SERIOUS looks a good bet to follow up a recent Uttoxeter success in the Peregrine Handicap Hurdle at Ascot today. Successful in two of his three starts over timber, Kim Bailey's charge was well backed last time when leading two out and keeping on well to deny Tejano Gold by two lengths.
The seven-year-old son of Shadeed, bought out of Lady Herries' yard for 37,000
guineas at the Newmarket Autumn Sales, was having his first start since December at the Staffordshire course and probably just needed it.
Open to further improvement, Serious is napped to land the opener.
Bailey can complete a quick double in the following Kyle Stewart Handicap with the well-handicapped Bertone.
The eight-year-old ran a cracker at Aintree last week when third, beaten under five lengths, behind Unguided Missile over three miles and one furlong, after holding every chance three out.
Bertone can gain compensation over today's extended 19 furlongs at the main expense of course specialist Storm Alert.
Jimmy FitzGerald's stable stalwart Trainglot makes the Letheby and Christopher Long Distance Hurdle his swansong.
The winner of almost £200,000 in prize money Trainglot, at the age of 10, has retained his form remarkably well despite his career being interrupted by injury.
Successful in the 1990 Cesarewitch, the Marquesa de Moratalla's chestnut has enjoyed a profitable last 15 months over hurdles, winning four out of his seven starts including the Tote Handicap Hurdle, Coral Cup and in November the West Yorkshire Hurdle.
Since that latest triumph FitzGerald's stayer has been campaigned at the highest level, finishing third to What A Question at Newbury, second to Ocean Hawk in the Long Walk Hurdle and a below-par seventh behind Karshi in the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Well suited by a good test of stamina and fast ground, Trainglot can follow the example of stable-companion Uncle Ernie, who won the Grand Annual Chase on his final outing, and bow out with a victory in this Grade Two event.
John Dunlop's Zaima can confirm the promise shown on her reappearance with victory in the Wellesbourne Handicap at Warwick.
Over seven furlongs at Leicester the Arundel three-year-old made headway from two furlongs out and kept on well inside the last without troubling the two principals to finish third, beaten two and three-quarter lengths behind Plaisir d'Amour.
With the extra furlong of today's race likely to be in her favour, Zaima can open her account for the season.
Hal's Pal is worth an interest in the Penny Joyce 21st Birthday Handicap at Wolverhampton's evening meeting.
David Loder's four-year-old ran well on a number of occasions last term, including when a one-and-a-quarter length second of 25 to Amrak Ajeeb in a £30,000 handicap at Ascot in September.
Successful on Wolverhampton's fibresand earlier in 1996. Hal's Pal has been gelded during the winter and should be up to landing this Class C event.
. Michael Kinane will be involved in classic trial action in Rome tomorrow when he rides the Group Two winning Golden Aventura in an Italian 2,000 Guineas trial, the Premio Daumier. Apart from the mite Listed prize, Kinane also rides Golden Gardens for the same connections in the opening Premio Torre Astura.
