RACING: Prins Willem and Penzance, two hurdlers of immense promise who could go on to better things, grace the card at Huntingdon today.
Funnily enough, both go in the Mothers Day Gift Vouchers Novices' Hurdle - although connections will no doubt have been relieved to find that they race in different divisions of the extended two-mile contest.
The James Fanshawe-trained Prins Willem is first up as he bids to put himself to the forefront of what is turning out to be a formidable, if select, band of timber performers for the powerful Newmarket handler.
Fanshawe banked his share of big-race prize money on the Flat last year and judging by the efforts of Pole Star and Reveillez, could be set for a successful time over the jumps, too.
Prins Willem's campaign on the level tailed off into disappointment after a promising beginning, but jumping seems to have rekindled his interest judged on his debut success at Huntingdon in November.
He was pitched in against a useful yardstick in the ill-fated Salsalino and readily dismissed him, coming home two and a half lengths clear without being troubled, and he seemed to enjoy himself in the process - a remark which could also be applied to his stablemates.
Fanshawe, who bagged Group One prizes with the brilliant Soviet Song and Frizzante in 2004, knows the time of day when it comes to the winter game, as the Champion Hurdle victories of Royal Gait and Hors La Loi III show.
Prins Willem should not let the side down.
Penzance, meanwhile, is held in high regard by Alan King who, by his own admission, has backed him ante-post for the Triumph Hurdle.
It is easy to see why after the way he dismissed the well-touted Amarula Ridge by eight lengths at Taunton earlier this month.
Ironically trained by Fanshawe on the Flat and a half-brother to Soviet Song, there was loads to like about the way he went about things, in particular his recovery from a bad blunder at the final flight.
The bang-in-form Brendan Powell has made no secret of his liking for Big Rob and this up-and-coming chaser can reward his handler's faith with another victory in the Letheby & Christopher Novices' Chase.
Big Rob's sights are inevitably being raised as he progresses up the ratings, but punters should hang on to his coat tails because there is every reason to suppose we have yet to see the best of the six-year-old.
Moscow Flyer will face eight rivals when he bids to add to his remarkable career tally of 16 victories over fences at Punchestown on Sunday.
Unbeaten when putting in a clear round over the larger obstacles, the Jessica Harrington-trained 11-year-old will take in the Byrne Group plc Tied Cottage Chase en route to another crack at the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The gelding won both races in 2003, but lost his two-mile championship crown when he unseated Barry Geraghty last year, leaving Azertyuiop to storm to victory.
This weekend's opposition is headed by Arthur Moore's Native Upmanship, who finished fourth to Moscow Flyer last time they met in the Champion Chase at Punchestown in April.
The 12-year-old was beaten last time out by Central House, who could reoppose, with other interesting potential rivals including Hi Cloy and Glenelly Gale. Fiery Ring, John James, Say Again and Steel Band complete the entries for the two-mile Grade Three contest.
David Flood's Desert Lord is the sole European contender among the 13 declarations for the Al Shindagha Sprint, feature race of the second Dubai Carnival meeting at Nad Al Sheba tomorrow. The mount of Mick Kinane, he faces a very tough task in a high-class field which boasts two South African Group One winners.
They are Mike De Kock's champion Key Of Destiny, who will be ridden by Weichong Marwing, and Satish Seemar's UAE debutant Al Nitak.
