King Alfonso and Ontopoftheworld clash in bid for four-timer

Plenty of horses make hay while the sun shines in the summer and at Worcester two such horses clash in the Taylor Hart & British Gypsum Handicap Chase (1.55).

Peter Bowen's Ontopoftheworld is seeking a four-timer after wins at Stratford, Perth and Newton Abbot, but he is not alone in his bid for a fabulous fourth victory on the trot, as the Dai Burchell-trained King Alfonso aims for the same goal.

Bowen said of his nine-year-old, who carries a 7lb penalty for his most recent win: "He’s come out fine after his last race. He’s been very straightforward and he’s easy to train, and there were no problems as such to sort out when he joined me.

"He seems to idle a bit at the end of his races so it’s difficult to tell how much improvement he has left."

Burchell, who has seen King Alfonso rack up wins at Market Rasen, Bangor and Worcester, said: "We’re hoping it will be four in a row. It’s a competitive race, if we can be in the first four we will have done okay.

"He’s struck up a nice partnership with Richard Patrick, his 3lb claim is looking very handy. He’s fit and well and is a nice horse.”

Elliott hoping for a lovely time at Bangor

Not suffice with picking up pots left, right and centre in Ireland, Gordon Elliott has made a habit of sending plenty of runners to win in Britain.

The County Meath trainer has developed an extraordinary record this season with his summer jumpers, winning 32 races from just 62 runners at a whopping 52 per cent strike-rate.

With cards at Exeter and Thurles cancelled, Bangor has supplied an additional meeting and Elliott sends seven horses to the Welsh track, with a runner in every race.

For good measure, the trainer is also sending two runners to the Flat meeting at Ayr as he bids to bolster his – by comparison – paltry total of just six winners on the level in Britain this year.

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