Jorobaden, who created a big impression when scoring at Market Rasen last Sunday, can produce an encore tomorrow at Aintree.
On a programme in which the first three races will be televised live on BBC2, Jorobaden lines-up in the opening Digital Prints From bonusprint.com Handicap Hurdle and is fancied to get punters off to a good start.
Heather Dalton's gelding, formerly a useful stayer on the Flat, was mightily impressive on his latest start over hurdles, making much of the running and pulling ten lengths clear of runner-up Nathos on the run-in.
A 7lb penalty will make life more difficult for him tomorrow, but Jorobaden is plainly fit and well and he can again use those qualities to some effect in the hands of the in-form Patrick Merrigan, who rode him to victory last Sunday.
In the £50,000 bonusprint.com Old Roan Handicap Chase, My Will should give a good account of himself on his seasonal reappearance.
Representing the formidable partnership of trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh, My Will was a five-times winner last season. He looks set for another lucrative campaign and is selected to start off as he ended last term, on a winning note.
The bonusprint.com Novices' Chase, the other televised race on the card, should be fascinating.
Although Nicholls and Walsh are strongly represented by Star de Mohaison, and Alan King has a smart representative in Nykel, my vote goes to Philip Hobbs, who has a useful-looking recruit to fences in Supreme Serenade.
The six-year-old was a high-class hurdler last season and gave every indication, even then, of having the potential to be even more effective over the major obstacles. The Hobbs horses are in fine form and Supreme Serenade is expected to be hard to beat.
In the Bonusprint National Hunt Novices' Hurdle, Karanja is napped to steal the show.
Vic Dartnall's six-year-old was a high-class 'bumper' horse last season and would surely have gone well at the Cheltenham Festival had he not whipped around as the tape flicked back, unseating his rider Nina Carberry before the race had even got underway.
Karanja has what it takes to make a high-class novice over hurdles this season and, with Andrew Thornton in the saddle, he can begin this new phase of his career on a high note.
Nile Moon should not be overlooked in the bonusprint.com National Hunt Flat Race. Howard Johnson's gelding was withdrawn from an intended engagement at Market Rasen last Sunday because of unsuitable ground, but ran with promise on his only previous start at Newbury in the spring.
At Wincanton, McKelvey promises to run a big race in the £30,000 Fieldspring Desert Orchid Silver Cup Handicap Chase. Peter Bowen's gelding has taken well to fences and should be all the better for his recent outing at Bangor.
Spirit earns his reprieve
North Yorkshire racehorse Skhilling Spirit may have averted a trip to the sales ring with victory in the £30,000 DBS October Yearling Stakes at Doncaster yesterday.
After he had beaten Guto by three lengths, his Maunby, near Thirsk, trainer and part-owner David Barron said: "I think we'll hang on to him. He's in at Newmarket next week to sell but he's never stopped thriving and has got progressively better all year.
"We have plenty of dead wood without kicking those out who can run. But I'll have to discuss it."
Skhilling Spirit's win was the successful outcome to a plan hatched some time ago and Barron added: "He's a decent horse and once he learnt his job he's been alright and this race has been the target for quite a while."
Frankie Dettori (pictured above) made the right choice to romp home in style on Blue Mirage.
He was one of four jockeys to head for the far side of the track in the second division of the Gibson Booth EBF October Maiden Stakes and the move paid off in style as the Godolphin youngster scooted home by 14 lengths.
Sunday's tips
Aintree
2.15 Jorobaden, 2.45 Supreme Serenade, 3.20 My Will, 3.55 Karanja (Nap), 4.30 Chabrimal Minster, 5.05 Nile Moon.
Wincanton
1.50 Pak Jack, 2.20 Lord Anner, 2.55 Denman, 3.30 Runner Bean, 4.05 McElvey, 4.40 Sir Walter.
Tomorrow's other meeting is at Towcester.
Updated: 11:34 Saturday, October 22, 2005
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