HAVING finished second on all three of his outings this season, Ryalux (2.30) surely deserves to get his head in front at Doncaster today.
It's been a heartbreaking sequence for Andy Crook's gutsy chaser, who never fails to give anything less than 110 per cent but still keeps on finding one too good.
On his latest start at Wetherby Ryalux had to play second fiddle to the seriously useful ten-year-old Banker Count. The ground was perhaps a shade too soft for Ryalux that day, which made his run all the more creditable.
Today's quicker surface, combined with the fact that he has a furlong less to travel, could finally bring a change of luck for Ryalux and his supporters from this year's Racing North National Hunt ten-to-follow list.
Steve Brookshaw's losing run, which stretched back to June, ended when Cassia Heights (3.00) collected at Ludlow last week.
The win came in a fast time and it would appear that the seven-year-old son of Montelimar is relatively unexposed at three miles, so there could be more improvement to come in the Sandall Beat Novices' Handicap Chase.
Group winning stayer Arctic Owl (3.30) makes his timber debut in the Cusworth Novices' Hurdle.
The James Fanshawe-trained Newmarket raider last ran in the 2000 Melbourne Cup, where he finished fifth. A reproduction of that sort of form would make his jumps' bow a mere formality en route to a planned crack at the Champion Hurdle in March.
Trainer Noel Chance must be on cloud nine after the fantastic comeback of his reigning Gold Cup holder Looks Like Trouble in the John Bull Chase at Wincanton.
Although Chance is swimming in much shallower waters with Newgate Wells (2.10) at Folkestone, he'll still be hoping his charge finishes first.
Newgate Wells has been threatening to get on the scoresheet of late and there was plenty to like about his most recent fourth at Newcastle behind three hot novices headed by The Phair Crier.
Rookie handler Sheena West is having some fun with the Mark Johnston cast-off Glenwhargen (3.40).
Glenwhargen picked up a seller at Towcester prior to a couple of placed efforts at Fakenham and Warwick. Ideally Glenwhargen needs 2 miles, so we'll have to hope the ground is sufficiently demanding for the slightly shorter Six Mile Bottom Handicap Hurdle.
After a couple of disappointing efforts Olivia Rose (2.20) could be back in full bloom at Wolverhampton.
To be fair to the filly, Olivia Rose has had perfectly valid reasons for the brace of flops. She was tried back at six furlongs at Southwell - nowhere near far enough - then got a face full of sand when getting behind a wall of horses in a competitive event at Lingfield.
Olivia Rose now tries an extended mile for the first time, and there should be a lack of hustle and bustle in such a small field.
At anticipated odds of around 3-1 or even a shade better, Olivia Rose will do nicely for the nap selection in the Bet Direct Handicap at the Midlands course.
* Supreme Glory was yesterday cut to 16-1 favouritism from 20-1 by Corals for the Martell Grand National following continued support for the Pat Murphy-trained gelding.
The nine-year-old won the Coral Eurobet Welsh National at Chepstow in December to earn his prominent position in the betting for the Aintree marathon on April 6, which has attracted a modern-day record of 144 entries.
''Everything is going according to plan,'' Murphy said.
''From 12 months ago I've been training Supreme Glory for Aintree this year. The plan always had been that we would skip the Welsh National last season because I thought it came a year too soon for him."
This year's number of entries compares with 133 in 2001 and beats the previous best of 141 that dates back to 1984.
The last two winners of the great race, Red Marauder and Papillon, are entered once again.
But Ted Walsh, Papillon's trainer, has not put his 2000 Irish Grand National victor Commanche Court in the £500,000 contest. Other notable absentees include Cyfor Malta, Foxchapel King and Take Control.
The 2001 runner-up Smarty, and third-placed Blowing Wind could all do battle again. Beau, travelling well when unseating his rider last year, adds further interest.
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