Dennis's Lincolnshire hero sets sights on another triumph

2.10 Wincanton

Higos Insurance Services Somerset National Handicap Chase | 3m2f162y | 5yo+ 0-130 | RUK

Cyclop loves a National and, fresh from winning the Lincolnshire variety, heads back to Wincanton to try to atone for last year's exit and win the Somerset version.

Cyclop was travelling well, disputing a close second and looking set to take a hand in the same contest 12 months ago, only to come down four out in a race won by Welsh Grand National runner-up Alfie Spinner.

But in staying on his feet in all starts since, he has finished second in the Cambridgeshire and Southern National – in which he was also third in 2016 – before his victory at Market Rasen, where he scored by a short head.

Trainer David Dennis said: "I was delighted with his run last time. He did well to hold on from the fast finishing Amiral Collonges. He went up 3lb for that, which I thought was fair enough.

"He was travelling very well in the race last year off a mark of 122 and he's off 120 this time so I would hopeful of a bold show. He has handled the ground before. It's a bit of a re-run of last year."

Rathlin Rose, who was sixth – beaten 18 lengths – in the Welsh Grand National, has his first start since while Themanfrom Minella is the other horse coming into the race off a last-time-out win, with 7lb claimer Max Kendrick continuing his association with the challenger owned by his mother Carolyn.

Trainer Ben Case said: "He's run well the last twice. He's been in a couple of races since and the meeting has been called off. He seems to be in good form and the blinkers seemed to have worked so I hope he can put in another good performance.

"He's gone 8lb but I think he's still off a reasonable weight so hopefully there's still a bit more to come yet."

Royal Palladium finished third on his first start of the season at Exeter in November and runs again off the same mark, having been denied an opportunity at the start of the week when Plumpton was abandoned.

Trainer Venetia Williams said: "This is more competitive than the race he was due to run in at Plumpton on Monday, but he's run well at Wincanton before."

Twojayslad has his first start since April and trainer Ian Williams said: "He came back late from his summer break. He's been in good form and done plenty of work. It's a tough call but I'm sure he'll run well."

More than a match

The opening mares' handicap chase (1.10) has drawn only two runners, but two well matched ones in The Nipper, winner of seven of her 12 starts, and Tacenda, yet to finish out of the first four in five rules runs.

Anthony Honeyball, who trains Tacenda, said: "She was beaten 11 lengths by Ms Parfois after doing all the donkey work round Newbury and I think that's pretty strong mares' chase form.

"She gave away a lot of ground at Newbury jumping to her right when we wanted to be sending her on from the front, which was checking her momentum. It's a qualifier for a valuable race later in the season so I've had it lined up for a while."

Brava back

Echo Brava, one of two horses at the centre of the controversial non-trier inquiry which eventually resulted in Jim Best receiving a six-month suspension, will have his first start for Best's wife Suzi on Thursday.

Echo Brava, who has not run since finishing second in a maiden hurdle at Newton Abbot in September 2016, contests the 1m2f handicap at Chelmsford (7.30), in which he is ridden by Timmy Murphy.

Best has had one winner from six runners since granted her licence last year. Missile Man – the other horse involved in the high-profile disciplinary case – has joined the stable of Nikki Frost.

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