NORTH Yorkshire trainer John Quinn, who is planning to saddle his rising star Aurore d'Estruval in Saturday's Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, has eyes only on Sedgefield today as El Beau bids to make it two out of two over hurdles.
The three-year-old could hardly have been more impressive when making a winning debut at Musselburgh earlier this month. Sent off the 9-5 favourite, he won decisively by nine lengths from Announcement, who has since franked the form by scoring at Leicester.
Norton-based Quinn has a high opinion of El Beau, who is set to carry a penalty in the SIS Dylan Meale Memorial Juvenile Hurdle with Dougie Costello again on board. He promises to take all the beating.
Carters Rest may be 11-years-old, but the gelding rolled back the years when winning on this course four weeks ago and it would be no surprise to see him follow up in the bookmaker.co.uk Handicap Chase.
Trained by George Bewley, Carters Rest galloped home strongly to account for Oorayvic by four and a half lengths on his latest outing. He has been raised 8lb for that success, but it may not be enough to halt him. Brother Scott, trained by Sue Smith, and runner-up on his last two starts over fences, promises to give him most to do.
Bingley-based Smith also has a good chance with nap selection Silver Vogue in the No Deposit Free Bets With bookmakers.co.uk Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
The six-year-old was beaten only a length and a half into second by Trafficer at Wetherby at the beginning of the month. That was a handicap hurdle and Silver Vogue now switches to fences. Provided he jumps well over the major obstacles, he should go well over two and a half miles which is right up his street.
At Southwell, North Yorkshire jockey Paul Mulrennan, just one winner shy of his maiden century, can reach his notable milestone aboard Invincible Wish in the 32Red Casino Claiming Stakes.
Trained by Brian Ellison, the two-year-old finished runner-up to Excelling Oscar over this course and distance last week in selling company. It would hardly take an improved effort to come out on top in this contest and provide Mulrennan with a memorable triumph in what has been an outstanding year for the rider, who lives near Boroughbridge and who is number one jockey to Hambleton trainer Bryan Smart.
Reach The Beach, the mount of Ben Curtis, has good prospects of lifting the Coral Mobile Handicap for trainer Brendan Powell.
The daughter of Phoenix Reach ran out a decisive winner on this course a couple of weeks ago when scoring by four lengths from Royal Marskell. The handicapper has raised Reach The Beach by 6lb, but is fancied to follow up, perhaps at the main expense once again of Royal Marskell, who re-opposes under Tom Eaves.
Best Tamayuz has found a rich seam of form lately since being equipped with a hood. The Scott Dixon-trained gelding has struck on his last two visits to this track and there is every chance he can complete a hat-trick in the £20 Risk-Free Bet At Unibet Handicap. Luke Morris has the mount.
Also worth noting at Southwell are course winner Red Invader (12.40) and Master Dan (2.40), who is overdue a win after finishing runner-up on his last two starts.
Selections
Sedgefield today
12.20 Jacks Last Hope, 12.50 El Beau, 1.20 Apache Pilot, 1.50 Silver Vogue (NAP), 2.20 Amir Pasha, 2.50 Carters Rest, 3.20 Legacy Phoenix.
Southwell today
12.10 Company Secretary, 12.40 Red Invader, 1.10 Wu Zetian, 1.40 Padlock, 2.10 Invincible Wish, 2.40 Master Dan, 3.10 Reach The Beach, 3.40 Best Tamayuz.
Today's other meeting: Lingfield.
Tomorrow's meetings: Wetherby, Fontwell, Kempton and Lingfield.
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