Pipe double can get the money flowing

Trainer David Pipe can make a successful raid on Market Rasen by securing a double courtesy of My Brother Sylvest and Basil Fawlty.

The former is firstly taken to do the business in the Victor Lucas Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase (2.15). Pipe’s six-year-old was pretty useful over hurdles – to which a hat-trick of wins last October would testify. He also shaped encouraging on his chasing bow at Kempton last month when customary front-running tactics resulted in third place behind the useful Sire De Grugy.

My Brother Sylvest was admittedly worried out of it late on, but he seemed in need of a more demanding test of stamina. That might explain Pipe’s decision to step him up in trip by three-quarters of a mile. This does not look anywhere near as exacting as that race at Kempton as might his trailblazing tendencies, as front-runners invariably do very well at Market Rasen.

Suitably inspired, Pipe can win the concluding Royal British Legion “Hands And Heels” Handicap Hurdle with Basil Fawlty (3.50).

The Malcolm Denmark-owned seven-year-old did not show a great deal for former trainer Warren Greatrex in four starts over hurdles and in bumpers, but was a big eyecatcher on his debut for Pipe at Exeter last month. Tom Scudamore’s mount made solid progress to take fourth behind the unbeaten Mr Mole, but should be a lot fitter here as that was his first start since last November. Basil Fawlty looks exceedingly unexposed over hurdles and could be considerably well in at the weights off an inaugural mark of 106.

Lady Karinga has had a rather nomadic career, but looks to be coming to hand for her engagement at Ffos Las in the Oyster Pools And Jacuzzi Raglan Handicap Chase over three miles (3.40). The seven-year-old mare had already changed hands four times before being sent to Pembrokeshire handler Lucy Jones, for whom she made a pretty decent debut at Hereford at the beginning of the month, jumping pretty well in a mares’ handicap chase over an extended two miles and five furlongs to finish a clear second.

Jones’ new recruit is not the quickest, but she stays well, when in the right frame of mind, and should enjoy this return to three miles.