Palladium to show is worth on hurdles bow

All eyes will be on Palladium when he makes his jumping debut in the second division of the Pertemps Network Maiden Hurdle at Huntingdon on Thursday.

The four-year was previously trained on the Flat in Germany by Henk Grewe, winning at Group One level when taking the German Derby over 2400m last season.

He was subsequently sold for E1.4million to Lady Bamford and transferred to the Lambourn stable of Nicky Henderson, for whom he makes his hurdles debut over 3200m.

He is in expert hands and has an unusual profile as a Group One-winning colt running over hurdles, ability that should make him the horse to beat if he takes to the task.

On the same card, Henderson and Nico De Boinville can team up again with Shanagh Bob in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

The seven-year-old has made his last two starts over fences and troubled the judge on neither occasion, but his prior hurdling form is notable.

He won the Grade Two Albert Bartlett trial as a five-year-old and was then fourth in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree, the latter being his most recent run over the smaller obstacles.

He returns to the discipline at Huntingdon and sets a high bar if back at the level he was competing at over hurdles in the past.

At Wetherby, Chart Topper can make the journey from Ireland worthwhile in the Follow @racingtv On Instagram EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.

The six-year-old comes from the stable of Willie Mullins to be ridden by his son and assistant Patrick, a hint in itself as neither horse nor jockey will be undertaking the trip for nothing.

Chart Topper fared moderately well in a handful of bumper runs but made a serious impression when graduating to hurdles at Downpatrick in the summer.

A 25-length winner over 3600m, the bay left a field of 12 rivals in his wake with a facile success on his first attempt.

There may have been little movement since to suggest the form from the race is particularly strong, but the manner of the win was so convincing that he is nevertheless the pick in Yorkshire.

Jim Goldie's Humble Spark can score the third leg of a hat-trick in the Extra Winnings With BetUK Acca Club Handicap at Newcastle.

The five-year-old has won his last two outings, both of which were at Newcastle and the most recent of which was over the same trip he faces this time.

His mark has risen as a result of the latter success, but there appears to be more up his sleeve still. - Press Association

SELECTIONS

GOWRAN: 15.03 Belle The Tigress, 15.38 Tingarran Express, 16.13 Hiddenvalley Lake, 16.48 Yeah Man, 17.23 Quai De Bourbon, 17.58 Big Debates, 18.28 Reckless.

HUNTINGDON: 14.12 Nap Hand, 14.47 Palladium, 15.20 Flamelco, 15.55 Salley Gardens, 16.30 SHANAGH BOB (NAP), 17.05 Celtic Fortune, 17.40 Kosasiempre, 18.13 Diamonds Galore.

NEWCASTLE: 14.41 Humble Spark, 15.11 Lady Of The Garr, 15.46 Cloch Nua, 16.21 Sir Maxi, 16.56 Mondammej, 17.31 Rainbow Nebula, 18.06 Stroxx.

SOUTHWELL: 19.00 Blast The Dream, 19.30 Manara, 20.00 Ash Wednesday, 20.30 Valadero, 21.00 Hitched, 21.30 Dark Kestrel, 22.00 Kiss Me My Love, 22.30 Addosh.

WETHERBY: 14.25 Melon, 14.55 Chart Topper, 15.30 Eaton Collina, 16.05 Elle Est Beau, 16.40 Largy Force, 17.15 Boolamore Classic, 17.50 Paddy O'Mahler.