Jamie Snowden has a good record with his northern raiders this season and Colonel Harry looks set to add to that in the quinnbet.com Novices’ Hurdle at Newcastle.
Jamie Snowden clearly feels a bit more experience is worthwhile before dipping his toe back into choppier waters come the spring, however, we know already that Colonel Harry is a bit better than a normal novice hurdler.
A winning Irish pointer, he was a beaten favourite on his debut for Snowden but the winner, Mofasa, went on to win at Cheltenham next time out and was placed at Grade Two level at the weekend.
That was over two and a half miles but back down at two, Colonel Harry bolted up at Sandown on heavy ground and while that form has not really worked out, Colonel Harry has proved his ability since.
Upped up to the highest level for the Tolworth Hurdle back at Sandown, he was far from disgraced when just over six lengths behind Tahmuras.
He travelled like a really nice horse and this two-miles-one is his trip for now.
Castle Rushen was beaten by a potentially nice horse in O'Toole last time out and can go one better in the Quinnbet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase.
The lightly-raced eight-year-old has taken on the likes of My Drogo and Threeunderthrufive in his career and was given a very quiet ride from Brian Hughes last time out.
Dropped right out, he ran on to be beaten less than four lengths but having failed to complete first time over fences, it should have boosted his confidence.
Another plus is that he races over an extra half a mile this time, which is surely in his favour.
Georgi Girl can given Philip Hobbs a welcome winner in the West Wales Properties Junior "National Hunt" Hurdle at Ffos Las.
Barring Thyme Hill, it has been a slow season so far for Hobbs, but Georgi Girl looks a nice prospect.
A five-and-a-half-length winner on her racecourse debut at Ludlow, that form looks pretty decent.
The second, Jaminska, was an easy winner next time out, so Hobbs will be looking to see her follow up.
Poetic Music faced a very stiff task last time out against Nicky Henderson's Luccia at Newbury.
She was not totally disgraced back in third, though, and back down in the calmer waters of the Lucky Chancer Mares' Novices' Hurdle, she should return to winning ways at Ffos Las.
The Michael Dods-trained Irish Flame looked better than average when winning on his stable debut at Newcastle.
He has to defy a penalty in the Spreadex Sports Best Premier League Odds Novice Stakes at Southwell, but the son of Dark Angel would certainly have won with another 7lb on his back last time out.
With Clive Cox as a young horse, he only made it to the track once before being sold for just 25,000 guineas.
His one run was far from devoid of promise, though, when fifth of 12 in a Windsor maiden so he possibly had problems.
Nevertheless, there were none on show at Newcastle and he looks a shrewd purchase.
Karl Burke's Sir Robin can return to winning ways in the BetUK's Acca Club £5 Free Bet Handicap.
Second on his debut at Catterick, he then went one better back there before landing short odds at Doncaster.
Returning from a 179-day break, he was a fair third at Newcastle in the new year and should strip fitter for that.
SELECTIONS:
FFOS LAS: 1.05 Bert Wilson, 1.40 Georgi Girl, 2.15 Flowing Cadenza, 2.50 Top Target, 3.25 Immortal Fame, 4.00 Poetic Music, 4.35 Hello Pops.
LIMERICK: 12.25 Like Ta Ma, 12.57 Buddy One, 1.32 Alo's Vision, 2.07 Paul Marvel, 2.42 Natural Breeze, 3.17 Caoimhes Pet, 3.52 Blizzard Of Oz.
LINGFIELD: 1.15 Quel Destin, 1.50 Teddy Blue, 2.25 Spring Note, 3.00 Parliament Hill, 3.35 Kenny George, 4.10 Learntalot.
NEWCASTLE: 12.50 Slugger, 1.25 Red Missile, 2.00 COLONEL HARRY (NAP), 2.35 Castle Rushen, 3.10 Fame And Concrete, 3.45 Don't Talk, 4.20 Dollar Bae.
SOUTHWELL: 5.00 Velma, 5.30 Irish Flame, 6.00 Shouldvebeenaring, 6.30 Sir Robin, 7.00 Harswell Rose, 7.30 Chuck Taylor, 8.00 Battle Point, 8.30 Isle Of Wolves.
DOUBLE: Colonel Harry and Irish Flame.
