Back Jack for Taunton triumph

Granit Jack came over from France with a huge reputation and it will be a big surprise if he cannot get off the mark in his division of the UBS “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton.

Bought by John Hales after winning four races in France, Granit Jack has so far failed to hit the same heights in Britain.

However, the fact that he was sent off a 4-7 chance on both occasions tells you how highly he is rated at home.

Throw into the mix that he is handled by champion trainer Paul Nicholls and he chose pitch him in at the deep end for both his starts, so the signs are that he must show something on the Ditcheat gallops.

The five-year-old travelled supremely well only to stop dramatically in both Grade Two races but he has entries in all three novice hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival so it is not time to give up on him yet.

If Euro American has recovered from a recent spill, he can take the Gosforth Decorating And Building Services Beginners’ Chase at Sedgefield.

A more than useful handicap hurdler, rated 136 at his best, he has made a pleasing start to his chase career for Edwin Tuer and finished third in a decent event on his debut behind Numero Un De Solzen and Cloudy Lane.

He improved on that in his next outing by being the only runner able to get the high-class hurdler Faasel off the bridle at Catterick.

He was in the process of running another big race at Kelso last week when he came down four out and it is high time he got off the mark over fences.

All-weather action is staged at Southwell, where Sister Etienne is sure to take a power of beating in the Pontin’s Family Holidays Selling Stakes.

David Barron’s filly has not been seen since scoring over course and distance in a similar event last year but looks head and shoulders above her rivals on that showing.

She is nothing exceptional but should be up to taking this weak event if putting her best foot forward.