Ian Ogg's Sunday Nap delivered the goods at Leicester and now Matt Brocklebank previews the Monday action.
Providing the 80-rated Flat recruit Master Dunraven doesn't take to hurdling like an absolute natural at the first time of asking, this can go the way of the Warren Greatrex-trained KORUS. He showed glimmers of ability in two bumper runs in the spring, particularly first time out when third at Market Rasen, and there wasn't much wrong with his neck second on a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon last month. The winner was 200/1 and the market leaders didn't appear to show their best but Korus stayed on well and jumped quite well despite racing a fraction keenly. He'll be all the wiser for the experience and looks up to beating Fromheretoeternity, who has to concede the 5lb penalty.
SNOOZE LANE hasn't done a whole lot wrong in five starts since returning from a break in early-September and should appreciate a return to this course and distance having twice filled the runner-up spot during October. He returned her last month for a mile handicap but didn't get anything like a clear passage when it mattered most and he's been dropped back down (1lb) to his previous mark. That's a pound lower than when successful at the same venue back in April and a more even, end-to-end gallop should hopefully help Sarah Hollinshead's horse show his true colours again.
MR HOPE STREET was narrowly denied his hat-trick at Carlisle and has to cope with a further 6lb rise but the step up to three miles could bring about the progress necessary to cope with his new mark while he's entitled to come on for the run, his first since May.
It's taken a while for the penny to drop with Mr Hope Street but this 'big, backward horse' has been learning on the job and should have more to offer. He may have been a shade unfortunate to bump into a progressive, sharper rival last time but Dan Skelton looks to have found a decent opportunity for Mr Hope Street to get his head back in front.
The answer might be nothing.
WHATS IN THE BAG failed to fire when favourite for his all-weather debut at Southwell and his stable was winless through November but it may be worth giving him another chance.
That was just his second start for Sean Woods and Whats In The Bag had shaped well on the first of them when unfancied by the market. Perhaps it was the 'bounce' factor given it was his second start since June 2023 but he's related to all-weather winners so the surface shouldn't be an issue and in his short career Whats In The Bag looks to have been crying out for this first attempt at six furlongs. He has the ability to win more races if he can put that Southwell flop behind him.
Fort George sets the standard having built on an eyecatching debut to go close over C&D last month. MERCHANT made an eyecatching debut of his own at Newmarket, finishing off his race well after a slow start to earn a spot in the My Stable tracker.
They don't always improve as expected but that was an encouraging start and the form has already been given a boost when the fifth home - a stablemate of Fort George - comfortably when his next start. The stable's runners at this track always merit respect and Merchant is taken to build on that initial promise.
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