We have a busy day’s racing on Monday with action from Brighton, Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton, live on Sky Sports Racing... Danehill Star chases a hat-trick in the Bet £20 Get £40 in Free Bets at matchbook.com Handicap. The Tony Carroll-trained gelding has been in the form of his life, winning on his last two starts.
The first came over course and distance by half a length, before he bolted up by over five lengths at Bath. The handicapper has not missed him, as he has been raised ten pounds since these wins, but the manner in which he won at Bath suggests that he holds strong claims in rounding off a hat-trick of wins. Newfangled perhaps poses the biggest threat having won this race last season off just a one-pound lower mark.
He has hit form at the right time, finishing a creditable third at Windsor last time out. Course-specialist Dion Baker has found it tough from a mark of 73, a rise of 36 pounds since beginning his winning run at the track in late May. He holds a chance, having fallen two pounds in the handicap, and On The Inlet could be competitive if he can resume his early-season progression back down in class.
Dovecote fourth Matiwo returns in the Jodie Standing's Point-To-Point Recruits Novices' Hurdle. Matiwo looked a promising juvenile hurdler last season having won a decent Newbury novice in taking fashion before finishing a brilliant fourth in the Grade Two Dovecote Hurdle where he travelled like one of the best in the race. That day he beat some exciting types including subsequent Grade One Top Novices' Hurdle winner, Storming George.
His current form and unexposed profile puts him well above his opposition and he should prove very tough to beat on seasonal reappearance. Ride Like A Girl looked promising after wind surgery when winning in May but has not progressed since. If coming on for his last run following a short break, he could be competitive with experience and fitness onside.
Scott's Legacy would pose the chief threat if taking to obstacles on hurdle debut, having won impressively in a good bumper at Southwell in March. Pappano contains a lot of ability having been rated 96 on the flat and contested this year's Triumph hurdle for Willie Mullins. He has not shaped with much promise on two hurdling starts and raced too keenly last time out, and now has plenty to prove.
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