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13:05 Leicester London Prize was subject of a monumental gamble at Down Royal on what was his hurdling debut last month. Ian Williams is not renowned for sending runners across the Irish Sea so the fact that he turned up and was then subject of a gamble spoke volumes. He is clearly held in high regard and despite finishing third to Bel Ami De Sivola it was still a good effort as he was still eighteen lengths clear of the fourth placed horse. He is fully entitled to come on for that run and connections would be keen to recoup some of their losses. He was smart when he was trained by John Ferguson and he looks set to carry on improving as the year progresses. Moscato was a five time winner on the flat when trained by Sir Mark Prescott. His form tailed off during the summer but a switch to the yard of Oliver Sherwood seems to have reignited his enthusiasm. There is no doubt that he poses the most significant threat to the selection this afternoon but this drastic reduction in trip may not be the answer. He seemed to improve for the longer trip last time so the decision to race here is mind boggling. Newera makes his first start over hurdles having left the yard of Tom Dascombe. A five time winner on the flat he is likely to appreciate the switch of codes and ought to make the frame at a decent price. LONDON PRIZE (WIN)
13:25 Market Rasen Vent Nivernais looks set to get his career back on track having unseated his rider when last seen out at his beloved Fakenham back in March. He is still completely unexposed and with the summer now behind him, he is sure to improve for the forthcoming season. Liam Treadwell has never won on the son of Shaanmer but he has plenty of experience in riding him. The softer the ground the better their chances look and receiving near enough a stone and a half from some rivals ought to be enough to see him getting involved. A few of his rivals here this afternoon certainly appear to have questions to answer and he ought to be fit enough at the first time of asking. Bertenbar certainly isnt getting any younger and he fluffed his lines on what was his debut for the Skelton’s earlier this month. He was sent off as favourite but was well and truly held when coming to grief when falling at the last, but he is likely to strip much fitter today. If getting into a fluent rhythm that saw him win three times in a row for Lawney Hill last year, he is very likely to pose the biggest threat from these rivals here this afternoon. Bryce Canyon is even more less exposed than the selection and is only a five year old. He seems to go well fresh so a couple of months off the track is unlikely to cause too much of a concern. Cheekpieces are fitted for the first time and they may be enough to encourage a little further improvement from him. VENT NIVERNAIS (WIN)
14:35 Leicester Clemency has shown enough in two starts so far this term to suggest that there are races to be won with him and this looks a more reasonable assignment for him to tackle this afternoon. He was tracking the leaders in third at Sandown last time when he was badly hampered and lost all chance. Those fences at Sandown take some jumping and all being well he should find these ones less formidable. Ned Curtis rides for the second time and his three pound claim will come in useful against this opposition. The decent ground looks sure to be in his favour and with the yard sending out no fewer than twenty winners inside the last month he has to rank highly on any shortlist. This is the lowest official mark that he has raced off and he commands utmost respect. Sweetlittlekitty provided somewhat of a shock when last seen out in June. She stayed on gamely to see off the challenge of Buckskin Boulta and Minella Treasure to win at odds of 33/1 for Rebecca Curtis and Jonathan Moore. The same combination team up here and if fit enough to do herself justice following the best part of six months off she may well make the frame for a very much in form yard. Tullow Tonic has much more on her plate here this afternoon than when winning at Towcester last week. A seven pound penalty and a rise in grade may not be enough to stop her making the frame. Pulling Power should come on in leaps and bounds from his most recent run for Kim Bailey but he would really need to in order to grab a place. Giving weight away here wont be easy against several in form rivals and he is best watched. CLEMENCY (WIN)