DRAGONFRUIT can follow up a return-to-action win at Uttoxeter to lift the Vickers.Bet Handicap Chase (1.35) at Sedgefield this afternoon.
Having his first start for 193 days, the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero trainee went off at 6-1 against seven rivals for a three-mile handicap chase in the Potteries.
Black Sam Bellamy’s son hadn’t seen the inside of a winner’s enclosure for nearly two years but got back in business with a five-and-a-half-length call from Justshortofabubble.
The runner-up gave the form a shot in the arm by going one better at Bangor 15 days later and a 6lb rise in the weights still leaves Dragonfruit 2lb shy of his previous winning mark.
Greenall and Guerriero have their string in decent form and Dragonfruit can add to the pair’s tally with a fourth success over fences.
At Chelmsford City, RED FLYER looks good in the Betsi Handicap (7.00).
The Karen Jewell-saddled son of Free Eagle has yet to hit the target in seven attempts in 2023, but his turn may not be far away.
Red Flyer came up against a determined rival when finishing a length and a half behind Sonnerie Power at Kempton Park last time out and a 3lb rise in the weights may not stop him from going one better.
Thursday's selections
NEWBURY
12.05 BRENTFORD HOPE
12.40 JOKER DE MAI
1.15 THEATRE MAN
1.50 SEEYOUINMYDREAMS
2.25 EQUINUS
3.00 NORTHERN BOUND
3.35 PILLAR ROCK
4.10 HISTRIONIC
LUDLOW
12.15 RAMO
12.50 RIGHT NOW
1.25 TIGHTENOURBELTS
2.00 FLORENCETHEMACHINE
2.35 FAMOSO
3.10 THE DOYEN CHIEF
3.45 ECEPARTI
4.20 CARVED IN STONE
SEDGEFIELD
12.25 BALRANALD
1.00 LANGTON WOLD
1.35 DRAGONFRUIT (NAP)
2.10 COOLMOYNE
2.45 SUPREMELY WEST
3.20 SPECIAL RATE
3.55 SOLWAY MOLLY
CHELMSFORD CITY
5.00 FROST AT DAWN
5.30 KING STREET
6.00 ZACHARY
6.30 LADY BOUQUET
7.00 RED FLYER (NB)
7.30 BASE NOTE
8.00 NEMORUM
8.30 CRIMSON SAND
DOUBLE: DRAGONFRUIT and RED FLYER