Douvan heads a field of twelve for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle however all value looks to have already been well and truly hoovered up with second favourite L’Ami Serge backed into 10/3 for Messrs Henderson and Geraghty. In a wide open race there’s plenty of value lurking around and the pair of Jollyallan for AP McCoy and Shaneshill under reliable deputy Paul Townend are the two that appeal most at the prices, however the race is more of a watching brief with connections of the two market leaders bullish about their respective chances.
The same thoughts apply to The Arkle, with 25s already taken about second favourite and general 11/2 chance Vibrato Valtat and 33s already taken about Mick Channon’s exciting novice chaser Sgt Reckless. I’ve also dipped my toe in and taken some 10/1 about Josses Hill as there’s little juice in the favourite, Un De Sceaux, and his price at odds-on. Josses Hill was beaten last time out at Kempton, as was Sgt Reckless when last seen down the field in the Christmas Hurdle, however Vibrato Valtat (2.05) boasts a pleasing and progressive profile and looks a solid each-way chance against the jolly.
A 3m handicap chase is much more my cup of tea with Alan King’s Ned Stark (2.40) a confident selection under regular partner Denis O’Regan. The selection has been a revelation this term since sent over the larger obstacles, defying marks of 126 and 130 with ease at Huntingdon and Newbury before being done by speedier rivals in the Dipper Chase at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day. The 7-y-o bounced back beating the progressive Kaki De La Pree, the pair pulling clear, and he can continue his ascent in a race that his trainer excels in; Bensalem successful in 2011 from the exact same mark. Evan Williams’ Barrakilla and Harry Fry’s Mendip Express are respected and would be each-way alternatives if, for whatever reason, the Barbury Castle inmate wasn’t to take up his engagement and plenty of bookmakers, BetVictor included, paying five places.
Faugheen could go off prohibitively short for the feature Champion Hurdle if his stablemates Douvan and Un De Sceaux win their respective G1 contests earlier on the card however the race ultimately revolves around the unbeaten 7-y-o for Champion Trainer Willie Mullins. Ruby Walsh has opted for ‘the machine’ over stablemate and, 22x G1 winner, Hurricane Fly (and indeed Arctic Fire) and it is hard not to have been impressive by the manner of his success at the Festival last term. He has progressed into open-age company winning at Ascot and Kempton subsequently however, at the prices, The New One (3.20) must be backed for Sam and Nigel Twiston –Davies. The selection was an unlucky loser in the race last season when severely hampered by the fall of Our Conor and he can bounce back at a track where he clearly thrives.
Annie Power is different gravy to her peers in the OLBG Mares’ race and should cap-off, or perhaps salvage, the day for the Mullins and Walsh duo at the likely expense of stablemate Glens Melody.
I was very sweet on the chances of Wounded Warrior for the National Hunt Chase however connections’ Very Wood runs instead and is respected having won last year’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle under Paul Carberry. Sister Nina rides this year’s worthy favourite, who was impressive when scoring in a G2 Novices’ Chase last month at Navan however is overlooked for Sego Success (4.40) for Alan King and Sam Waley-Cohen. The selection follows a similar path to last season’s winner after winning a good novices’ chase at Warwick en-route to a step up in trip and is taken to land King a third success in the last eight renewals.
Stellar Notion (5.15) should justify each-way support in the finale for Tom George and Paddy Brennan. Half of Huddersfield was on the 7-y-o when he made all to win at Kempton on Boxing Day and despite disappointing last time out at the track, has his excuses. His jockey indicated he hated the sticky ground at the track and was left in front sooner than ideal when attempting to make all. A bolder showing would have severely affected his handicap mark however he remains on an unrevised mark of 137 and should prove to be much, much better.
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