Girl power: Dame Du Soir and Ile De Jersey bid to beat the boys in Silver Fox

Wednesday: 3.10 Leicester
Pertemps Network Leicestershire Silver Fox Handicap Chase | 2m4f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Nicky Henderson has saddled seven winners from just 18 runners at Leicester in the last five seasons and bids to improve that 39 per cent strike-rate with recent Southwell winner Ile De Jersey.

The four-year-old filly is unlucky not to be unbeaten in two starts over fences as she would have made a successful chase debut at Taunton last month but for overjumping and falling at the last.

Ile De Jersey is generally an accurate jumper and she proved that when bouncing back at Southwell last time, when a good leap at the last helped seal victory. She is just 4lb higher here, but this is a considerably stronger race than that mares' event.

She isn't the only female moving out of mares' company to take on the boys, as Dame Du Soir won well against her own sex at Cheltenham this month. That ended a long losing run for trainer David Bridgwater, and Dame Su Soir is still well treated after a 6lb rise in the weights, having run off 20lb higher in the past.

The final word goes to Tap Tap Boom, who has struck up a good partnership with conditional rider Jay Tidball. The pair have two wins and a third from five outings when teaming up and the victories have come on Tap Tap Boom's last two starts.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Alastair Ralph, trainer of Tap Tap Boom
He's in good form, he's won the last twice and he's loving life over fences. It's a good race for him, and hopefully he can be competitive and take what the handicapper's done in his stride. Hopefully there's another couple in him.

Alastair Ralph: strong claims with Tap Tap BoomCredit: Steve Davies

Richard Bandey, trainer of Corran Cross
He's fit and well, he's come out of an autumn break really well and this is his first run back so we'll see how he goes.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Our Jet
He ran a nice race at Southwell last month. He's stepped forward from that first run of the season and definitely has a chance.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of The Hollow Ginge
He's a legend of a horse, but he's been a bit disappointing recently so we'll give him another go. He's dropped to a good mark and if he could put it all together he's well handicapped.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Ile De Jersey
She's in good form, she jumped five fences on Tuesday morning and couldn't have been better. She won well last time and likes good ground, which you're always going to get over fences at Leicester.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Maninsane
I'm looking forward to seeing him run. He won nicely last time at Huntingdon. He seems well, he's been really good, and fingers crossed he can be alright here.

David Bridgwater, trainer of Dame Du Soir
She's in really good nick. She was well handicapped last time and hopefully she's still there, but she has gone up 6lb. We're taking on the boys this time, but she has to be in the first three, doesn't she? It'd be good if she runs well.
Reporting by Stuart Riley

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