Aristo and Sir Chauvelin are course and distance winners worth backing

Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | February 6, 2016

Musselburgh’s Sunday card is Festival Trials day north of the border and, with Cheltenham’s showpiece event at Prestbury Park little more than a month away, a couple of course and distance winners are well worth backing at the Scottish coast venue.

It pays to side with the Aristo

In the County Hurdle (15:00), Aristo Du Plessis can defy top weight to record a third win on the spin around this track at a terrific price on good to soft ground which he relishes.

James Ewart’s bay gelding has won 50 per cent of his dozen outings, including a facile 12-length romp over the trip at this course back in November.

Aristo Du Plessis carried 11st 12lb on both that occasion and his subsequent outing on New Year’s Day, also winning over the distance at Musselburgh when making all the running again.

Partnered by Diarmuid O’Regan once more, the six-year-old faces off against Karl Burke horse Pearl Castle and Aidan Coleman mount Zaidiyn – opposition Aristo Du Plessis has already proven he can get the better of.

Chauvelin also seeks third Musselburgh win

Sir Chauvelin is also a dual course and distance winner, so Jim Goldie’s four-year-old can land the hat-trick by taking the Triumph Hurdle Trial (14:00).