Spring Dream looks the proverbial blot on the handicap on her return to hurdling at Folkestone today. Alan King's mare has gone up in the region of 20lb on the Flat this year and need only transfer a fraction of that improvement to her jumping game to win this in style. Unfortunately, she is trading at a shade of odds-on. Better value bets on the card are Aimigayle and Alfred's Tower.
The front-running Aimigayle (1.40) was collared two from home by Katess on her chasing debut at Fontwell, but there was no disgrace in that defeat and she finished miles clear of the rest. She should be suited by this right-hand track.
Alfred's Tower (2.40) won on his first start for Paul Nicholls at Towcester and it will be a surprise if there is not further improvement in this lightly-raced six-year-old. He has not run since May, but that isn't a problem where the Nicholls horses are concerned and the champion trainer has had this race in mind for Alfred's Tower for some time.
Tim Vaughan has won with two of his three runners at Fakenham so far, and the trainer can hit the target again with Little Shilling (1.00) in today's selling handicap hurdle. Vaughan landed a similar race at the last meeting here with the well-backed North Walk, who was having his first run for the stable, and Little Shilling makes his debut for Vaughan today. The six-year-old is well treated here on the pick of his hurdles form.
12.10pm: Aimigayle non-runner
Unfortunately, Aimigayle has just been announced a non-runner at Folkestone. I would still be inclined to take on the one-paced Rustarix here but it is probably a race best watched now.
1.25pm In the money, thanks to Little Shilling (11-8)
Tim Vaughan's runner had the Fakenham seller won with a circuit to go.
2.20pm Spring Dream gets there in the end . . .
. . . but it was unexpectedly hard work for the 4-5 favourite after she cruised through most of the race. Robert Thornton had to drive her past 16-1 shot Figurita on the run-in to win by a length and a half.
4.30pm Alfred's Folly
An inexplicably poor effort from Alfred's Tower, who made mistakes, toiled in rear and finished tailed off.
Still, a small winning day for Talking Horses.
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