Inside track on the Durham National as Mercers Court seeks four-timer

4.25 Sedgefield
Sedgefielders Racing App Durham National Handicap Chase | 3m5f | ATR

The sun has shone on Neil King's Wiltshire yard this summer and Mercers Court, one of the golden run's major contributors, aims to make it four on the spin in the north-east track's standout contest.

Wins at Worcester and Fontwell have led Mercers Court to Sunday's £30,000 prize, which has attracted a field of seven.

"He's been in great heart this summer, winning his last three," said King on Saturday.

"It's difficult for any horse to win four in a row, but I think the correct way to improve him is to step him up in trip and that's what we're doing. The fast ground will suit."

Watch a replay of Mercers Court's win at Fontwell this month

King has enjoyed a fine summer and is already closing in on his totals from the last two campaigns.

"They're in tremendous form," he said. "We had our 15th winner of the season yesterday and in the whole of last season we had 19, and 17 the season before, so we're doing good at the moment."

Peter Niven is hoping to deny King another winner with Brian Boranha, who perhaps has more potential than most of his rivals.

The trainer said: "I'm optimistic about his chances and if he gets the trip he'll run a big race.

"The ground will suit and it's the race I've had in mind for him for a long time, so fingers crossed."

Lambourn trainer Jamie Snowden is another in decent form and he makes a case for the consistent Fact Of The Matter, who will be partnered by promising conditional Page Fuller.

"He's gone up 5lb for finishing second over fences at Cartmel and he ran well back over hurdles last time at Warwick," Snowden said.

"He'll need a career-best to defy this mark, but Page is riding well and takes 3lb off. It's a competitive open race, but the ground and track should play to his strengths."

You can bet on the Durham National via our card

Topweight Henri Parry Morgan has become inconsistent, to the frustration of trainer Peter Bowen, but he has some strong form on his CV.

Asked how the ten-year-old might go, Bowen, who won the Durham National with Buachaill Alainn two years ago, replied: "I don't know - he was a bit disappointing when he ran at Chepstow last week.

"It wasn't long ago he was running well and on his best form he's quite capable of winning this. We've got to get him back to his best form, but it's down to him really; there was nothing wrong with him the other day when he ran."

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