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Fortune favours the brave at Hereford

Written by Press Association | Oct 23, 2023 6:12:00 PM

The National Hunt season is beginning to click into gear and there could be a glimpse of a top prospect at Hereford when Favour And Fortune makes his hurdling bow in the Vickers.Bet EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.

Alan King's five-year-old made a big impression in bumpers last season, easily winning his first start at Southwell before handing a beating to a useful cast of rivals at Warwick on his second start.

That earnt the gelding a shot at the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and although he was unable to make his mark at Prestbury Park, he remains full of promise.

Montregard is tipped to give weight and a beating to his rivals in the Go Racing With Vickers.Bet Racing Club Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Having shaped with promise when third on his Doncaster debut, Tom Lacey's four-year-old carried the colours of JP McManus to a narrow victory on his second start at Warwick.

The runner-up from the latter race, Democritus, has won since, whereas Montregard has enjoyed a break.

An opening mark of 105 for his handicap debut could underestimate his ability.

Snipe is the pick in the Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow Best Mate Chase Handicap Chase at Exeter.

A winner and placed twice from six attempts over hurdles, Dan Skelton's inmate already looks like being a better horse over fences judged on his successful chasing bow at Southwell three weeks ago.

The six-year-old met the bang-in-form Swapped at Southwell and accounted for him fairly readily in the end, suggesting a 3kg rise is not beyond him.

Turning attentions to the Flat, Charlie Appleby's Age Of Time looks well placed to double his tally in the Win 2,000,000 With BetMGM's Golden Goals Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton.

Sixth behind a useful sort in Mafnood on his Haydock introduction, the Dubawi colt showed the benefit of that initial experience when winning a shade cosily over this course and distance next time.

Conceding 3.5kg is no easy task, but Age Of Time looks capable of doing so.

John and Thady Gosden can enhance their fine record in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Yarmouth.

They claimed both divisions of the one-mile opener 12 months ago, while they have also won the race in 2021 with subsequent Listed winner Shaara and in 2018 with the high-class Mehdaayih.

This year they rely upon Juneberry, a Godolphin-bred daughter of Night Of Thunder who is closely related to Zetland Stakes scorer and the Group One-placed Goldspur.

It was a Godolphin-owned Gosden-trained filly who won one of the divisions of this last year and Juneberry comes with the pedigree to suggest a smart performance is on the cards.

David Evans could be on the scoresheet with the consistent Charlie Mason in the Download The Bresbet App Nursery Handicap.

The youngster won his penultimate start at Kempton and was not beaten far off a 1.5kg higher mark at Nottingham last time.

He competes off the same mark here and is sure to be thereabouts once again. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Tuesday. Here are the tips.

EXETER: Race 1: 15.00 Sassified, Race 2: 15.30 Neigh Botha, Race 3: 16.00 Snipe, Race 4: 16.30 King Of The Lake, Race 5: 17.00 Brave Starlight, Race 6: 17.30 Midnight Midge, Race 7: 18.05 Caustic.

HEREFORD: Race 1: 15.10 FAVOUR AND FORTUNE (NAP), Race 2: 15.40 Great Valley, Race 3: 16.10 Young Wolf, Race 4: 16.40 Montregard, Race 5: 17.10 Barely Famous, Race 6: 17.40 East End Girl, Race 7: 18.15 Diamond Dice.

YARMOUTH: Race 1: 15.23 Juneberry, Race 2: 15.53 Imperial Express, Race 3: 16.23 Fen Tiger, Race 4: 16.53 Kamanika, Race 5: 17.20 Charlie Mason, Race 6: 17.53 Kitbag, Race 7: 18.25 Fast Flo.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 17.25 Tyke, Race 2: 18.00 Dashing Darcey, Race 3: 18.30 Cheese The One, Race 4: 19.00 Stoney Lane, Race 5: 19.30 Age Of Time, Race 6: 10.00 A Pint Of Bear, Race 7: 20.30 South Parade, Race 8: 21.00 Close Of Play, Race 9: 21.30 Distinguished Lady.

ALL TO COME: Favour And Fortune (Hereford, Race 1) and Snipe (Exeter, Race 3).