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Aqua Bleu can continue purple patch at Lingfield

Written by Press Association | Dec 21, 2025 7:06:26 AM

Warren Greatrex is enjoying a real resurgence this season and Aqua Bleu can add to his tally in the Free Tips Daily On attheraces.com EBF Junior "National Hunt" Hurdle at Lingfield on Sunday.

Greatrex is already close to surpassing last year's tally of winners and if he continues to knock them in at his current strike-rate, he will be setting his best figures yet.

It seems a while since the Grade One days of Cole Harden and La Bague Au Roi, but the victory of Bill Baxter at the Punchestown Festival appears to have sparked a revival.

Aqua Bleu's owners, Jim and Claire Bryce, have invested heavily in the stable and are now beginning to see the results.

Second to one of Nicky Henderson's on his Hereford debut, he absolutely bolted up next time at Doncaster with a previous winner back in third.

He has a penalty but of those to have run he is the clear form pick.

It has been a tricky first half of the season for Jonjo and A J O'Neill, who had to briefly shut the yard down due to a virus.

They have had a few winners since reopening, however, and Oh Clare looks to have sound claims of giving them another in the BetWright Bet The Wright Way Mares' Maiden Hurdle.

By Walk In The Park, she showed up well on her debut when fourth in a Carlisle bumper but something obviously went wrong next as, sent off favourite, she was beaten 127 lengths this time last year and did not return until November.

Again at Carlisle, she showed up well for a long way against a useful sort in Real Quartz, beaten 3 lengths on her first effort over hurdles and she should step forward from that.

Olly Murphy's Doctor Ken has been very lightly raced for a horse who turns 10 in a couple of weeks.

There is ability there, though, and with a recent run under his belt he looks the one to beat in the BetWright Safer Gambling Handicap Chase.

Kilbakanto was too keen for his own good at Haydock last time out but hinted at ability.

He may be one of the lesser lights at Dan Skelton's yard but one of his great strengths is finding races for horses of all ability to win.

Kilbakanto runs in the Sky Bet Build A Bet Maiden Hurdle at Fakenham in a first-time hood in an effort to calm him down and with Harry Atkins taking 7lb off, he has found a golden opportunity. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

FAKENHAM: Race 1 - 14.15 Yanka Blue, Race 2 - 14.45 Merely A Detail, Race 3 - 15.15 I Am The Moon, Race 4 - 15.45 Kilbakanto, Race 5 - 16.15 No But I Will, Race 6 - 16.45 Fern Hill, Race 7 - 17.15 Pooroldmackley.

LINGFIELD: Race 1 - 14.30 Wilde's Legacy, Race 2 - 15.00 AQUA BLEU (NAP), Race 3 - 15.30 Oh Clare, Race 4 - 16.00 Icaque de L'Isle, Race 5 - 16.30 Diplomatic Ash, Race 6 - 17.00 Doctor Ken, Race 7 - 17.30 Low Expectations.