ITV Racing Tips & Preview

Without wishing to jinx the chances of COO STAR SIVOLA (best price 4-1), his fencing technique has been sound in the main and he could well make his first dip in to handicap chases a winning one. The selection has bumped into a couple of smart novices this term in the shape of Kalondra and Finian’s Oscar so may appreciate tackling some rather more exposed rivals  here as he looks to inch up the handicap in preparation for a tilt at a Cheltenham Festival target. 

Purchased by renowned bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley for 110,000gns, INDIAN HAWK (best price 11-4) carried forward a wide-margin point win to his debut under rules at Ludlow to score in emphatic fashion and he should find conditions again to his liking here. Some felt he carried his head a little high last time, but he travelled sweetly throughout and his cruising speed allied with stamina could make him tough to beat. Of his rivals, Samuel Jackson appeals as a threat as he appears to relish a test of stamina and has displayed a great temperament in scoring at Taunton and Bangor.

Backing a horse which was pulled up on his seasonal reappearance may not be for the feint-hearted, but there were mitigating circumstances for AMERICAN (best price 5-1) posting a lacklustre showing at Newbury in the Ladbroke Trophy. The ground may not have been soft enough for the mud-loving eight-year-old, while he also lost a shoe and suffered an over-reach before rider Noel Fehily called a halt to his effort.  

Trainer Harry Fry is on record detailing American’s history of ailments so he is hardly the most robust of characters, however he is extremely talented when encountering his favoured conditions and the prospect of further rain this morning will enhance his chance. I can’t believe his talented and patient trainer would take a chance on running the gelding if he wasn’t totally happy with his preparation and American may find the track more to his liking than likely market leader Bristol De Mai who has made a series of jumping errors on the two previous occasions he has visited Prestbury Park.  

MARIA’S BENEFIT (best price 10-11) has proved a revelation this season and connections have their eye on the Cheltenham Festival if she emerges from this event unscathed. She is reported to ideally prefer better ground than she encountered at Taunton when running out a 30-length scorer so a repeat of that level of performance is going to make her tough to resist here.

Santini will top most shortlists for a cracking renewal given the might of connections and his comprehensive Newbury win so he sets a strong standard as his impressive physique suggests he is going to improve with racing, while stablemate Pacific De Baune also won at Newbury before Christmas and shouldn’t be underestimated.  

However, narrow preference is for TIKKANBAR (best price 13-2) even if his hurdling lacks a little proficiency at present. He was a smooth winner at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, scoring with plenty in hand, and there could be better to come if he can gain a lead and find some fluency at his obstacles. 

Given that L’Ami Serge is rated 7lb lower over fences than hurdles, it is no surprise to see him occupying the position at the head of the market. There is no doubting he is a class act, however, he rarely finds as much off the bridle as is expected so he might not be one to play at a tight price. Mustmeetalady and VIBRATO VALTAT (best price 16-1) fought out a terrific finish over course and distance before Christmas and, with the ground softer than ideal for the former, narrow preference is for the latter to spring a mini surprise at a price. The selection seemed to stay three miles well enough last time and could be an enticing prospect and he is far from exposed at today’s trip.

Finian’s Oscar returns to hurdles with the first-time tongue tie applied and it will be intriguing to see how the switch from fences transpires. He raced pretty lazily at Ascot over fences last time, but still boasts huge amount of ability and potential and may well take some beating. However, the forecast morning rain will be music to the ears of trainer Nick Williams and the doughty AGRAPART (best price 8-1) appeals as an each-way alternative. The selection was a shade unfortunate not to finish closer to Wholestone here last time as a bad error three out, just as the race was hotting up, was the undoing of the seven-year-old and he should be on the scene.