Horse Racing: Tenant can make himself at home at Musselburgh

SITTING Tenant may have had his problems on and off the racecourse but the Howard Johnson-trained gelding has more than enough ability to make his presence felt on his return from injury at Musselburgh this afternoon.

After winning a Grade Two Aintree bumper for Kate Walton, Johnson snapped up the gelding for 160,000 guineas. His hurdling career got off to a disappointing start as he was beaten at long odds-on at Hexham but he showed he was better than that when striking gold on much better ground back at Aintree next time.

He has not been sighted on a racecourse since but Johnson is well capable of readying one after such a break and Sitting Tennant should be hard to beat in the TurfTV The Best of British Racing Beginners' Chase if his ability remains intact.

It could turn out to be a fine afternoon for the County Durham handler with Little Hercules a major player in the Watch Racing UK Live On Sky 432 Novices' Hurdle.

He made a winning debut in a decent enough bumper by Catterick standards in December and was not disgraced under a penalty at the same track next time when chasing home an impressive Irish raider. If he takes to the hurdling game, he should do well.

Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson's Punchestowns bids to get his season back on track in the 40% Better Off On Betfair SP Graduation Chase at Kempton today. The chestnut was second to Big Buck's in the World Hurdle a couple of seasons ago and his novice chase campaign went largely to plan before he disappointed in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. He was narrowly beaten by another smart horse in Pride Of Dulcote on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury but then disappointed when a hot favourite for Cheltenham's Argento Chase last month.

The eight-year-old's owner Judy Wilson is sure her charge is better than that run however, although she admits the decision to turn out again less than a fortnight after his last run was made by her rather than her trainer. "We want to see him bounce back and I felt sorry for the horse at Cheltenham," said Wilson.

"I have to say I think he just got tired - there is no other way to describe it."

Punchestowns holds entries in the Ryanair Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup over fences at next month's Festival, while he also has the option of reverting to the smaller obstacles for another crack at Big Buck's. But Wilson says no decision has been made and connections are likely to learn plenty today. He faces just three horses at Kempton today - Pasco, Bugsy's Boy and Crack Away Jack.