Sport

Gevrey Chambertin to sparkle in Midlands National at Uttoxeter

Trainer Martin Pipe with stable jockey Tom Scudamore (left) watch the horses parede at David Pipe's stables in Nicholashayne Somerset. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday February 26 2009. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire.
Trainer Martin Pipe with stable jockey Tom Scudamore (left) watch the horses parede at David Pipe's stables in Nicholashayne Somerset. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday February 26 2009. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire. Trainer Martin Pipe with stable jockey Tom Scudamore (left) watch the horses parede at David Pipe's stables in Nicholashayne Somerset. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday February 26 2009. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire.

DAVID Pipe can record an impressive fifth triumph in the Betfred Midlands Grand National by saddling Gevrey Chambertin to Uttoxeter glory.

The nine-year-old was in the process of putting in one of his best performances for some time in the Eider Chase at Newcastle last month but unseated his rider at the 19th fence when travelling well in fifth place.

Be that as it may, Gevrey Chambertin remains nicely treated on his best form as he 1lb lower than when he won at Carlisle a year ago.

Pipe will have left no stone unturned to restore the grey's confidence in preparation for a crack at this valuable prize.

Harry Fry's decision to sidestep the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with American can pay dividends with a decent pay day in the Betfred TV Novices' Handicap Chase.

Fry describes American as fragile as his career record of just five starts shows, but there is also no denying his ability.

He has won both his races over fences this season and was most impressive when casting aside Champers On Ice in a Listed novice chase at Warwick in January.

With that form in the book, it is not surprising American heads the weights for this three-mile contest and, on all evidence, he looks up to the task.

Fry can also strike with Dashing Oscar in the Betfred-sponsored handicap hurdle.

Bollin Ace looks hard to beat in a disappointingly small field for the final of the Sun Bets Northern Staying Novices' Handicap Hurdle Series at Newcastle.

Tim Easterby's six-year-old can complete a hat-trick after two smooth victories at Sedgefield on her last two starts.

After the delights of the four-day Cheltenham Festival, even the bigger trainers have smaller fish to fry and Nicky Henderson has his sights on victory with Leaderofthedance in the Ian Vass 60th Birthday Celebration Mares' Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell.

Colin Tizzard is another leading handler who can strike at the West Sussex venue with Wizards Bridge. The eight-year-old won well over the course three weeks ago and a 6lb hike in the weights is unlikely to stop him following up over this longer trip.

Clic Work has been running consistently well and can land a nice prize for trainer Paul Nicholls in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Kempton.

At Wolverhampton, Dutch Uncle can up for trumps for trainer Ed Dunlop in the Betway Insider Handicap.

Cultram Abbey can atone for a recent slip-up at Carlisle when he returns to the Cumbria circuit on Sunday for the Thornby Veterans' Handicap Chase.

Trained in nearby Greystoke by Nicky Richards, the 10-year-old has only won once over fences, and that was way back in January 2016.

That slightly problematic statistic looked to have finally been laid to rest at Carlisle on February 20 when he took charge of an extended three-mile handicap chase.

Cultram Abbey only had the final fence to worry about, but it all unravelled quite spectacularly as he fell with the race at his mercy.

Redemption can be swift and satisfying.

Alf 'N' Dor is likely to take some stopping in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle at Ffos Las.

The six-year-old chestnut came alive over this course and distance on March 1 when he showed a nice bit of spirit to defeat Paddys Motorbike by half a length as the 11-4 favourite.

Alf 'N' Dor has not been excessively penalised by the assessor and must have a fighting chance of doubling up for the Peter Bowen team.

SELECTIONS:

Saturday

FONTWELL: 1.40 Postbridge, 2.15 Mr Bachster, 2.50 Leaderofthedance, 3.25 Curious Carlos, 4.00 Wizards Bridge, 4.35 Bound Hill, 5.10 William Money.

KEMPTON: 1.30 Trevisani, 2.05 Clic Work, 2.40 Brio Conti, 3.15 Ballybolley, 3.50 Mango Cap, 4.25 Milzipa, 5.00 Rooster Cogburn.

LIMERICK: 1.35 Leader's Choice, 2.10 Prince Charmin', 2.45 Sticky Situation, 3.20 Hareth, 3.55 For Carmel, 4.30 Remastered, 5.05 Hardline.

NEWCASTLE: 2.00 Reivers Lad, 2.35 The Ramblin Kid, 3.10 Vasco D'Ycy, 3.45 Bollin Ace, 4.20 Titian Boy, 4.55 Reverant Cust, 5.30 Fiddler's Flight.

UTTOXETER: 1.50 Graasten, 2.25 American, 3.00 Dashing Oscar, 3.35 GEVREY CHAMBERTIN (NAP), 4.10 Ballyarthur, 4.45 Ballycoe, 5.20 Flobury, 5.50 Buckby Boy.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.45 Cosmic Tigress, 6.15 What Usain, 6.45 Dutch Uncle, 7.15 Sufi, 7.45 Simply Clever, 8.15 First Experience.

DOUBLE: Gevrey Chambertin and American.

Sunday

CARLISLE: 2.15 Fattsota, 2.45 Gino Trail, 3.20 Magic Dancer, 3.55 CULTRAM ABBEY (NAP), 4.25 Lord Ballim, 5.00 Pearlysteps.

FFOS LAS: 2.00 Act Four, 2.30 Monbeg Aquadude, 3.00 Magical Man, 3.35 Alf 'N' Dor, 4.10 Lava Lamp, 4.45 Nansaroy, 5.15 Blue Bullet.

LIMERICK: 1.50 Logical Song, 2.20 Kate Appleby Shoes, 2.50 Mon Lino, 3.25 Boru Boy, 4.00 Goulane Davina, 4.35 Paper Lantern, 5.05 Double Scores.

NAVAN: 2.10 Baltazar D'Allier, 2.40 King's War, 3.10 Grand Partner, 3.45 The Tullow Tank, 4.20 Oscar Knight, 4.55 Ontopoftheworld, 5.25 Minellafordollars.

DOUBLE: Cultrum Abbey and Alf 'N' Dor.