Lion to roar in National Spirit

Nemean Lion can confirm Windsor form with Salver in the Star Sports National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on Sunday.

The pair clashed at last month's Winter Millions Weekend with the Kerry Lee-trained Nemean Lion just too quick for Salver in winning by half a length, with the also reopposing Blueking d'Oroux a further four lengths back in third.

Nemean Lion's win followed a previous success in a Hereford handicap when he gave upwards of 26lb all round but simply outclassed his three rivals in winning by a cosy 5.5-lengths.

That win on good to soft going showed that perhaps he does not need really deep ground to shine now and moving up to this intermediate trip of 3800m has also brought about another level of improvement.

He has to concede 3lb to Salver this time but Nemean Lion still had a little to give at Windsor and can dish out another beating.

Batwomen just lost out when upped in distance last time but compensation awaits in the Barry Dennis Trophy Handicap Hurdle.

A winner over 3800m at Fontwell earlier in the campaign, she then went to Plumpton in December where she finished second before tackling 4200m for the first time at Ludlow.

She stayed on all the way to the line to be beaten under a length in third, with neither an extra 100m here or an additional 1lb expected to provide any issues.

Champagne Chic defied odds of 16-1 to score at Wincanton and is one for the shortlist in the Star Sports We Believe In Bookmaking EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.

Sent off at 100-1 on debut for Jeremy Scott, he was not disgraced in coming home a 9-length sixth, with the experience clearly having the desired effect as he was a comfortable 2-length victor at the second time of asking.

He showed a really likeable attitude that day and while he cost just E1,000 as a three-year-old, his dam was a multiple winner and placed up to Grade Two level, with some of the family ability clearly transferring.

Lagonda has struck up a good rapport with 3lb claimer Shane Quinlan and another good performance is anticipated in the Star Sports Veterans' Handicap Chase at Hereford.

The pair have teamed up 12 times previously, with two wins, a smattering of places and only one disappointing effort on their joint record.

Venetia Williams' charge was most recently seen winning at Bangor at the beginning of the month in a mares' chase, employing her favoured front-running tactics to win by 0.75-lengths.

A 5lb rise is not ideal but she is still a shade below her highest ever mark as she races off 114 here.

SELECTIONS:

FONTWELL: Race 1 - 16.00 Champagne Chic, Race 2 - 16.30 Leading Swoop, Race 3 - 17.00 NEMEAN LION (NAP), Race 4 - 17.30 Batwomen, Race 5 - 18.00 Bobalot, Race 6 - 18.30 Record High, Race 7 - 19.00 Cinquenta.

HEREFORD: Race 1 - 16.10 Seahouses, Race 2 - 16.40 Gris Majeur, Race 3 - 17.10 Le Soleil Reve, Race 4 - 17.40 Lagonda, Race 5 - 18.10 Picture Of You, Race 6 - 18.40 Shillanavogy, Race 7 - 19.10 Hay Macleod.

NAAS: Race 1 - 15.50 Walk On The Beach, Race 2 - 16.20 Good To Be Alive, Race 3 - 16.50 Jacob's Ladder, Race 4 - 17.20 Kimy, Race 5 - 17.50 Will The Wise, Race 6 - 18.20 Spinningayarn, Race 7 - 18.50 No Flies On Him, Race 8 - 19.20 Blood Destiny.