Dovecote form could be worth following - plus a Philip Hobbs dark horse for Cheltenham

It could pay to follow Dovecote form

Tripoli Flyer completed a hat-trick when winning the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday and it could pay to follow the form of the Grade 2 contest.

The winner was positioned towards the rear early in a race run at a strong pace and his jumping took a while to warm up, but after getting to the lead two out he powered clear on the run-in for a seven-and-a-half-length success.

He appears to have a big engine and with improvement in his jumping the Fergal O'Brien-trained six-year-old could develop into a Grade 1 performer.

Tripoli Flyer (left) runs away from Miami Magic after the final flight in the Dovecote Novices' HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Miami Magic was sent off the favourite for Saturday’s race in receipt of 3lb from the winner and ran respectably in second under Charlie Hammond.

He lacked the finishing kick of Tripoli Flyer, and a mistake at the last did him no favours, but he kept to his task well and should benefit from stepping up to two and a half miles.

Celtic Dino finished third for Sam Thomas and is another who looks in need of further. The Dai Walters-owned six-year-old strikes as the type who could land a competitive handicap at one of the spring festivals.
Joe Eccles

Saint could be Cheltenham dark horse

Philip Hobbs is no stranger to success at the Cheltenham Festival and, alongside Johnson White, he looks to have a dark horse for one of the handicaps in Saint Anapolino.

Off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles at Exeter in January, he made an instant impact in handicaps when winning a 2m½f event at Taunton three weeks ago, shaping as though a step up in trip would suit.

Saint Anapolino: has two entries at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

The six-year-old showed just that when landing the opening 2m5f handicap hurdle at Kempton on Saturday, travelling superbly well throughout before pulling away to score by three and a half lengths with a fair bit in hand.

He should be capable of climbing higher still and must be considered if taking up his engagement in the Coral Cup or the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at the festival.
Harry Wilson

Champion throws down early Flat marker

It is still over a month until the Lincoln meeting at Doncaster sees the Flat season kick into gear, but Royal Champion threw down a good early marker for the year with victory in the Winter Derby at Southwell on Saturday.

The 1m3f Group 3 contest is a strong race for the grade, with 2022 winner Alenquer and 2023 hero Lord North going on to score in Group 1 company later in the season, and connections of Royal Champion are probably hoping he can follow suit after an impressive success.

Royal Champion: could head to Hong Kong in April after Winter Derby successCredit: Edward Whitaker

A Listed winner at Lingfield on his stable debut for Karl Burke on New Year's Eve, the seven-year-old travelled powerfully into the lead under Clifford Lee before quickening well to score with plenty in hand from Military Academy.

Royal Champion landed the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2023 before placing in the Group 2 York Stakes and at the top-level in the Canadian International at Woodbine later that year, and he ought to make his presence felt in Group company back on turf.
Harry Wilson

David Power Jockeys' Cup standings (ITV races)

Harry Skelton 290 points
Harry Cobden 266
Sam Twiston-Davies 230
Nico de Boinville 214
Sean Bowen 176

British jump jockeys' championship

Sean Bowen 143 wins
Harry Skelton 124
Sam Twiston-Davies 91
Harry Cobden 84
Gavin Sheehan 77

British jumps trainers' championship

Dan Skelton £2,357,165
Paul Nicholls £1,766,909
Nicky Henderson £1,466,583
Nigel Twiston-Davies £1,204,413
Venetia Williams £1,140,622

Irish jump jockeys' championship

Paul Townend 92 wins
Sam Ewing 60
Keith Donoghue 58
Darragh O'Keeffe 52
Danny Mullins 41

Irish jumps trainers' championship

Willie Mullins €3,908,450
Gordon Elliott €3,222,195
Gavin Cromwell €1,761,225
Henry de Bromhead €1,257,565
Joseph O'Brien €915,125

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