Turf luck

PROVIDING trainer Len Lungo is happy with the horse this morning, Skippers Cleuch looks set to be the star turn at Wetherby tomorrow in the novices' chase (3.05) over just short of three miles. Now nine, Skippers Cleuch holds an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but seems more likely to take the novice route at the Festival unless the big- race field cuts up. Lungo was swithering on Friday but tomorrow's race should be well within his compass.

Another possible Wetherby runner with Cheltenham aspirations is I Cried For You which will either run in the 1.55 tomorrow or the 2.30 at Sedgefield on Tuesday. Victory would lead to a step up in class which could even take him to the Champion Hurdle itself, but whatever the future holds, he's more than up to winning either of these races.

Toulouse Lautrec looks banker material in Wetherby's 2.30 with Needwood Spirit primed to take the televised 12.45.

Saturday should see some good Festival trials at Cheltenham with the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase scheduled for Doncaster as well. Gingembre and Valley Henry go on trial for the Gold Cup in the Pillar Chase with the latter preferred. I suggested last week that this horse looked the value for the Gold Cup at 33/1 and 25/1 but while those prices were available eight days ago, two readers told me at Ayr on Tuesday that 20/1 was the best on offer by last Sunday.

Foxchapel King ran a blinder under top weight when this column's selection at Leopardstown last week, finishing a close second to You'llneverwalkalone. Mouse Morris intends sending his horse to Gowran Park on Thursday for the Thyestes Chase and losses could be recovered en route to the Grand National at Aintree where he will probably be close to top weight again.

Colourful Life also ran well to be second at 25/1 when this column's selection for last Sunday's PierseHurdle and after passing up a couple of opportunities yesterday, the Mary Reveley-trained horse must be kept on side wherever he pops up over the next two weeks.

Trainer Nicky Richards has his team in great form and after another winner with Glenmoss Tara at Musselburgh on Friday, he told me he intends sending Tuesday's Ayr winner, Lord Jack, for a valuable handicap at Sandown on Saturday week. Other Ayr runners to follow in the short term are Wildfield, Rufo, Sweet Milly and Mr Woodentop.

Another Richards-trained runner, River Ness, also looks primed for a win soon.

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