Tony Mc Coy gave Piper's Rock a fantastic ride when the seven-year-old won at Plumpton last time and the combination can follow-up in the 49's South West Racing Club Novices' Handicap Chase at Taunton tomorrow.
The Emma Lavelle-trained gelding made all to beat The Cockertoo by a length to provide his trainer with her first winner.
The champion jockey stoked his mount up for the majority of the final circuit, whilst his main danger sat patiently behind him. His efforts paid dividends as Piper's Rock found more.
Piper's Rock jumped soundly that day, giving the impression there was better to come, and he is made the nap selection to continue his progress today. The consistent Tony's Mist can enjoy a welcome change of luck in the South West Racing Club Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle.
Milton Bradley's gelding has finished second four times in five starts this term but he can take advantage of some apparently lenient handicapping - rated just 69 - to open his account for the season.
At Ludlow the best bet looks to be Route One in the EBF `National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Qualifier.
This promising individual from Simon Sherwood's yard made an encouraging reappearance when finishing second to Don Fayruz at Wincanton on his hurdling debut last month. Sure to improve for that effort, Route One is a confident selection to go one better tomorrow, albeit at rather cramped odds.
Mary Reveley sends Highbeath on a return journey to Ludlow for the Bank's No 9 Handicap Chase and the hint should be taken.
Already successful here and at Market Rasen this term, and placed on his other four starts, this fair chaser is clearly in good order and a third win of the campaign looks on the cards tomorrow.
For Valour looks the best bet on Lingfield's eight-race all-weather card in the Bryan Goulding Conditions Stakes.
Frankie Dettori yesterday began a week of publicity, public relations and television appearances, but refused to be drawn on the controversial ride he gave Swain in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.
Dettori, at a London club to launch a video - "Frankie Dettori Horsing Around" - blanked all inquiries as to whether he had ridden an ill-judged race on Swain, who veered under pressure from the whip towards the grandstand in the home straight to finish third.
"I'm here to promote the video," said the Italian. "I'm not going to talk about Swain. You'll get nothing from me."
Asked if newspaper criticism had upset him, Dettori only reiterated his decision to stay silent on the issue.
Peter Burrell, Dettori's manager, said: "Swain is history. Frankie wants to move on." Burrell added that Sheikh Mohammed had said he supported the jockey, whom he retains to ride.
No Retreat once again emphasised the value of searching New Zealand for fresh jumping talent as he made an impressive British debut at Newbury yesterday.
The five-year-old, who had won two chases at home before joining trainer Steve Brookshaw in the summer, put in a sound display in a novices' chase to pull away from favourite Ever Blessed after the last to score by six lengths.
