RECORD ATTEMPT: Palacegate Touch will bid to complete an elite trio of the most prolific winners in modern British Flat racing at Wolverhampton today when he chases a 34th career victory.
Alan Berry's 11-year-old proved himself a true long-player when he notched his 33rd success, via a dead-heat in selling company at Southwell last week.
This will be his 182nd race and the Petong gelding has netted £140,000 in win and place money.
If he can notch another course-and-distance win in the Bet.watch.live.attheraces.co.uk Selling Stakes he will equal the achievements of High Stakes and Le Garcon d'Or who share the record jointly.
Palacegate Touch has been given every chance with a middle draw but has likely favourite Dil and top-weight Branston Pickle to beat.
Even so trainer Alan Berry has good reason for optimism, having reported the grey gelding in fine shape following his most recent success. "It's great to see him still running with so much enthusiasm," he said.
NOVICE PLANS: Len Lungo is confident his exciting novices Direct Access and The Bajan Bandit are ready to step up in class - and either or both may take their chance at Cheltenham this week.
Direct Access is entered in the Ian Williams' Owners Novices' Chase on Friday and the Tripleprint Novices' Chase on Saturday, and his fellow unbeaten stablemate has an engagement over hurdles on the second day only.
The Bajan Bandit is also a possible for the Red Square Reloaded Novices' Hurdle over Haydock's French-style hurdles on Saturday in case Lungo decides the ground might be a little too lively for him at Prestbury Park.
Lungo has noted Direct Access may come up against Paul Nicholls' Garruth or the same trainer's chasing debutante Mister Banjo.
But he observed: "If Mister Banjo takes him on it will be hard for a horse running over fences for the first time at a place like Cheltenham. It is the same with Garruth - he will find Plumpton is a little bit different to Cheltenham.
FIRST WINNER: Former jockey Geoff Harker rejoined the training ranks a month ago and sent out his first winner since when Idalgo De Guye also gave the gelding's owner Lord Bolton's son Ben Orde-Powlett (20) his first success under Rules in the George Graham Memorial Chase (Showcase Handicap) at Ayr yesterday.
Idalgo De Guye ran well behind the smart Direct Access at Carlisle 11 days ago and he improved on that effort to win in convincing fashion, jumping well throughout and drawing six lengths clear of Flat Top after taking up the running at the second last fence.
