BONTTAY (12.55, nap) found only the impressive Queens Gamble too good in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham and is unlikely to face anything of that ability on his first appearance over obstacles in Monday's Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Lingfield.
The Fergal O’Brien-trained five-year-old, won all thee of his bumpers, including twice at Cheltenham.
The son of Westerner ran well on his return in a listed mares’ race, again at Prestbury Park, when making good late headway but was unable to catch Oliver Sherwood’s Queens Gamble.
That rival is now as short as 7-1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March, so my selection should take all the beating.
At Wolverhampton, CHOLA EMPIRE (7.20) is fancied to make a winning debut on Tapeta and take the Spreadex Sports Get 50 In Bonuses Handicap.
The three-year-old, trained by David Simcock, won at Chelmsford on his track debut last year and was a decent second of nine in a handicap back on the Essex track last time out in October.
There, he kept on well over the seven-furlong trip to finish one and three-quarter lengths behind G’Daay, who went on to win again on the course last month.
MONDAY'S SELECTIONS
LINGFIELD
12.25 ZONISTY
12.55 BONTTAY (NAP)
1.25 ALBERT VAN ORNUM
1.55 FLAT WHITE
2.25 ACHILLE
2.55 GIVE ME A CUDDLE
3.25 WAIKIKI WAVES
MUSSELBURGH
12.10 MADE FOR YOU
12.40 LEGENDARY DAY
1.10 GAIUS
1.40 MASKED CRUSADER
2.10 AL ZARAQAAN
2.40 COOLBANE BOY
3.10 GET WITH IT
WOLVERHAMPTON
4.20 GRIGGY
4.50 LEVEL UP
5.20 BURENA
5.50 ELETTARIA
6.20 SHABS
6.50 BLUEBELLS BOY
7.20 CHOLA EMPIRE (NB)
7.50 HAKU
8.20 MAFIA POWER
NEWSBOY'S DOUBLE: BONTTAY and CHOLA EMPIRE
