Novelista chases a first success at Southwell
We have a busy day’s racing on Wednesday with jumps action from Sedgefield and Southwell, live on Sky Sports Racing...4.00 Southwell - Road To Wembley and Novelista seek hurdles successRoad To Wembley and Novelista clash in an informative Country And Western Night 25th April Maiden Hurdle at Southwell.
Olly Murphy's Road To Wembley ran with plenty of promise when second on his first start over hurdles at Warwick and with natural progression expected he ought to go well for champion jockey Sean Bowen.
The main danger looks to be Novelista. Useful on the level, he could only manage sixth behind Winston Junior on hurdles debut at Ascot in January and has been given a bit of time since.Top Coeur, rated 116, completes the shortlist for Christian Williams and Kielan Woods.
3.10 Sedgefield - Realisation and Mountain Mike do battleA trappy affair sees Realisation and Mountain Mike contest the Play Like A Stockton Rocket Handicap Chase at Sedgefield.
The Charlie Longsdon-trained eight-year-old recorded a first chasing success on her ninth start over this course and distance last month and she should remain competitive off this six-pound higher mark.
Mountain Mike is a lightly-raced type who ran his best race over fences when second behind Bective Abbey at Hereford 25 days ago and he might benefit from this extra distance and a one-pound drop in the ratings.Ailt An Chorrain ran a cracker when runner-up on his penultimate run at Catterick but disappointed at the same venue and will need to bounce back.
3.00 Southwell - Recent winner Big Boy Barney takes on IntenzoBig Boy Barney faces Intenzo in a quality Easter Family Fun Day 5th April Novices' Handicap Chase at Southwell.Recent winner Big Boy Barney got off the mark over fences when winning nicely at Huntingdon and, given that was his first run since December, there should be more to come with Jonathan Burke taking over in the plate.Mark Walford saddles Intenzo who shaped encouragingly on his first try over fences at Sedgefield last time and warrants respect as he heads up in trip under Jamie Hamilton.Ukantango didn't have the cleanest of passages at Warwick on his previous start and is another to note as he switches to the larger obstacles.
Best of the restSha Tin - Zac Purton and Andrea Atzeni are in action on the all-weather.3.30 Southwell - Queens Charm and Rose Of Knocknamoe clash.4.30 Southwell - Passing Pleasure looks to return to winning ways.4.40 Sedgefield - Cosmic Soul bids for a hat-trick.1.12 Compiegne - Group Three contest with eight runners.12.27 Compiegne - Listed affair.
