Sparkling cone can outshine his rivals in the Tote Lady In Red Chase over an extended three and a quarter miles at Chepstow today. The Venetia Williams-trained grey scored twice last season on soft going at Towcester and heavy at Chepstow.
He reappeared in the Coral Welsh National over an extended three miles and five furlongs at the end of December and ran very well until his stamina gave out. He raced in touch with the leaders until four from home before gradually fading and was pulled up approaching two out.
Sparkling Cone, who goes well fresh, will be more at home over today's shorter trip and with underfoot conditions in his favour he is made the nap selection to take the day's Showcase Handicap with most to fear from recent Warwick winner Choisty.
Rob Mine, the easy winner of a point-to-point last month, can get the better of some promising sorts in the Earthstoppers Hunters' Chase.
At Ludlow Captain Dee Cee can open his account over timber in the Racecourse Plumber Maiden Hurdle. Simon Sherwood's six-year-old looks an interesting prospect having shown fair winning form in bumpers last term.
He made his hurdling debut at Exeter in November when he took a good hold in the early stages and was soon at the head of affairs only to weaken after three out to finish a 13-length fifth behind the useful Hulysse Royal.
Secret Bay, who recently beat Cherrynut by 25 lengths in a point-to-point, can provide the top trainer-jockey team of Caroline Bailey and Ben Pollock with another success in the Weatherbys Point-To-Point & Hunter Chase Planner Hunters' Chase.
Secret Spring, who finished well to take seventh place, beaten around two lengths behind Foreign Editor over seven furlongs at Lingfield last time, can improve on that effort to land the onemile Bet Direct `Today's Best Bets' Handicap at the Surrey venue.
Fusul has scored two impressive victories at Lingfield lately and can defy a 6lb penalty to complete his three-timer in the Terry Maher Is 50 Today Handicap.
