War poised for Newbury victory

Go To War looks to be crying out for a step up to 4800m and gets the chance to back up that view in the Ultimate Travel Company Handicap Hurdle at Newbury on Friday.

The seven-year-old prevailed in a bumper and two Ludlow novice hurdles when with Fergal O'Brien but has yet to add to his win tally in three starts for Nicky Henderson.

However, having picked up a slight knock over the festive period, there was a lot to like about his third-placed finish over 4000m here at the beginning of the month.

The son of Soldier Of Fortune was prominent for a long way that day but got tapped for toe when the pace quickened, only to rally and keep on well again in the closing stages.

Both his dam Rate Of Knots and half-brother Flight Deck are proven performers over this distance and Go To War can uphold family honour.

Amateur rider David Maxwell paid plenty of money for Queensbury Boy following a nice point-to-point win that has worked out well and he certainly looks to have a smart prospect on his hands.

Under Harry Derham, the six-year-old shone in bumpers last term, scoring at Chepstow and then chasing home Gordon Elliott's Wingmen at Punchestown.

Following 10 months on the sidelines, he was visually impressive in hacking up by 8.5-lengths at Doncaster on his jumping bow under rules and a crack at the competitive Watch Weekend Winner Powered By BetVictor Novices' Hurdle is well deserved.

Johnny Ringo was a consistent performer on the Flat and has transferred that to the National Hunt sphere with a trio of rock-solid efforts, all at Musselburgh.

Lucinda Russell's charge followed up a November second by quickening clear on the run-in to score on New Year's Day and was then third in the Scottish Triumph, so he sets a fair standard in the Ladbrokes Go North Grey Bomber Juvenile Hurdle Series Final just outside Edinburgh.

Vanilla Dancer has each-way appeal in the Racing Post Go North Lady Buttons Mares' Hurdle Series Final.

Chris Grant's six-year-old may just have paid the price for pushing too hard in chasing the trailblazing Jasmine d'Airy when fading into third here last month and lessons will hopefully have been learned.

Edgewell looked like he was going to cruise past Hostile Hotelier for much of their Catterick meeting earlier this month but did not find as much as expected and a last-flight blunder ended any remaining hopes of reeling that rival in.

However, the Rebecca Menzies-trained runner-up had previously impressed at Southwell and Fakenham and is taken to return to winning ways in the Ladbrokes Go North Brindisi Breeze Hurdle Series Final.

Ravenscraig Castle has often flattered to deceive during his races but there would be no better time to knuckle down and deliver than in the Racing Post Go North Sea Pigeon Hurdle Series Final.

Since returning from a wind operation, Iain Jardine's two-time Flat winner has twice caught the eye in defeat at this course, finishing second to Slugger before a fair fifth last time, when making smooth headway prior to finding little on the run-in.

His challenge needs to be timed just right, but this week's warm weather should help to provide suitable conditions.

Shesupincourt can follow up a recent Leicester success in the 3A's Horse Box Hire And Sales Mares' Handicap Chase at Ffos Las.

Ryan Potter's charge dominated her rivals by upwards of 14 lengths three and a half weeks ago and while an 8lb rise makes life tougher, Callum Pritchard's 5lb claim lessens the damage. - Press Association

SELECTIONS

DUNDALK: Race 1 - 18.45 Never Shout Never, Race 2 - 19.15 Winemaker, Race 3 - 19.45 No Such Thing, Race 4 - 20.15 Brigid's Cloak, Race 5 - 20.45 Prince Of Eyeries, Race 6 - 21.15 Harry The Rogue, Race 7 - 21.45 Trishuli River, Race 8 - 22.15 Doctor Grace.

FFOS LAS: Race 1 - 16.08 Arctic Angel, Race 2 - 16.40 Knight Of Allen, Race 3 - 17.10 Shesupincourt, Race 4 - 17.40 Lilting Verse, Race 5 - 18.15 Leech, Race 6 - 18.50 Starzand.

MUSSELBURGH: Race 1 - 16.20 Teofimo, Race 2 - 16.50 Summergrounds, Race 3 - 17.20 Johnny Ringo, Race 4 - 17.50 Vanilla Dancer, Race 5 - 18.25 Edgewell, Race 6 - 19.00 Ravenscraig Castle, Race 7 - 19.30 Centurion's Sister.

NEWBURY: Race 1 - 15.55 Queensbury Boy, Race 2 - 16.30 Leave Of Absence, Race 3 - 17.00 Aucunrisque, Race 4 - 17.30 GO TO WAR (NAP), Race 5 - 18.02 Sherborne, Race 6 - 18.37 Super Sabre Sam, Race 7 - 19.10 Itchy Feet.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1 - 18.55 Busby, Race 2 - 19.25 Oursin, Race 3 - 20.00 Beautiful Dawn, Race 4 - 20.30 Ring Of Gold, Race 5 - 21.00 Legal Reform, Race 6 - 21.30 King Of Ithaca, Race 7 - 22.00 Balgowan, Race 8 - 22.30 Popular Dream.