Top Notch (1.30) has been Pricewise'd in the opening Triumph Hurdle however still boasts plenty of value to lower the colours of stable-mates Peace and Co and Hargam under Daryl Jacob. The selection is unbeaten after five starts in Britain and France and has impressed with the fluency of his hurdling in successes at Musselburgh, Ascot and Haydock respectively. He can continue his unblemished record under rules to give trainer Nicky Henderson a second success of the week.
Cheltenian was an ante-post selection for the County Hurdle at 20/1, having been backed into favouritism last year before disappointing and being pulled-up. He remains with the potential to out-run his mark however with rain forecast a chance is taken on Max Dynamite (2.05) for the all-conquering team of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh. The 5-y-o was group class on the flat and made a winning debut over hurdles beating Sandra Hughes' subsequent Listed Hurdle winner Phil's Magic in impressive fashion. He chased home the smart Kitten Rock at Limerick over Christmas before finishing down the field in a trappy race last time out at Naas but looks the type to bounce back, taken to relish the 'festival pace' normally associated with such a competitive handicap.
Twenty go to post for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle including the 'big three' that have long been at the head of the ante-post market all winter and Black Hercules, No More Heroes and Value at Risk all likely to feature at the head of the market. There looks to be little value in the trio however and it could be worth backing a few at bigger prices, with the Nicky Henderson pair of Carraci Apache (2.40) and Out Sam (2.40) both appealing at the prices. Both have impressed in recent outings, with the latter in particular a fascinating runner under regular partner Barry Geraghty. The selection won one of the hottest novices' hurdles of the season at Newbury's Hennessy meeting and followed-up under a penalty at Ascot. They should be competitive and can hopefully reward each-way support.
Silviniaco Conti boasts a terrible record at Cheltenham and with rain coming Oliver Sherwood's Many Clouds (3.20) can celebrate a return to the big time landing the Cheltenham Gold Cup for owner Trevor Hemmings. The selection has been nothing but progressive in his second season over the larger obstacles, winning a Graduation Chase at Carlisle en-route to winning the season's most prestigious handicap chase, The Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. He proved able to handle the undulations of Prestbury Park when winning the Denman Chase at the track in January and he can cap off an excellent 12-months for jockey Leighton Aspell and win jump racing's blue riband.
No opinion on the Foxhunters, however you would assume On the Fringe to be in the frame..
Willie and Danny Mullins have landed a touch in the Martin Pipe twice in the last four years (with subsequent G1 chasers Sir Des Champs and Don Poli) and the money for Roi Des Francs has been significant, with the 6-y-o being backed from double-figure prices into favouritism. Paul Nicholls' Le Mercurey has been a talking horse and is respected for a trainer that has an excellent record in the race however a chance is taken on Jennie Candish's Party Rock (4.40) to justify each-way support and reverse the form with Jonjo O'Neill's Forthefunofit in the process. The selection boasts course and distance form and ran a blinder on his seasonal reappearance chasing home JP, AP and Jonjo's 'handicap good thing' last time out at Huntingdon. He comes out on 4lb better terms and can out-run his price of 40/1, ahead of Nicky Henderson's Full Shift, not seen since disappointing in the race last year, and the David Pipe pair of Vieux Lion Rouge and Balgarry.
All the focus will be on AP McCoy and Ned Buntline in the finale, the AP McCoy Grand Annual, however Paul Carberry and Eastlake (5.15) can provide something of an upset in those famous green and gold hoops. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding was a huge eye-catcher travelling powerfully last time out at Ascot before tiring in the closing stages, but should remain competitive from an unrevised mark down to the minimum trip.
Selections
1.30 Top Notch 8/1 (Nb) with BOG
2.05 Max Dynamite 16/1 with BOG
2.40 Carraci Apache & Out Sam both 16/1 with BOG
3.20 Many Clouds (Nap) 8/1 with BOG
4.40 Party Rock 40/1 with BOG
5.15 Eastlake 14/1 with BOG
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