George Moore, who saddled his 700th winner as a trainer at Hamilton last week, can be on the mark again with Iron Express in the Weatherbys Insurance Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs at Sedgefield this afternoon.
Although that landmark was achieved on the Flat, Moore is best known for his exploits with his jumpers and his seven-year-old shaped as though coming to hand when second to Carnacrack at Cartmel earlier this month.
My selection finished clear of the remainder on that occasion and the step back to this trip shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience, especially if plenty of use is made of his confirmed stamina.
Moore's In Extremis II has a squeak on his second to Flame Creek in May in the betfair.com Beginners Chase but, as he's been well beaten since, the best option could be to side with Lucinda Russell's Santa Lucia.
The seven-year-old was claimed out of Michael Dods' after winning a Perth claimer last time.
But he's the sort that could take to the larger obstacles and he wouldn't need to improve too much on his hurdles form to win this.
Richard Johnson, who takes the ride on Santa Lucia, can get the day off to a good start with Super Lucky in the Northern Social Club Mares Only Novices Hurdle over two miles and one furlong.
Although it wasn't much of a race she won at Perth last time, she shouldn't be troubled by the drop in trip and this race doesn't look any more competitive.
Johnson has good claims of completing the three-timer aboard Kate
Milligan's Cameron Jack in the Hardwick Hall Hotel Handicap Hurdle over the extended three miles and three furlongs.
The eight-year-old has been rejuvenated since being switched back to hurdles and, although up 7lb for his latest success, he could easily prove up to the task with ground and trip in his favour.
At Folkestone, Scarrottoo looks interesting in the cheekpieces under Jamie Spencer and is taken to go well at decent odds in the Tote Placepot Showcase Handicap over his optimum trip of seven furlongs.
Stuart Williams' runner has been shaping as though a return to winning ways is on the cards and he's 10lb lower than when taking this corresponding race last year. He's preferred to the in-form Border Artist.
At Yarmouth's evening meeting the best on the card looks to be Faraway Lady in the Angels Gentleman's Club Handicap over two miles.
Luca Cumani's runner turned in a much improved effort when upped to this trip at Beverley last week when beating a reliable yardstick and her capable apprentice offsets most of the 6lb penalty she picks up for that win. The reliable Strathspey looks worth an interest now upped to a mile and a quarter in the Halls Group Fillies Handicap.
Chris Wall has been among the winners of late and this ultra-reliable sort, who still figures on a favourable mark, is taken to beat Williams' Individual Talents, who showed much improved form at Nottingham on Saturday. At Windsor, Guilded Flyer, who is also a reliable sort who knows how to win, is taken to make all the running in the HLT Entertainment Handicap over a mile and a quarter.
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