Petticoat seeks to extend Greatrex bumper record

Petticoat Tails aims to build on trainer Warren Greatrex's fine record in bumpers at Sandown by delivering a second victory in the Listed EBF Stallions/TBA Mares race (3.35).

Greatrex saddled The Nipper to score 12 months ago and regards the unbeaten Petticoat Tails on a par with her stablemate after posting victories at Huntingdon and Wetherby.

The stable has enjoyed three wins in ten Sandown bumpers that it has contested and boasts a £10 profit to £1 stake.

Greatrex said: "She won her last two, I think she is good. It's a step up in class but she will love the track, she won't mind the ground. I like her. She is less quirky than The Nipper and she seems to be getting better."

Irish stables have won two of the last three runnings of the race, including Willie Mullins who will try to add a second victory with Redhotfillypeppers.

The mare was an easy winner of a point-to-point before scoring on her bumper debut at Punchestown in December under amateur rider and owner David Dunsdon.

"She is a nice mare," said Dunsdon. "We were very pleased with her at Punchestown. The objective was try to find a nice mare to have with Willie. Everything she has done so far she has done well."

Fergal O'Brien saddles two runners in Oscar Rose, who is already a Listed winner, and Cap Soleil, who receives a four-year-old allowance.

The trainer said: "Cap Soleil won bumpers at Cheltenham and Newbury and we couldn't have enough rain for her. Oscar Rose would like it dry. I don't think it will rain but I am sure the ground will be fine for both."

Hedge hunting for more

Equipped with a visor, Willoughby Hedge stepped up on a couple of modest efforts to score over course and distance last month and now tries to repeat the performance off a 9lb higher mark in the 3m handicap chase (2.25).

He is up against Pete The Feat again, the 13-year-old who won the Veterans' Final on the track in January but was beaten 25 lengths last time.

Alan King said of Willoughby Hedge, "He is 9lb higher than when he won over the course and distance three weeks ago. He travelled well there in the visor and if it works again he should again be competitive."

Pete The Feat's trainer Charlie Longsdon said: "He made a mistake at the first fence last time and after that his jumping went to pot. He has schooled well since but he is 13 so he can blow a bit hot and cold.

"The Veterans' Final was the race we planned for all year which came off and anything else is a bonus."