Affluence makes his long-awaited debut over jumps at Huntingdon

Trainer Martin Smith has his dual purpose team in great order and sends the previously frustrating Flat performer Affluence along the A14 for his first spin over jumps in the 2m maiden hurdle (2.30) at Huntingdon.

The four-year-old, who is one of three newcomers in the 13-strong field, took 21 attempts to get off the mark on the Flat but eventually broke his duck last time at Lingfield when winning a 1m2f handicap by an emphatic seven lengths.

Affluence had a spin over hurdles at home before that success and is ready to tackle jumps for the first time after Smith finally persuaded the owners to have a crack at a different code.

Smith has just three jumpers at his yard on Newmarket's Hamilton Road, winning with his latest runner, the now Aintree-bound Arch My Boy, at Fakenham on March 4.

Smith said: "Because Affluence had been running so well on the Flat it's taken me a little time to persuade the owners to run him over jumps, but he loves jumping and I first schooled him a while ago. Obviously, it's a step up in trip but if he gets it he should be bang there."

Tuesday's jockey Leighton Aspell has helped out with the schooling at home where Affluence has worked with Arch My Boy.

Smith said: "You can't get anyone better than Leighton in my book and while Affluence is not as good as Arch My Boy he's not far off him, and as we are taking the latter to Aintree that is a decent yardstick."

Top Ville back after Cheltenham spill

The first horse to run after appearing at the Cheltenham Festival goes to post at Wetherby, where Top Ville Ben is on duty in the 3m novice chase (2.40).

Philip Kirby's improving sort got only as far as the sixth in the RSA Chase last Wednesday but was caught after running loose for a circuit and has come out of that spill in good shape.

Before his Cotswolds mishap, Top Ville Ben had won over this course and distance over Christmas before finishing a respectable fifth in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot in February.

Kirby, who had also mistakenly entered Skipthescales, now has another festival in mind for Top Ville Ben.

He said: "The plan is to take Top Ville Ben to Aintree but I wanted to get another run into him beforehand as he didn't get very far at Cheltenham.

Top Ville Ben: the first horse to run after appearing at the Cheltenham Festival goes to post at WetherbyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He came back fit and sound from that outing and there's no reason not to have another crack with him. Fingers crossed he can put in a clear round this time, and we know he likes Wetherby."

Pobbles Bay bids to regain confidence

Pobbles Bay turns out again at Taunton just eight days after his latest spill, when he got no further than the ninth in a race won by Samuel Jackson.

Evan Williams' classy type features among five runners in the Kiff and Anne Collier Memorial Handicap Chase (4.30).

Before that spill, Pobbles Bay had put Leighton Aspell in hospital when crashing through the wing of the 18th in the Grand National Trial at Haydock.

Pobbles Bay: highly regarded but lacking in confidenceCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Williams said: "I don't know who's got less confidence, Pobbles Bay or his trainer! If he stands up I'll be amazed. It's all about getting him around in one piece.

"He's had a desperate couple of no-shows the last two times, but I've always thought very highly of the horse and some of his novice form over fences is fantastic. If he does get round it looks a winnable race."

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