Giovinco has been hailed by Lucinda Russell as a potential contender for this season’s major festivals and he can kick off his campaign with a win at Carlisle on Thursday afternoon.
The Download The Rhino.bet App Novices’ Chase has attracted several interesting runners, but none more promising than this six-year-old gelding.
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Bought for £85,000 last December after winning an Irish point-to-point, the son of Walk In The Park was unbeaten in three novice hurdle events during a spring campaign.
Following comfortable victories at Ayr and this course, Giovinco took a step up in class in his stride when romping home by 12 lengths against some highly-regarded rivals at Perth.
Already proven on ground ranging from good to heavy, he has been described as “an exciting horse to go novice chasing with” by his in-form handler.
Mellificent made a good impression when landing a Uttoxeter bumper on her first start for Jonjo O’Neill and was then denied a clear passage at crucial times in a hot contest at Market Rasen.
The six-year-old daughter of Fame And Glory remains a useful prospect and appeals in division two of the Rhino.bet Novices’ Hurdle, especially as she is bred to suit this step up to two-and-a-half miles.
At Ludlow, Norman Fletcher will be looking to get back on track in division one of the Tom Calvert Memorial Novices’ Hurdle for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies.
The four-year-old was very impressive when landing an April bumper at this course under a penalty and was sent off as an odds-on favourite for his jumping debut at Huntingdon.
Things did not go to plan that day, as Norman Fletcher was far from fluent at several obstacles before falling three out, but he seemed to get up off the floor in fine spirits and is worth sticking with.
In division two of the same contest, it may also pay to keep the faith with Dan Skelton’s Ittack Blue.
He fetched a whopping 310,000gns at the sales following a wide-margin point-to-point victory at Punchestown but was unlucky to come up against an even more expensive purchase when beaten by Jet Powered at Newbury on his debut under rules.
Ittack Blue then finished a long way behind the smart Luccia at Exeter but the hope is that a summer wind operation will help him to start justifying that hefty price tag this term.
Saunton Surf’s Aintree bumper win over Cadell was given a boost when the runner-up scored at Kelso recently and new trainer Warren Greatrex will be hoping for a bold showing in the Vera Davies Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
NAP: Giovinco (3.55 Carlisle)
DOUBLE: Mellificent (2.10 Carlisle)
TREBLE: Norman Fletcher (2.20 Ludlow)
YANKEE: Ittack Blue (2.55 Ludlow)
