Bank on Brandon

Tom Scudamore rides BalGarry to victory at Taunton yesterday BRANDON CASTLE narrowly missed out at Wolverhampton last month but he can gain compensation in the coral.co.uk Handicap back at Dunstall Park.

The three-year-old has done trainer Andrew Balding proud in the latter half of this year, turning in a string of consistent placed efforts as well as winning once. The first part of the campaign yielded some fine runs but his landmark moment came when finally getting his head in front at Ffos Las in September.

His four-length triumph prompted a 10lb hike in the weights but he has proved more than capable off that revised perch, claiming second a further three times as well as a fourth place.

The handicapper has continued to augment his mark but his short head defeat when dropped back to a mile and a half at this track showed he can still make his presence felt.

That narrow margin

of defeat indicates he is not finished with yet.

Victor Dartnall does not have that many Flat runners but Mary Le Bow can continue to fly the flag for the yard in the Bet In Play At Coral Handicap.

She finished stone last on her return from nearly a year off at Bath in October but showed the benefit of that when winning at Wolverhampton last month.

She was a bit short of room when finishing third back at the venue earlier this month and remains on a competitive mark.

Tim Radford’s company Timico was confirmed as the new sponsor for the Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier in the week and the owner’s Knock House can duly prove an apt winner of the Ryman Stationery Handicap Chase at Prestbury Park.

The six-year-old has not seen much racing for a horse of his age and he appears to be a runner who still has plenty of improvement in the locker.