Bold Gait, an easy winner at Newbury earlier this month, returns to the Berkshire course tomorrow with excellent prospects of doubling his score.

The Placepot Growing With Tote Direct Handicap Hurdle is the target for Bold Gait, a former useful stayer on the Flat, who won the 1995 Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

The seven-year-old suffered leg problems and missed two seasons of racing but has been nursed back to top form by trainer James Fanshawe.

After a best tally of 52 winners on the Flat, Newmarket-based Fanshawe is still enjoying a purple patch and will saddle leading fancy The Toiseach in Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

Tomorrow, though, hopes rest on Bold Gait, who created a very favourable impression on his latest start when romping home seven lengths clear of Stone Ridge.

Running off a handy weight in this handicap, Bold Gait will take plenty of beating in the hands of Jamie Osborne.

Mr Strong Gale makes plenty of appeal in the Jacky Upton Handicap Chase.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is chasing a hat-trick of wins and was never off a tight rein to beat Camatrov by four lengths at Kempton on his latest start. A 6lb penalty is unlikely to be enough to anchor him here.

Village King, unbeaten in four starts over fences this season, can extend his winning sequence in the Oxfordshire Novices' Chase.

Philip Hobbs' smart gelding confirmed his growing prowess when winning a handicap at Cheltenham on his latest start, a race which has worked out well. With Richard Dunwoody in the saddle, Village King will be a tough nut to crack.

The well-regarded Door To Door (1.00) and the promising Sherganzar (3.30) are two others to note at Newbury.

At Bangor, Nap selection Welsh Marsh can make his journey from George Moore's Middleham yard worthwhile by landing the Morris Nicholson Cartwright Handicap Chase.

A creditable runner-up to Golden Hello at Wetherby last month on his reappearance, Welsh March started favourite to go one better at Ayr 12 days ago and was eight lengths clear when coming to grief at the final fence.

Compensation awaits the North Yorkshire gelding here, with the excellent Richard Johnson booked for the ride.

Johnson also rides Meg's Memory, who will appreciate the drop back to the bottom division in the Eyton Selling Handicap Hurdle after contesting a non-seller at Uttoxeter last time.

She is trained by Andy Streeter, who has had two winners already this week.

Nasayer could find opportunity knocking in the Llanarmon Novices' Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old, who has shown a degree of promise, represents the in-form partnership of Norman Mason and Richard Guest, successful in the big race at Ascot last Saturday with Red Marauder.

TOMORROW'S TIPS

NEWBURY

1.00.......................Door To Door

1.30.........................Village King

2.00....................Mr Strong Gale

2.30..............................Bold Gait

3.00..............................Shadiann

3.30..........................Sherganzar

BANGOR

1.20.....................Meg's Memory

1.50..........................Shore Party

2.20...........................Royal Then

2.50.............Welsh March (Nap)

3.20................................Nasayer

3.50.....................Powder Hound

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