Moon can rise to National Challenge

Dripsey Moon goes into the bet365 Durham National Handicap Chase in fine form and is fancied to take a step up in trip in his stride at Sedgefield on Sunday.

The seven-year-old arrived at Donald McCain's yard possibly in need of a confidence boost after being set some daunting tests by John McConnell, including running in the Albert Bartlett as a 200-1 shot.

Immediately switched to chasing, he had a couple of close seconds at Uttoxeter and Newton Abbot before showing plenty of spirit to pick up a Perth double.

Late September's runner-up effort behind Autumn Return at the Scottish track was another courageous display, with Dripsey Moon battling back on the run-in after the winner seized the upper hand by pinging the final fence.

If Brian Hughes can get his mount into a steady rhythm, this progressive type will be a tough nut to crack in the closing stages.

Stablemate Kabuki hails from a decent family and can prove a cut above the rest in the bet365 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle.

After a cosy success over the reopposing Aire Spray in a Newcastle bumper, he was highly tried in a hot Newbury contest first time out over timber.

Returning to action this term, Kabuki travelled well for a long way when fourth at Warwick earlier this month and should strip fitter for that blow-out.

Olly Murphy is always a force in bumpers and Karton Plein appeals on his British debut in the bet365 Open National Hunt Flat Race.

He stayed on well when second to Sign Again in what looked a fair point-to-point event in Ireland and will benefit from having Sean Bowen on board here.

James Owen is doing well with the Gredley Family jumpers and Usuario Amigo looks another nice recruit to the National Hunt game ahead of the Join Racing TV Today Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.

The Oasis Dream gelding showed plenty of promise in a trio of near-misses at Newmarket on the level, getting close to Kikkuli on debut and then twice being a neck runner-up.

He finally got off the mark as an odds-on favourite at Brighton last month and that confidence booster should have set him up nicely for this change of discipline.

Casa No Mento never stopped improving in novice company last season and is taken to pick up where she left off in the Trustatrader Approved And Reviewed Trades People Hurdle.

She followed up a convincing victory at Chepstow in April by galloping on gamely to land a competitive Listed-class Punchestown contest.

With the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard in such good early form, it seems worth taking her fitness on trust.

Regarde hit the ground running with a Huntingdon double around this time last year and can get off to a flying start again this term in the Trustatrader Fully Vetted Trades People Handicap Chase.

Jamie Snowden's charge is prone to the odd mistake but has a really likeable attitude and ground conditions should be in his favour.

SELECTIONS

KEMPTON: 14.40 Usuario Amigo, 15.15 Lime Drop, 15.50 Tribal Glory, 16.25 Holly, 17.00 Casa No Mento, 17.35 Regarde, 18.10 Far Sight.

LEOPARDSTOWN: 14.50 Finsceal Luas, 15.25 Norwalk Havoc, 16.00 Monasterboice, 16.35 Lafayette, 17.10 Red Trail, 17.45 Autumn Winter, 18.20 Summer Snow.

LIMERICK: 14.30 Miss Dishy, 15.05 Sporting Glory, 15.40 Billy Lee Swagger, 16.15 Emily In Paris, 16.50 Yeah Man, 17.25 The Dasher Conway, 18.00 Farren Glory.

SEDGEFIELD: 15.00 Faha Belle, 15.35 Continuance, 16.10 Kabuki, 16.45 My Gift To You, 17.20 DRIPSEY MOON (NAP), 17.55 Jaramillo, 18.30 Karton Plein.