Stu Williams has a strong fancy in Ireland on Saturday, while he has a couple of selections on the card at Hereford.
Gordon Elliott will undoubtedly have one eye, if not both, fixed upon the Cheltenham Festival. However, Elliott rarely misses an opportunity to land a decent prize and he can do just that on Saturday with the potentially well-handicapped DIAMOND TURF.
Gigginstown's seven-year-old failed to land a blow on his first three starts over fences. However, he was beaten just a neck when dropping back to two miles at Down Royal in January, and he will make his handicap debut off a lowly mark of 124.
The winner that day, namely Castle Oliver, received 7lbs and is now rated 129 after following up in a decent handicap at Naas four weeks later. That form obviously looks very solid indeed, and it gives the impression that Diamond Turf could be well ahead of the handicapper.
This trip should suit him well and heavy ground is no bother. Therefore he should go close with talented conditional Gavin Brouder taking a handy 7lbs off his back.
BABY KING may be able to get his nose in front in the two mile handicap chase at Hereford.
The battle-hardened 11-year-old has been dropped 3lbs following a respectable fifth at Musselburgh five weeks ago. The winner, Greaneteen, is favourite for next week's Grand Annual. While the runner-up Cracking Destiny was successful next time out and the third placed Locker Room Talk had won his two previous starts.
Baby King bumped into a very well treated rival at Aintree in November and he is now rated 3lbs below his last winning mark. He will receive lumps of weight from three of his four rivals and he is more than capable in this grade.
Five of his six career victories have been achieved on soft ground and Tom George has sent out four winners from his last eight runners. Therefore it would be no surprise should Baby King roll back the years.
The following novices' hurdle hardly sets the pulse racing. However, FARRANTS WAY will make his belated hurdling debut following 353 days off the track and he rates an intriguing contender judged on his bumper form last season.
The Trevor Hemmings-owned six-year-old was soundly beaten by the well regarded King Roland on his racecourse debut at Uttoxeter in December 2018, and he again chased home that rival when fourth at Ffos Las two months later.
The runner-up on the latter occasion, namely Stick With Bill, has already won twice over hurdles and has earned an official rating of 132, while the third, Shakem Up'Arry, chased home Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Shishkin in January and was prominent in the betting for Saturday's abandoned Imperial Cup.
It's possible that something was amiss when Farrants Way failed to justify odds of 2/9 on his only subsequent outing at Haydock last March, which may explain his lengthy absence since.
Venetia Williams is perfectly adept at preparing those in her care following such an absence and Farrants Way is worth chancing in this mediocre heat.
Posted at 1720 GMT on 06/03/20
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