Five Horses To Follow This Weekend - 19/02/2019

The exciting Glen Rocco will continue his fine progression up the ladder, with a chance in the Grade Three 888Sport Handicap Chase this weekend at Kempton.

His first season as a chaser began in the worst possible way, when unseating at Chepstow, but did go onto win on his next start on the figure of eight track at Fontwell.

The 8yo's smartest piece of form came from Boxing Day, when he finished behind Mick Channon's Glen Forsa - who romped home at Sandown when dismissing Arkle fancy Kalashnikov, thus promoting his own claims.

That was on Friday, the same day Carlos Du Fruitier - third in that contest from Christmas, who won the Royal Artillery Gold Cup.

The form looks immaculate, and partial owner of this horse Jeremy Kyle, believes they may have a National prospect in the future.

First task first to come through another race at the Sunbury venue, but he holds leading claims.

Bags Groove had looked mightily impressive for Harry Fry, before being simply outclassed in the Kauto Star Novices Chase at Kempton over Christmas.

He was raced somewhat tactically differently under Noel Fehily on Boxing Day, but fifth best currently in the three-mile novice division does make for pleasant reading for the connections.

Prior to then, he had risen up the ranks smartly, including an effortless display from the front in a Grade Two at Wincanton back in November.

Had a short break since, and now drops back in trip for the Pendil Novices Chase - once again from the Sunbury venue.

Leading contender if managing to get to the front early on.

A horse that many may recall from the flat scene in his day's for Tom Dascombe, Red Force One has since made the move to Paul Nicholls National Hunt yard in Ditcheat.

His first start for the ten-times Champion Trainer was in a Class Four Handicap on the All-weather at Kempton two weeks ago, when being denied by a nose.

However, Nicholls purchased the 4yo with a view to now jumping obstacles and has clearly identified the talent to do so there. With the Somerset Trainer in the flying form that he is currently in, you would not question his judgement.

Quel Destin was one of the eight winners across the cards in the UK on Saturday just gone, and with Red Force One heading for a Graded Juvenile, Nicholls could have another Triumph hopeful at next month's Festival.

Bar an upset, Wissahickon should coast home comfortably for John Gosden under Frankie Dettori in the Betway Winter Derby, off the evidence of his simple success in the trial last time out.

A really likeable type who has found his optimum over ten furlongs; he has only been beaten twice in nine attempts - one of which he had real excuses.

Unbeaten in his last four though - including an outstanding victory at odds of 11/1 in last season's Cambridgeshire Handicap, this 4yo colt just continues to roll on and looks a name to remember with the new flat season dawning in a couple of months time.

Cracking turn of foot, and looks very hard to beat.

Also hitting our screens this Saturday is the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase from Newcastle; a gruelling test for those lucky to possess large engines and the ability to stay a marathon, and Charlie Mann's Morney Wing certainly comes into that category.

A real mud-lover, he mastered the heavy conditions last time at Sandown in the London National, and was staying on all the time up the hill in Esher, indicating four furlongs extra may not even stop him.

Ran with great consistency this term, also recording a win and a second at Fontwell, with his creditable third on quick ground at Warwick splitting those.

Wants tough going, wants a marathon, and will more than likely get it here.