Deep Intrigue looking to book place for All-Weather Finals Day

The Mark Johnston-trained Deep Intrigue looks to secure his place on All-Weather Finals Day at the second time of asking in the 6f fast-track qualifier conditions stakes at Newcastle (3.45) on Wednesday.

The three-year-old, to be ridden by Danny Tudhope, won on his all-weather debut at Chelmsford in December before coming up short in his first attempt to qualify for Good Friday's feature card at Kempton in January.

Sent off at 7-2, the son of Dark Angel finished a disappointing sixth, two and a half lengths behind winner No Nonsense, but went on to reverse form with several reopposing rivals 12 days later when winning at Lingfield.

Assistant trainer Charlie Johnston said: "Deep Intrigue is fit and well. He was kept on the go this winter purely with the final in mind and we're working towards that target.

"He won nicely at Lingfield last time, bouncing back from a slightly disappointing performance at Kempton the time before."

Johnston remains wary of Newcastle perhaps not being advantageous to Deep Intrigue, and added: "The six furlongs at Newcastle might not play to our strengths as much as other all-weather tracks.

"He has dominated from the front in his two wins this winter at Chelmsford and Lingfield, which is quite a bit easier to do at those tracks than at Newcastle.

"It can be quite tough to make all at Newcastle, but Danny rides the track very well and will not be tied down to any instructions."

The seven-runner field contains several interesting types, including
the Mick Channon-trained Listed winner Barbill and You Never Can Tell, trained by Richard Spencer.

O'Connor makes rare appearance at Ludlow

In what could be his final British appearance before partnering the well-fancied Ok Corral at the Cheltenham Festival next month, top Irish amateur Derek O'Connor travels to Ludlow for one ride.

Derek O'Connor: has his third ride at LudlowCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He reignites his association with Kilfilum Cross, now trained by Henry Oliver, in the 3m amateur riders' handicap chase (3.35). The pair combined twice during his three-race point-to-point career, finishing second before following up at Cragmore in February 2016.

"He won on him in his point-to-point and I gave him a call and he was keen to come over and ride him," Oliver said.

"The horse looks to be off a nice enough mark and seems in great order so hopefully he'll run a nice race."

O'Connor has ridden at the Shropshire track only twice before, with neither of those ventures resulting in success.

However, O'Connor appears to hold solid claims aboard the eight-year-old, who makes his first start for his new trainer since leaving Christopher Kellett.

Oliver added: "He knows the job inside out and knows the horse well too. It always helps to have the best available and the owners were more than happy to look after Derek when he comes over."

Wonderful Charm returns after long absence

Formerly smart chaser Wonderful Charm makes his seasonal bow for in-form trainer Paul Nicholls in the 3m2f hunter chase (4.30) at Doncaster.

The 11-year-old has been a marvellous servant to connections winning ten races, three of which have come at Graded level, and contesting the Grand National twice.

He returns from a 257-day break, and Nicholls said: "He's been ready to run for a month and was going to go to Musselburgh, but the races were lost. He needs fast ground so Doncaster is ideal to start the season off for his hunter chase campaign.

"He doesn't ever show anything at home – that's just him – but he should win in this company."

Although qualified for the Foxhunter at Cheltenham next month, for which he is a best-priced 33-1 with Betfair, Wonderful Charm's future targets would be determined by the ground, Nicholls said.

"He's qualified for Cheltenham, but he'd go only if the ground was fast. He's a real quick-ground horse and the last couple of years it's been too soft at the festival."

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