A year ago the world seemed at feet of More Of That, who reappeared after winning the Ladbrokes World Hurdle in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. The odds-on favourite finished 25 lengths behind the eventual winner, Medinas, and has been off the track since having bled badly during work and subsequently having a breathing operation.
The powerful team of McManus and O’Neill are set to send the Beneficial gelding over fences today instead of seeking an attempt at regaining his World Hurdle crown.
The 2m 4f Novices’ Chase is the starting point for More Of That, with a return to Prestbury Park come March seemingly the long-term target. However, this will be no walk in the park on his first run for 349 days as he faces a competitive of novice chasers.
At the head of weights, under a five pound penalty as the only horse with a chase victory, is former Greatwood winner Dell’ Arca. A highly tried novice hurdler, going down a length in the Betfair Hurdle, 4 lengths in the Coral Cup and 2 in the Mersey Novices Hurdle, Dell’ Arca has struggled over fences since his introduction to this sphere a year ago in this race and reverted to hurdles midway through last season. On paper, some of his chase form reads well as he finished a mere length behind the winner in the Berkshire Novices Chase – and on that occasion it was Gold Cup hero Coneygree. The son of Sholokov will need to build upon his chase victory however his sketchy jumping and the penalty may put the sword to his chances today.
An intriguing contender for Ian Williams is Ballyalton, who when last seen at Cheltenham finished second behind the 174 rated Faugheen in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle. He made his eagerly waited return to the track after 18 months out injured, but unseated his rider at the third last on his chasing bow. Whilst unseating the rider is far from ideal, the race will have blown away any cobwebs in terms of fitness, and provided Williams with areas to improve upon with regards to his jumping technique. A fascinating contender.
The line up includes a highly thought of Henderson runner in Might Bite who is certainly not entered to make up the numbers. Last seen when claiming a novice hurdle at this track, the son of Scorpion may not visually be a chaser but twill appreciate every yard of the trip as he has done so far and can easily give the top two in the market something to think about.
Double Shuffle represents Tom George and made a fairly pleasing debut over fences over track and trip last time out when finishing second. He is sure to strip fitter for this outing however there is still a lingering doubt about his ability at this distance after being successful at two miles and failing to see out the trip last time.
Rank outsider at 300/1, The Society Man holds only a selling handicap hurdle win to his name from 47 races and is handed a stiff task again today. There is little to suggest Chapman’s 8 year old will be anywhere near the others come the finish line, but with prize money down to sixth place he is playing for something.
Grade 3 winning hurdler As De Mee is an intriguing runner for Paul Nicholls in this contest. Owned by the Stewart family and Judi Dench, the strapping bar has always been described as chaser by his trainer which makes his success of hurdles a sign of his class. In his Betfair column, the Ditcheat handler descirbes him as “a smashing, athletic type who should be one to follow this winter” concluding his summary with “I am looking for a big run”. He finished second on his chasing bow to the progressive Cocktails At Dawn who is set to line up in the showpiece event tomorrow and arrives here today with a definite chance.
The race has an illustrious roll of honour, including Grand Crus, Dynaste, Time For Rupert, Imperial Commander and Weird Al among some of the winners. Come 1.45pm today we will have the next name to follow for the season.
