Invincible makes Hereford appeal

Invincible Nao is backed to maintain Gary Moore's fine run of form by landing the Read Harry Cobden's Blog At PlanetSportBet Handicap Chase at Hereford on Thursday.

The six-year-old did not exactly set the world alight after switching to West Sussex on the back of an easy victory at Auteuil, with a hefty price tag of E155,000.

However, there were some more encouraging signs during the second half of last season, with a placed effort at Huntingdon followed up by a decent staying-on fourth at Kempton.

Invincible Nao was nibbled at in the betting prior to his chasing debut in mid-November but looked in need of that outing, making some headway from the rear before not being knocked about late on.

There was a lot to like about his next effort at Lingfield later that month, though, when competitive throughout and finishing a close third behind Passing Well and Heva Rose.

That winner has since run well enough in a higher grade at Newbury and the second went one better in a valuable mares' event at this venue next time out, so the form appears rock-solid.

Goblet Of Fire is given another chance to show he has a decent future over jumps in the Best Odds Guaranteed At PlanetSportBet Juvenile Maiden Hurdle.

The son of Saxon Warrior won three of his last four Flat races for Nigel Tinkler before joining Nicky Henderson and was a well-backed second favourite for his National Hunt debut at Sandown.

Having set the pace with market leader Castelfort, Goblet Of Fire faded out to finish fourth behind that victor after fluffing the second last, but that was on heavy ground and he is worth sticking with for now.

Melusine De Pail sets a solid standard in the first division of the Download The PlanetSportBet App Mares' Maiden Hurdle after placed efforts at Ludlow and Lingfield but Lightening Mahler could be a fly in the ointment.

She impressed when quickening clear to land an Irish point-to-point last April and the next three home that day all went on to win between the flags afterwards.

Lightening Mahler looked a good buy at £72,000 when subsequently put through the sales ring and is in good hands with Dan Skelton.

Stratford bumper winner Betty's Tiara faced tough tasks under a penalty in hot contests at Aintree and Cheltenham, but Ben Pauling's charge could find the company far more conducive again in the second division.

Pink Lily was a decisive all-weather scorer at Lingfield last month and returns to that track seeking a third course-and-distance success in the Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM Fillies' Handicap on just a 2 point higher mark.

See That Storm showed a good attitude to get up close home on his racecourse bow and Andrew Balding's newcomers usually come on for a run, so he can follow up in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Restricted Novice Stakes.

There is a bumper nine-race card at Newcastle, where Karl Burke's well-related Bystander will be all the rage to complete a quick double in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Novice Stakes after bolting up a week ago.

For those seeking a bit more value, Enderman ran well enough at Southwell last month after a 107-day break to suggest he could be worth keeping on side.

Paul Midgley's six-year-old has only won twice from 36 outings and is 0-13 on an artificial surface, but he has been placed five times at all-weather tracks.

Some of his best efforts have come at Gosforth Park and a mark of 58 looks manageable ahead of the first division of the BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap over 1200m. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

HEREFORD: 14.58 Libor Lad, 15.28 Goblet Of Fire, 15.58 Lightening Mahler, 16.28 Betty's Tiara, 16.58 INVINCIBLE NAO (NAP), 17.28 A Dublin Job, 17.58 Samatian.

LINGFIELD: 13.45 Red Walls, 14.15 Jacquelina, 14.45 Morning Suit, 15.15 Desert Raider, 15.45 King Of Scotia, 16.15 Pink Lily, 16.45 See That Storm, 17.15 Mr Trick, 17.48 Louisiana Bay.

NEWCASTLE: 17.37 Spirit Of Ash, 18.10 Big Dream, 18.40 Top Gun Tina, 19.10 August, 19.40 Bystander, 20.10 Lady In Havana, 20.40 True Nation, 21.10 Enderman, 21.40 Ignac Lamar.