English racing: Iris's Gift makes his eagerly-anticipated return to action at Lingfield but it is Murphy's Cardinal who can grab the spotlight by landing the Grade One totesport Chase today when armchair TV punters can sit back and enjoy 13 races on Channel 4 and BBC 2.
Noel Chance gives his promising nine-year-old another crack at the highest level following a comprehensive beating in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown last time.
Murphy's Cardinal was going well for much of the way in the three-mile Leopardstown event but faded out of it quickly after being headed at the third-last fence.
Jockey Tom Doyle reported that he didn't stay, so the drop back to two and a half miles here could be just what he needs. Murphy's Cardinal won a Grade Three event over the shorter trip in this country on his seasonal bow and Chance has not ruled out the possibility that it may be his optimum distance.
Voy Por Ustedes can make good use of his age allowance in the Axminster Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. Alan King's four-year-old will get at least 5lb from each of his six rivals and he looks to have solid claims despite his relative inexperience.
The French-bred gelding joined King last month and made an immediate impact when easily accounting for Prins Willem in a novice event at Huntingdon. A winning hurdler in his native country, Voy Por Ustedes defied a double penalty to brush aside his older rival in impressive style.
King has given him a tricky assignment here but with the ground likely to be on the quick side for favourite Inglis Drever, Voy Por Ustedes looks a decent proposition.
Too Forward can come of age at Haydock with a win in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup. Mark Pitman pitches his nine-year-old in at the deep end on his first start outside novice company, but he looks well in given that he is due to go up 7lb after the weekend. Too Forward has had his problems in the past but he has been progressing at a rate of knots since returning from a 583-day absence at Huntingdon in November.
He has since gone on to win a minor event at Folkestone and looked a decent horse in the making when second to the very useful Tribal Venture at Kempton last time. Too Forward has a tough task on his hands against more experienced runners, but he does look to be a cut above his current handicap mark.
Akilak can complete his Festival preparations with a win in the Victor Ludorum Juvenile Novices' Hurdle. Howard Johnson's four-year-old made a very impressive debut at Cheltenham last month, absolutely sluicing home by six lengths in what looked to be a competitive Grade Two event. Akilak can only improve for that experience and he should oblige here, albeit at short odds.
Flat jockey Jamie Spencer is convinced that Back In Front will put up "a big show" in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle. Spencer, who recently gave up his high-profile job as retained rider at Ballydoyle, has put Back In Front through his paces at Edward O'Grady's stables at Thurles. "I have been doing some schooling and some work for Mr O'Grady. I had an arrangement towards the end of last year that I could come and ride a bit of work," Spencer said yesterday. "I rode Back In Front to win at Navan on the Flat last October and he's coming along nicely.
"I rode him a week ago today in a piece of work. He's good enough and well enough to go and have a big show in the Champion Hurdle. He's got Ruby (Walsh) on board at Cheltenham now as well. Nothing against Davy Russell, but Ruby is the champion at the moment. Hopefully he can do the business." Back In Front, winner of the Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham on his latest start in December, is 9 to 2 second favourite for the Champion Hurdle.
