FATEHALKHAIR, whose five wins over jumps have all been gained at Sedgefield, returns to his favourite track tomorrow with an excellent chance of adding to his tally.
The Brian Ellison-trained six-year-old successful here last week, bids for the Harry Lane Memorial Handicap Hurdle in the hands of regular rider, Calvin McCormack.
Fatehalkhair had seven lengths to spare over the front-running Bures on his latest start, and was making handsome amends for a final hurdle fall at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, which robbed him of almost certain victory.
Penalised 6lb for last week's win, Fatehalkhair can shrug off the extra weight and underline his prowess as a course specialist.
Neltegrity has good prospects of completing a hat trick in the Alan Merrigan Memorial Handicap Chase.
Pam Sly's gelding has taken well to fences and, having opened his winning account last month at Huntingdon, followed-up in determined style at Catterick three weeks ago when beating Mr Fudge by one and three-quarter lengths.
Warren Marston again has the ride, the in-form jockey having ridden no less than three winners at Chepstow last Saturday.
Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy are rare visitors to Sedgefield, but the champion trainer and jockey can make their presence felt tomorrow, courtesy of Bahamian Knight in the Stanley Racing Novices' Hurdle.
A former useful Flat horse, Bahamian Knight has finished second in both his starts over hurdles at Lingfield and Newbury and ran a particularly good race in defeat last time out when chasing home the high-class Zaralaska. He should have too much firepower for his rivals here.
The Stanley Racing Handicap Hurdle offers Denticulata a good chance to notch his first success of the campaign.
At Folkestone, nap selection Millmount is expected to take all the beating in the Des Doherty (80) Handicap Hurdle.
Tom McGovern's gelding, a model of consistency this season, ran well in defeat at Ascot last time when, after striking the front at the second-last flight, he was only collared near the finish by Pealings, who scored by three-quarters of a length. Millmount can gain compensation tomorrow.Richard Johnson, who completed a sparkling four-timner at Warwick on Saturday, can add to his score on Frank Knows in the 'Gay Record' Challenge Trophy Handicap Chase.Frank Knows has had only three outings in the last two seasons and appears to have his share of training problems. But the eight-year-old shaped well to finish second to Sovereigns Parade on his reappearance at Ludlow last month. A slight improvement on that form here might be good enough to see him home in front.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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