English Racing Preview: Hersov could be another Saturday special for Nicky Henderson in today's John Smith's Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.
The Seven Barrows handler has had a terrific run in feature handicaps this season and looks to have a live chance of landing another £100,000 race.
Henderson's charge has the form in the book and should appreciate the extra test of stamina in the four-and-a-quarter-mile contest. Hersov has not been seen since finishing eighth at Sandown early last month, but had previously looked to be on the upgrade and had been impressive on his previous two starts.
The eight-year-old began with victory over Personal Assurance at Sandown in December and ran a close fourth to well-fancied Martell Cognac Grand National hope Bear On Board at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. He was beaten only four and a half lengths and proved he gets the trip after being stepped up to more than four miles for the first time. Hersov has been dropped 3lb down the ratings and looks to be weighted to win today.
Nicky Richards by-passed this week's Coral Cup at Cheltenham with Paperprophet and the move can pay dividends in the Cantor Odds Handicap Hurdle at Ascot. The gelding has yet to finish out of the frame in six starts and scored his best success to date last time out when beating Claymore at Haydock.
The six-year-old had 14 useful sorts behind him that day and can take today's race as he continues on his upward curve.
Frankie Dettori has his first mounts of the year at Lingfield today as he prepares for the Flat season proper, which gets under way on Thursday. The Italian takes the ride on Rosencrans for Godolphin in the Listed ladbrokes.com Spring Cup. The three-year-old was an impressive winner on his latest start in Dubai and looks to be on the upgrade.
The feature event at the all-weather venue is the Littlewoods Bet Direct Winter Derby, in which Blue Sky Thinking appeals at a big price. Darren Williams's mount got off the mark for the season with a course and distance win in January. He then finished three lengths behind Grand Passion in the Winter Derby Trial, but did not get the clearest of runs and stayed on towards the line.
n Moscow Flyer was yesterday reported to be none the worse for his untimely exit from the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday. The 10-year-old was attempting to take the two-mile showpiece for the second successive year when he unseated Barry Geraghty at the fourth-last fence.
"He's grand, no problem," said trainer Jessica Harrington yesterday. "Hopefully we'll see him out soon. There are races for him at Aintree, Fairyhouse and Punchestown to choose from and we might see him in one or two of those." Harrington runs Hume Castle in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter this afternoon.
