NICKY HENDERSON, experiencing something of a winner drought at present, can get off the mark for 1996 with Dear Do in the Bucktail Handicap Chase at Ascot today.
It is now over three weeks since a representative from Seven Barrows in Lambourn came into the winner's circle, but this progressive nine year old looks a sound bet to hand the trainer some relief.
He showed only a modest level of form as a novice hurdler and early indications were that he would not be significantly better over fences despite wins at Folkestone and Fontwell.
However, this season he has improved considerably and is now on the threshold of three straight wins. After claiming place money on his first three starts of the season, Dear Do won his first race of the campaign at Windsor in November.
Starting the 100 to 30 second favourite for a seven runner handicap chase, he was produced to lead by Mick Fitzgerald at the last of the 11 fences and came home three and a half lengths to the good of Pegmarine. He then shouldered 12st to a bloodless victory in a similar event at Southwell.
Never far away, he tugged his way to the front approaching the third fence from home and sauntered clear of his three remaining rivals while still on a tight rein.
His 12 length victory over Herbert Buchanan confirmed him in excellent form and it is more than likely that better is still to come. The step up in grade means that Dear Do has 10st 8lb to carry on this occasion and he should be able to complete his hat trick.
Top weight Northern Saddler, successful on his first two outings of the season before finishing a creditable third to James The First at Newton Abbot last time out, should give the selection most to do.
In contrast to Henderson, David Nicholson has been in fine form during the New Year. And Nicholson can extend his run with Certainly Strong in the PML Lightning Novices' Chase, a Grade Two event with £25,000 in added prize money.
The six year old mare, a useful hurdler, showed plenty of promise on her fencing debut when second to Inchcailloch - who reopposes at Kempton, and stepped up on that performance to win the Westminster Taxi Insurance Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown at the beginning of December.
Jumping soundly throughout the contest, she went on at the fifth and kept on in good style from the penultimate fence to beat Captain Khedive by seven lengths. She looks primed for the biggest success of her career to date.
Jackie Retter's Purbeck Cavalier looks a sporting wager in the 17 runner Silver Doctor Open Novices' Handicap Hurdle. He has a 6lb penalty for a six length victory at Exeter last time.
