NICKY RICHARDS is hoping to get among the winners at Musselburgh's St Andrew's Day fixture with his raiding party spearheaded by Houston Dynimo in the Weatherbys Printing Handicap Chase.
The Greystoke trainer said: "He's won round there on the Flat and he's a grand little horse – he's ran three solid races since we sent him chasing. I wouldn't say he's terribly well-handicapped but he's in such good nick we might as well run and he shouldn't be far away."
Benmadigan sets the ball rolling for Richards in the Border Safeguard Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle and he added: "I'm hoping it keeps drying out as he wants really good ground. He won nicely over 2m 4f last time and he stays this trip well."
Next up is Tutchec in the Weatherbys Printing Services Novices' Handicap Chase and the Cumbrian handler said: "He wasn't a bad second at Ayr last time but his jumping went to pieces in the latter stages. I'm hoping he will go close if things don't happen too fast for him."
Richards said Shivalric would need to improve in the McAllister Maiden Murdle as "he has been very dis-appointing" and expected a much better effort from Parc des Princes in the Bet With The Free Racing UK iPhone App Handicap Hurdle.
* Court In Motion made a pleasing return to action at Wincanton earlier this month and can build on that in the Fuller's London Pride Novices' Chase today at Newbury. The seven-year-old was a high-class hurdler in the 2010-11 season but missed all of the last campaign before being pitched in over fences on his return at the Somerset venue. Trainer Emma Lavelle obviously thinks he is up to at least Grade 2 company over fences as he started at that level, turning in a highly respectable effort in finishing third. A stumble early in the race and a blunder at the 11th fence were hardly ideal, but he stayed on admirably, only losing out on second in the dying strides. He gets a handy weight advantage on some more experienced rivals and while longer trips could see him in a better light later in the season, Court In Motion should still be sharp enough to do the business.
* Ed Dunlop's star mare Snow Fairy has had her victory in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville taken away after failing a test for a banned substance. Connections have explained it was due to anti-inflammatory treatment the five-year-old has been receiving.
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