Prince Imperial to reign over Plumpton rivals

Prince Imperial starts life handicapping off a low mark and can win for Richard Hughes in the Placesetting Equipment Hire Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton.

Second on his debut, he was then third behind the useful Hansard and Master Chewy, two nice types.

He won on the Flat off a mark of 93 in October so he really should be making hay off this sort of rating of 112.

By Frankel, his dam, Proportional, was a Group One winner as a two-year-old.

Chris Gordon has his string in rare form and Diamond Egg can add to his tally in the Strong Flavours Catering Maiden Hurdle.

Having shown a decent level of ability in his first two bumpers, the five-year-old opened his account in easy fashion at Huntingdon in May.

Given he has been off since then there may possibly have been a problem, but he looks a decent prospect for a yard firing on all cylinders.

Stablemate Lord Baddesley faces a much easier task than last time out at Kempton when he runs in the Tie The Knot Wedding Catering Novices' Handicap Chase.

He took on Nicky Henderson's Balco Coastal on Boxing Day, a horse who went on to push Gerri Colombe close in the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown recently.

Lord Baddesley was only beaten 12 lengths and has been dropped 2lb ahead of his latest assignment.

The quick ground at Catterick will be in the favour of Donald McCain's Fruit N Nut, who is looking to follow up a recent win at Sedgefield in the Download The Vickers.Bet App Handicap Hurdle.

Possibly a little out of his depth at Kempton over Christmas, the handicapper subsequently dropped him 5lb, which was enough to see him get the better of a decent stick in Ashington in County Durham.

Fruit N Nut is back up 4lb for his follow-up bid, but possibly won with a bit up his sleeve a fortnight ago and can go in again.

Charlie Appleby's Mountain Song pushed a much better-fancied stablemate to a nose on her debut and should go one better in the talkSPORT Powered By Fans Fillies' Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton.

The Sea The Stars filly looked to have done enough to score at the first time of asking, only for the boy wonder Billy Loughnane to get up on odds-on favourite Sapphire Seas in the final strides.

The pair were four lengths clear of the remainder and she sets a good standard.

Mick Appleby's War In Heaven has won his last three races over Wolverhampton's extended nine furlongs and can make it four in the Top Odds Every Day With BetUK Handicap, despite an 8lb rise.

After an inauspicious start since leaving Andrew Balding he has found a rich vein of form. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

CATTERICK: 15.45 Creative Control, 16.15 Beauty To Behold, 16.45 Royle Steel, 17.15 Fruit N Nut, 17.45 One More Fleurie, 18.15 Tedtwo.

PLUMPTON: 15.30 Shot Boii, 16.00 Dom Of Mary, 16.30 Diamond Egg, 17.00 Lord Baddesley, 17.30 PRINCE IMPERIAL (NAP), 18.00 Teasing Georgia.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 19.00 Janaat, 19.30 Fair And Square, 20.00 No Such Luck, 20.30 Mountain Song, 21.00 War In Heaven, 21.30 Buxted Too, 22.00 Give A Little Back, 22.30 Berkshire Phantom.