Catching Pigeons gossip column: Kempton and Lingfield preview
Our top gossip column returns and is expecting Clondaw Castle to come out on top in Saturday's Close Brothers Handicap Chase at Kempton.
3.35 Kempton - Clondaw Castle
Clondaw Castle can make a winning first appearance over three miles in the Close Brothers Handicap Chase at Kempton on Saturday.
Tom George has done well in this race in the past with the likes of Nacarat and Double Shuffle, who should run another sound race here. However, Clondaw Castle boasts some very solid form and unlike his stablemate, may have a little more improvement in him now he steps up in trip.
A proven performer on good ground, he has been admirably consistent this term, winning a very good two-and-a-half mile handicap at Newbury before producing two decent placed performances at Grade 2 level.
When achieving his win at the Berkshire course, he gave the impression he might be at least as effective over a longer trip having stayed on strongly from the last after looking a little flat-footed three out. He is the one to beat but for those looking for an even bigger priced proposition could do worse than invest on the very much in-form Chris Gordon's runner Mellow Ben.
1.15 Kempton - Diocletian
Andrew Balding has done well when he has dipped his toe into the jumping pool and he looks to have a great chance of landing the Close Brothers Asset Finance Handicap Hurdle with Diocletian.
A useful stayer on the flat, he took an outing to find his feet over obstacles but came good at the third time of asking with an easy win at Fakenham in December. This will be a much tougher task but he looks nicely weighted for his handicap debut and will be freshened up for his two month break.
1.50 Kempton - Ga Law
Ga Law can return to winning ways on his comeback from a winter break in the Grade 2 Close Brothers Pendil Novices Chase.
Jamie Snowden has the Randox Grand National meeting in mind for this French import who won three races on the bounce for the Lambourn trainer in the autumn, including an emphatic win in a Grade 2 at Wincanton in November.
Although well beaten by Allmankind in the Henry VIII on his latest start, he ran a sound race on ground softer than he prefers and underfoot conditions have come right for him at the Sunbury course after the recent dry weather.
3.00 Kempton - Calico
Calico may not have beaten much when he sluiced in at Ludlow on his hurdling bow but he looked a very useful prospect and he can underline the point with a big run in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Dovecote Novices Hurdle.
Dan Skelton could not be in better form at the moment and plenty of improvement can be anticipated from this lightly-raced smart ex-flat performer in Germany.
2.10 Newcastle - Black Pirate
Black Pirate can gain his first success over fences in the Vertem - Very Different Stockbrokers Novices' Handicap Chase at Newcastle.
James Ewart will be hoping a recent breathing operation will allow his charge to reproduce his very useful hurdle and bumper form on his third start over fences but is also adding blinkers for the first time and a return to a course which should suit.
The booking of champion jockey Brian Hughes, who won on him twice over timber, is another plus and despite the big weight of 12 stone, he looks to have a decent handicap mark.
3.15 Newcastle - Salty Boy
Salty Boy has been running some good races over shorter distances this season and looks worth an interest in the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase.
This traditional slog over four miles plus tests stamina to the limit and David Bridgwater's eight-year-old has always looked as though he will stay further, even though he showed when fourth to Sevarano on good ground over two-and-a-half at Sandown on his comeback, that he has he bit of toe as well.
7.30 Chelmsford - Epic Express
James Ferguson has his team in good form and Epic Express can build on his debut effort at Lingfield last month in the tote.co.uk Now Never Beaten By SP Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Chelmsford.
Despite a very fast start, the son of Twilight Son showed his lack of experience during the race and did well to finish fifth behind Red Evelyn. He has taken the exertions well and is expected to step up on that performance here.
2.50 Hereford, Sunday - Raffles Gitane
On Sunday, Harry Whittington saddles Anemoi in the novice handicap chase at Fontwell and promising ex-Irish point to pointer Brave Kingdom in the closing bumper.
He is also running a very interesting French import called Raffles Gitane in the MansionBet App Fillies' Juvenile Maiden Hurdle at Hereford. By Kapgarde out of the very smart Gitanes Du Berlais, she is working very well and does not look highly-tried in this.
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