BRITISH RACING/Preview: Despite his advancing years Apple John has recently shown himself as good as ever and he merits an interest at Fontwell Park today.
Dr Philip Pritchard's tough 13-year-old ran at Taunton on January 29th and, relishing the testing underfoot conditions, the son of Sula Bula set out to make all the running.
He was headed four out but rallied gamely for his jockey Polly Gundry and keeping on well went down by half a length to Rovestar.
Apple John has not won since March 1999, when he beat the useful hunter chaser Ardstown by a head, but he has been highly tried on occasions since and this low-grade affair looks well within his grasp.
Clearly in good heart Apple John is made the nap selection.
Beyond Control is an interesting runner in the eliteracingclub.co.uk Novices' Chase.
The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old won a 13-runner maiden point-to-point on his debut a year ago and was made favourite for his first start under Rules at Wincanton last month but disaster struck early as he came to grief at the first fence.
He appeared to be brought down by his own momentum that day and is sure to have been well schooled since, so it could pay to give this highly-regarded individual another chance.
Tommy Trooper can initiate a double for Nicholls with victory in th opening EBF/realityracing.com Novices' Hurdle.
After the seven-year-old gelding had shown useful form in bumpers he was sold for 76,000gns at the 2000 Doncaster May sales but has not raced since.
There may have been problems but his shrewd trainer has given the son of Infantry plenty of time.
Nicholls is a past master at producing a horse to win first time out and Tommy Trooper could represent some value. ...
At Musselburgh, Indian Venture appeals as the best bet on the card in the two-mile McEwans 70/- Handicap Hurdle.
Nicky Richards' gelding scored at Carlisle in October and Kelso the following month and last time over today's course and distance he ran a cracker to finish a short-head second of 10 to Court Of Appeal.
A repetition of that level of form would be good enough for Indian Venture to regain the winning thread.
The Greystoke trainer can complete a double with the well-bred newcomer Muscadin in the McEwan's 60/- Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race.
On the fibresand at Wolverhampton Arogant Prince can complete a three-timer at the Dunstall Park track in the Bet Direct Daily Special Offers Handicap.
Ian Semple's progressive performer won there last month and followed up just last Friday when he scored by a length and three-quarters from Sulu.
Premier Ambitions looks a good bet to take the Littlewoods Bet Direct Classified Stakes.
Officials at Newbury are keeping their fingers crossed that there is not much rain at the Berkshire track before their big meeting on Saturday.
The ground is currently soft and in "nice condition" but rain or showers are being forecast for the next few days.
"We're only just soft that's the nice thing about it, but there is more rain on the way," said clerk of the course Richard Osgood yesterday.
"It's not just the rain they are forecasting for today and tomorrow. It's that it is going to be followed by showers for the middle of the week, but we may be lucky," he added.
The meeting features one of the big betting races of the winter, the £110,000 Tote Gold Trophy, as well as possible pointers to next month's Cheltenham Festival through the AON Chase and the Game Spirit Chase.
