23-Jan-2010

Winner of a handicap hurdle at Exeter in November last season, Victor Dartnall’s gelding sometimes doesn’t look the most straightforward, but he would have finished at worst second in a two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Exeter in November had he not unseated his rider at the last. He made amends next time, however, back at Exeter when stepped up to three miles for the first time over fences and making all to gamely repel the useful Connak, the pair of them finishing clear. He has gone up 7lb for that, but he is progressive, that was just his third start over fences, and the useful Harry Skelton takes 3lb off today. It is going to be tough, even with 11st 9lb on his back, but he is a relentless galloper who handles the ground, and he is over-priced at 16/1 in my book.

RICHARD’S SUNDANCE WON (ADV 16/1, SP 14/1)