EXPECT GREY SKIES (2.30, Nap) to shine in Hereford’s Vickers.Bet Novices’ Chase.
The seven-year-old makes his second start over fences, after an admittedly indifferent debut at Carlisle in October, finishing down the field.
That was his first run for 212 days and he should come on a ton for that first attempt.
He displayed good form over hurdles last year, winning a two-mile maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter on his first outing for Donald McCain l12 months ago, and then scored again the following month at Kelso, beating Escapeandevade by seven and a half lengths.
That rival notably romped home over the bigger obstacles at Kelso on Monday.
LOUP DE MAULDE (3.30, nb) was focused more on being a chaser last year, failing to notch up a win, before being transferred to the Robbie Llewellyn yard in October. He is now showing great form as a staying handicap hurdler.
The five-year-old has won twice in four starts over the same 3m 1f trip, most recently at Huntingdon nine days ago, when he won comfortably by eight and a half lengths.
He is on the same mark, and will take all the beating in the Cazoo Handicap Hurdle.
Wednesday’s selections
NEWCASTLE
11.50 QUERCUS ROBUR
12.20 VISITANT
12.50 CAPPARIS
1.20 PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL
1.50 MR COCO BEAN
2.20 POCKET THE PACKET
2.50 SIX O' HEARTS
3.20 FINAL FRONTIER
HEREFORD
1.00 BALIYAD
1.30 TESSY LAD
2.00 BIG CHANGES
2.30 GREY SKIES (NAP)
3.00 LILLYWAVE
3.30 LOUP DE MAULDE (NB)
4.00 WIND TOR
KEMPTON
4.55 CLADDAGHDUFF
5.30 INCLEMENT WEATHER
6.00 STAR GUEST
6.30 WINNETKA
7.00 CORINTHIAN KID
7.30 ELOSO
8.00 SISTERS IN THE SKY
8.30 SICARIO
DAILY DOUBLE: GREY SKIES and LOUP DE MAULDE
