Court is tipped to get first triumph (From Evesham Journal)

Court is tipped to get first triumph

9:00pm Saturday 19th January 2013 in Sport

MORETON-in-Marsh trainer Martin Keighley is confident Champion Court can get off the mark this season.

Following fourth in Kempton’s King George VI Chase, the eight-year-old heads to Haydock on Saturday.

He comes back from three miles to two miles and five furlongs and is nine pounds better off than his rivals.

Keighley said: “It’s hopefully a good opportunity for him to get a win on the board and a confidence-booster before Cheltenham.”

The Ryanair Chase is his likely target at March’s Cheltenham Festival.

Four-year-old Johnny Og (11-4 second-favourite) won for Keighley at Catterick.

• Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon is considering festival options for Pendra after his second place in Grade One company.

The five-year-old was fourand- a-half lengths behind Melodic Rendezvous at Sandown.

Longsdon enjoyed a triumph at Warwick but it was not the expected victor.

Favourite Pete The Feat (7- 2) finished third in the Betfred Classic Chase to end his five-race winning run.

But eight-year-old Ely Brown (12-1) claimed the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle.

• Temple Guiting trainer Jonjo O’Neill won with Cloudy Copper (5-2 joint-favourite) at Kempton and Cabaret Girl (22-1) at Huntingdon.

He also struck with Dream Again Boys (9-2) at Ffos Las.