase starts last month.
Having failed to pull up many trees over timber, the switch to fences proved a shrewd bit of business after High Calibre trotted up over two miles at Folkestone last month.
Gay Smith’s gelding then made light work of a 7lb penalty and a mistake at the second-last to win on soft ground at Catterick eight days later.
Moreover, the form from that two-mile event was given a boost after Aviation landed a novice chase earlier this month.
Alan King’s Anshabil looks a good thing in the Wren Handicap Chase.
Generally disappointing over hurdles, connections of the eight-year-old gained a handsome dividend when turning his attention to fences.
Anshabil followed up a good second in a beginners chase at Folkestone in November with a narrow victory at Hereford in December.
King’s charge ploughed through the mud under Wayne Hutchinson to get home with a neck to spare from Lescer’s Lad, who has since won twice at Folkestone.
Granted necessary, but expected, improvement from that handy formline, he is surely one to keep on the right side.
Supreme Novices’ hope Crocodile Dundee should prove a cut above in the Anderson Strathern Novices’ Hurdle at Musselburgh.
Currently a general 33-1 shot to earn Howard Johnson and Graham Wylie more Festival honours, the six-year-old will need to put in a mighty performance to warrant heading to Prestbury Park.
It is not beyond the realms of possibility, however, judged by his tenacious victory on ground that did not suit at Kelso in January.
A two-time Listed winner on the Flat, Crocodile Dundee is definitely no slouch over obstacles and once he gets the requisite better ground, Johnson’s charge has enough scope to land a blow at a far higher grade.
Richard Fahey often turns out a smart hurdler and Smoothly Does It, who takes his chance in the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap Hurdle, would appear to fit that bill.
Fahey clearly aspires to run up a sequence with this six-year-old, who has already landed back-to-back wins at Wetherby.
Things are going to be a lot tougher for him now the handicapper has reacted accordingly but he should be raring to go after a mini-break.
This is a far stiffer assignment but he deserves plenty of respect and may still have another win left in him over hurdles before a likely return to the Flat in the spring.
Resplendent Ace looked a winner waiting to happen at Lingfield on his last start and can hammer home that theory back at the Surrey venue.
Despite making a tardy start on his debut in December, Paul Howling’s colt flew when asked the question and got to within a short head of the useful Nordic Affair.
The form from that seven-furlong heat could not have stood up any better either as Highland Harvest, Danehillsundance and Buckie Massa (third, fourth and fifth home respectively) have all won since.
Clearly a speedy tool on that evidence, it is not unreasonable to expect a huge run on his return to the track.
