IMSHIVALLA can make a belated return to the winner’s enclosure if she runs to somewhere near her best form at Redcar this afternoon.
The likeable mare from Richard Fahey’s yard has been hit and miss since she won a nice prize at Epsom in June.
But she showed a little more vim at Ayr last time and must be recognised as more than a bit-part player for the Muriel Noddings Birthday Celebration Handicap over a mile-and-a-quarter.
Despite having disappointed in a Listed race at the Western Meeting in Scotland, Imshivalla responded purposefully just two days later to finish a close third in a class two handicap.
That was a really bold effort from the front and one that must give Fahey plenty of optimism with this race in mind.
The five-year-old daughter of Acclamation is 2lb higher in the weights than when she won so handsomely at Epsom, but that is hardly an insurmountable burden.
With a bit of dig in the ground practically a given for this time of year, even in spite of the unseasonably dry spell, hopes are high that Imshivalla can sign off from the turf season with a bit of a flourish.
Mazzini is respected in the 32Red.com Handicap at Kempton.
A good third at Ascot in September, having previously endured horrid luck at Yarmouth, James Fanshawe’s three-year-old is now back on the all-weather trail.
The manner in which he won a fair race at Newcastle in August is an important snippet of form when it comes to assessing this six-furlong test.
Garde La Victoire can add his name to an illustrious roll of honour in the 188Bet Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.
The Grade Two handicap chase has been claimed by some serious sharp-shooters, with the likes of Best Mate, Azertyuiop and Cue Card on the scoresheet.
Now might be the moment for Garde La Victoire to make a genuine statement of intent for the Philip Hobbs operation.
The second-season chaser is a lovely horse, but he fell at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals.
It must be remembered that he was well in contention in the JLT Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham when he came to grief four out.
Garde La Victoire was given time off to recuperate after Aintree but looked the essence of vitality upon his return to the fray at Ffos Las in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.
* CUE Card is expected to be spot on for his bid to win the Betfair Chase for a third time after needing his seasonal debut at Wetherby on Saturday.
Colin Tizzard’s top-class performer faded into third behind Irish Cavalier in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, a race he won 12 months earlier, after leading a long way out.
Connections plan to use more patient tactics when he returns to Haydock on November 19 for the three-mile feature he won in 2013 and 2015.
“We told Paddy [Brennan] not to be afraid to liven him up if you’re going well. Hindsight’s a great thing,” Joe Tizzard, assistant to his father, said.
“I’ve seen him this morning and he’s absolutely fine and he will come on for his run.
“He’s easier to ride now and we’re not used to seeing him switched off and behind horses. I think next time we’ll just leave it to Paddy and wait a bit longer.
“He needed his first run. Although he’d had a racecourse gallop, he’s an older horse and you can only do so much at home. He’ll be bang on for Haydock.”
