Racing: Monger fancied to follow up.

Byline: BY ARGUS 

MONGER LANE has a fine chance of completing a course and distance double at Leicester by taking the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Handicap Chase today.

Returning from a six-month absence when beating only daylight home over hurdles in November, she reverted to fences five weeks ago and displayed wonderful determination to overcome a previous winner by just over a length.

With the form of that race having worked out exceptionally well- the third, fourth, seventh, eighth, and even 10th winning next time out -it seems fair to assume that Monger Lane will run another big race.

Bidding to open his account over fences at the third attempt, The Local seems the most likely winner of the gg.com Beginners' Chase over two miles.

Formerly a useful performer over hurdles, he made his debut over fences at Warwick last month, and although he was sent off the favourite, he faded in the latter stages, eventually crossing the line a well-beaten fourth behind Tanikos.

He produced a slightly better performance last time when a 10-length third behind the inform Roznic, and further improvement on that effort may well suffice.

Dark Ben can make it fourth time lucky as he steps back up in trip in the Malton Beginners' Chase at Catterick.

Having found the concession of 11lb to a useful rival at Sedgefield in December beyond him, Dark Ben then appeared to struggle over the sharper distance of two miles and three furlongs at this venue last month.

He had to settle for the runner-up spot that day but returning to the course and distance over which his chasing career began, he then produced significant further improvement to finish a close third behind 120-rated Vicario and potentially useful Henry's Pride.

This longer trip should be within his stamina range, so Dark Ben is fancied to gain a deserved first success in this sphere.