Belliano a progressive youngster for Top 40

Top 40 entry Belliano was backed as though defeat was out of the question at Market Rasen on Tuesday and Paul Nicholls' runner justified such confidence with a comfortable win in the EBF qualifier over two and a half miles. A winner at Ascot on his previous start, the Black Sam Bellamy gelding shouldered a penalty alongside main market rival I'm A Lumberjack and the pair dominated from an early stage. Ridden by Freddie Gingell, he sat on the tail of Alan King's runner for much of the contest before taking charge approaching the penultimate flight. An exhausted I'm A Lumberjack fell at the second last and Belliano only had to be pushed out to beat Silver Thorn by three and a quarter lengths. Rated 122 beforehand, connections have the option of aiming him at the final at Sandown (8th March) - the stable have won it three times in the last ten years with As De Mee (rated 130 in 2015), McFaboulous (132 in 2020) and Complete Unknown (126 in 2022). Alternatively, the six year old is entered in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, although it is debatable whether he is ready for such an assignment. The Listed novice hurdle over three miles at Perth (23rd April) is another possibility later in the spring. Either way, he is a lovely chasing prospect for next season.

La Zoubida (5/2) is featured in the Unraced Bumper Horses section of One Jump Ahead and was also highlighted for the bumper at Sedgefield on Boxing Day in the Christmas Special. Nicky Richards' mare had the misfortune to bump into a subsequent Listed winner at the County Durham track but she went one better in a similar event at Market Rasen. Partnered by Sean Quinlan, the daughter of Authorized travelled smoothly before showing a good turn of foot to quicken to the front. Pushed out to win by a length and a quarter, she beat a couple of well regarded debutants Shotgun Shirley and Baby Thyme and it is likely to be a race to follow.