Sunday Tips
Tiqris can get his promising career back on track at Wincanton, says Nick Robson.
Last Updated: 22/03/14 5:02pm
Tiqris can get his promising career back on track with victory in the 32Red Free £10 Bonus Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton on Sunday.
Trained by Philip Hobbs and owned by Roger Brookhouse, who both enjoyed success at the Cheltenham Festival, Tiqris was brought down at the second-last when travelling like the winner last time out at Newbury.
Previously he was beaten by Vibrato Valtat at Exeter in a Listed contest but there was no disgrace in that, as the winner has subsequently gone on to finish third in the Imperial Cup.
Tiqris had previously won a decent little event at Wetherby and pushed Josses Hill and Wilde Blue Yonder relatively close in successive races at Newbury.
With that pair having since run blinders in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Tiqris looks exceptionally well treated off a mark of just 129.
James Best has been enlisted by Hobbs to do the steering and there are few better 3lb conditionals about.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Vicente is likely to give him most to do, but it be a huge surprise to Hobbs and his Minehead team if Tiqris does not develop into an animal capable of defying this lowly rating.
Harry Fry's Vauban Du Seuil is an interesting contender in the first division of the Finishing Post @ White Post Rimpton Novices' Hurdle.
Fry has rapidly reached the stage in his career where whatever he runs is worth the closest scrutiny.
The Dorset handler has been operating at a staggering strike-rate throughout the season and while he has suffered several disappointments this month, most notably Rock On Ruby in the Arkle, this French import is no doubt better than we have seen in this county to date.
Pulled up on his debut at Taunton, he was nevertheless sent off favourite, suggesting Fry thought he has a decent type on his hands.
Given plenty of time to get over that introduction to British racing, this French bumper winner may even improve for the better ground.
The Nicholls-trained Southfield Vic looks the one to beat in the 32Red.com Novices' Hurdle.
Winner of an Exeter bumper last season, he was beaten at Chepstow in October but then fared creditably behind Red Sherlock in a Listed event at Cheltenham in November.
His only run since then came in a jumpers' bumper at Kempton and this home-bred chestnut could make up into a nice type.
Mick Appleby's Dewala may be of interest now sent handicapping at Market Rasen.
No mug on the level, she has finished third on all three of her outings over timber to date.
Her run at Wetherby when just over six lengths behind Run Ructions Run in November reads well in the context of the 32Red.com Mares' Handicap Hurdle.
She has not overly impressed in three previous runs on the all-weather, but there is a suspicion Appleby may have been waiting for this better ground.
CURRAGH: 2.10 Dancing Zafeen, 2.40 The Islander, 3.10 Sun On The Run, 3.40 Odeliz, 4.10 Calorie, 4.40 Defining Year, 5.10 An Fear Ciuin.
DOWNPATRICK: 2.25 Good As Gold, 2.55 Un Beau Matin, 3.25 Mighty Whitey, 3.55 Kylecrue, 4.25 Jim Bowie, 4.55 Phar And Away, 5.25 Vestige.
MARKET RASEN: 2.00 King's Opus, 2.30 Jack Albert, 3.00 Solway Dornal, 3.30 Dewala, 4.00 Dancing Dude, 4.30 River Purple, 5.00 The Grey Taylor.
WINCANTON: 2.15 Vauban Du Seuil, 2.45 Verano, 3.15 Looks Like Slim, 3.45 Jayandbee, 4.15 TIQRIS (NAP), 4.45 Time To Think, 5.15 Southfield Vic.
DOUBLE: Tiqris and Vauban Du Seuil.