By Charlie McCann
Nicky Henderson has saddled the last three runners-up of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle however his Tolworth Hurdle winner L’Ami Serge was cut to 5/1 (from 10s) with BetVictor to go one better for the trainer after roaring to success in the weekend’s feature at Sandown. Henderson has won the curtain-raiser to the Cheltenham Festival twice prior, however hasn’t saddled the winner since Flown roared to success under Jamie Osbourne all the way back in 1992. Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh and Rich Ricci have combined to win the last two renewals with Champagne Fever and Vautour and Douvan heads the market as 4/1 favourite with BetVictor bidding to land connections an emphatic hat-trick.
The King of Clossuton saddles two runners this afternoon at Thurles with Roi Des Francs (2.25) a likely winner of the 2m 6f Maiden Hurdle on the card. The selection boasts strong form in his native France and was an impressive winner on debut for the yard when winning a warm bumper at Tipperary in October. The selection chased home a well-backed runner for Michael Hourigan on his debut over timber later that month at Punchestown and looks the ideal type to continue his progression, with the winner already franking the form on his next start.
There’s further National Hunt action from Lingfield and Musselburgh, where Royal Player is a fascinating runner at the latter and sent up from Philip Hobbs for the feature 3m handicap chase. Diana Whateley’s 6-y-o couldn’t have been more impressive when scoring last time out at Ludlow however a 9lb hike at the weights could see him come unstuck and, at the prices, could be worth taking on with Island Heights (3.00) for the in-form Lucinda Russell yard.
The selection won a point-to-point at the first time of asking in his native Ireland and has been progressive since joining the Russell yard; yet to finish out of the first four home. He made a pleasing start on his first start over fences last time out at Sedgefield and looks well-treated to give a strong account under a featherbed weight and talented conditional Craig Nichol taking off an additional 3lb.
The pair boast strong claims for the handicap chase over the minimum trip with Kai Broon (1.30) bidding to make it third time lucky after returning from an absence of over eighteen months. The selection has been unsuited by ground softer than ideal on both starts at Newcastle however has been lowered a further 5lb and should relish the forecast better conditions.
Ginger Jack proved highly progressive on the flat and makes his belated debut over timber in the opening 2m Maiden Hurdle however John Ferguson’s Jalingo (1.00) looks a winner in waiting and can make it second time lucky under Brian Hughes. The well-bred son of Cape Cross was a beaten favourite on his hurdling debut when second at Newbury however can go one better on the likely better ground.
Craig Gordon has placed King Edmund brilliantly to win a pair of novices’ hurdles at Lingfield and Plumpton and the 12-y-o returns to the former under a double penalty in the opener. He looks vulnerable giving a stone away however and Blown Cover (1.10) can give further success to the red-hot team of Venetia Williams and Aidan Coleman. The selection was third on his debut under rules when third in a warm bumper at Ffos Las and looks the ideal type to progress further up in trip over hurdles.
Jonjo O’Neill’s yard continue to struggle for form and as such Cloudy Copper has to be opposed for the 3m Novices’ Chase on the card, with Fourovakind (1.40) chanced for up-and-coming trainer Harry Whittington. The selection’s two career wins have come on soft and heavy ground and he looks sure to handle the forecast testing conditions better than most.
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