CORRIGEEN ROCK can improve on an already impressive course record by beating four rivals for the “Ubique” Handicap Chase (1.50) at Sandown on Thursday.
Lucinda Russell’s son of Westerner has two seconds and a win to show from three visits to Esher.
The victory came on the first day of the Tingle Creek Chase fixture at the start of December, when Corrigeen Rock surged up the hill to humble Heartbreak Kid by seven lengths.
My selection came up short in the follow-up bid on the Tolworth Hurdle undercard at the beginning of January, coming home a nine-length second to Xcitations.
Corrigeen Rock has since undergone breathing surgery and, with the handicapper having chipped in with a 1lb drop in the weights, Derek Fox’s mount should put his course knowledge to good use.
At Chelmsford City, JUPITER EXPRESS is expected to give Oisín Murphy a comeback triumph in the Winning Connections Networking Handicap (6.00).
Successful at Wolverhampton in January on his third attempt for Mick Appleby, Kodiac’s son didn’t match that form at Dunstall Park a week later.
But Jupiter Express returned to the Black Country for a one-length second to Kensington Agent two days on and should be primed to go one better on the back of a 29-day break.
THURSDAY'S SELECTIONS
NEWCASTLE
1.00 HOWINGMADMURDOCK
1.35 RICHMOND LAKE
2.10 CHASE A FORTUNE
2.45 LAKE TAKAPUNA
3.20 LONE STAR
3.55 TWOSHOTSOFTEQUILA
4.30 IVETWIGGEDIT
SANDOWN
1.15 JILAIJONE
1.50 CORRIGEEN ROCK (NAP)
2.25 YOU WEAR IT WELL
3.00 BROKEN HALO
3.35 IMMORTAL
4.10 POPPA POUTINE
4.45 TWIN POWER
LEICESTER
1.25 VOICE OF CALM
2.00 HOMETOWN HERO
2.35 LINE OF DESCENT
3.10 CLOUDY WEDNESDAY
3.45 FLANN
4.20 HOMME D’UN SOIR
CHELMSFORD CITY
5.30 BENEFICIARY
6.00 JUPITER EXPRESS (NB)
6.30 GORAK
7.00 CLOSENESS
7.30 BIRD FOR LIFE
8.00 ENGRAVE
8.30 SICARIO
DOUBLE: CORRIGEEN ROCK and JUPITER EXPRESS
