Malaita tipped for treble joy at Uttoxeter

Malaita can bring up her hat-trick in the Clarke Chase at Uttoxeter on Sunday.

She has been the epitome of dependable for trainer Mel Rowley of late, having run once a month since October and only once finishing out of the first four, when coming to grief at Cheltenham in December with her challenge yet to be laid down.

That proved a rare blip and she has finished in the first two in four subsequent starts, most recently when righting the record at Prestbury Park with a ready 4.25-length success in a Grade Two mares' novices' handicap chase.

Raised 7lb for that success, Malaita clearly has a tougher task on her hands here against experienced rivals but she has shown good form on a variety of ground, which could be important with a slightly unsettled weather forecast.

Fourofakind is another who has looked pretty adaptable ahead of the quinnbet.com Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Harry Derham, the five-year-old won just one of his seven starts last term but did sign off with a fair second at Taunton in the final few days of the 2023/24 campaign.

His mark of 109 puts him 4lb above his last winning perch, but that effort last month when the tongue tie and blinkers were removed offers some hope.

The Look Who's 65 Elliot Henderson Handicap Hurdle is the Kelso highlight, with Well Educated taken to defy a 7lb penalty for his win at Hexham earlier in the week.

Winless since October 2022, Well Educated returned to victorious form with a 0.5-length success over Hartur d'Oudairies, reversing a previous 6.25-length defeat at the hands of that rival.

With his confidence now riding high, George Bewley's charge can kick on for a second successive win.

Midnight Gold is the choice in the Star Sports Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell after a decent return effort earlier in the month.

Off the track since last June, when she was a winner at Southwell, Midnight Gold had to settle for second place at Warwick, beaten 5-lengths by the race-fit Clararose.

She should improve for that spin and a 1lb rise may not prove too much of an anchor.

Classic action is the order of the day at the Curragh, with the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas taking centre stage.

Willie McCreery's Vespertilio has already hit the bar at this level, being beaten just 0.5-lengths in the French equivalent, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, at ParisLongchamp two weeks ago.

She had to chart a wide route from a high draw, racing off the pace but finishing with real purpose at the end of a mile, on what was her first start since last September.

The Night Of Thunder filly has a more favourable draw this time and can make amends for her narrow French eclipse.

The Tattersalls Gold Cup is the other Group One race and while Auguste Rodin would be a clear winner at his best, preference is for the more reliable White Birch.

He has won each of his two starts this term and might offer some value against a short-priced favourite who has thrown in more than one lacklustre run. - Press Association

SELECTIONS

CURRAGH: 14.25 January, 15.00 Shelaka, 15.35 Goldana, 16.10 White Birch, 16.45 Vespertilio, 17.15 Mundi, 17.50 Cathedral Peak, 18.25 Grappa Nonino.

FONTWELL: 15.39 Oval Street, 16.14 Mister Upton, 16.50 Midnight Gold, 17.25 William Ewart, 18.00 Celtic Fortune, 18.35 Baikal.

KELSO: 15.15 Geordies Dream, 15.50 Everyday Champagne, 16.25 Well Educated, 17.00 Mistral Nell, 17.35 Toucan Sam, 18.10 Bothwell Bridge, 18.45 Beau Della.

UTTOXETER: 14.50 Yesanna, 15.25 Lady Mendoza, 16.00 Fourofakind, 16.35 MALAITA (NAP), 17.10 Next Left, 17.45 Kado De Joie, 18.20 Ushuaia Dancer.