Three from Andy Holding as he looks to bring some good form into Cheltenham.
14.10 Wincanton
VARDS (best price 9-1) has shown quite a bit of promise in some decent novice hurdles and he looks an interesting contender on his first attempt in handicap company off what appears a reasonable mark.
Shaping well on his rules debut at Chepstow back in November, Jack Barber’s nine-year-old was then pitched into an incredibly hot novice event on his next start and although he got beaten a fair way, the subsequent performances of those ahead of him that day such as Rathhil, Drashel Dancer, Nordic Combined and Pistil Whipped suggests that he didn’t run too badly on the figures.
Once again in quite deep again at Plumpton on his most recent start, the son of Tamure was bang there until getting outpaced by some smart novices, but he at least finished off his race well enough to suggest a step up in trip should suit in future. Being a former point winner, today’s 2m5f journey should prove ideal and with his yard just beginning to show signs of a revival, he makes plenty of appeal at the morning prices.
14.40 Wincanton
LEN BRENNAN (best price 11-2) had the misfortune to bump into a well-handicapped horse at Carlisle last time out, but he certainly did more than enough to suggest he could take a hand in this slightly weaker-looking contest.
Off the back of strong pace set by Coningsby, Tim Vaughan’s gelding had no trouble keeping tabs on the speed, and although he couldn’t quite match the staying power of the winner from the back of the last, he kept on well enough to finish an honourable second.
Prior to that excellent effort, the six-year-old has run perfectly respectably over today’s course and hailing from a stable in decent nick after all the flu vaccinations (three winners this week), he looks to have obvious claims of hitting the frame at the very least.
16.10 Thurles
Up to now, it’s safe to say that Debuchet has been a bitter disappointment over hurdles considering how good he was in bumpers, so with that in mind, it may pay to look towards the consistent FINAL LIST (NAP) (best price 2-1) who once again ran to a very good level at Punchestown last time out.
Runner-up to the useful Valdieu in a decent maiden contest at Naas on hurdling debut, Gordon Elliot’s gelding probably ran to a similar level when third behind Polished Steel over today’s course next time. Upped in trip for his latest start at Punchestown, the son of Doyen only wilted in the closing stages after a protracted dual with the well-backed Insult, but considering the final circuit was run in a time two seconds quicker than the top-class mare Laurina on the same card, it probably wasn’t a bad effort in the circumstances.
Obviously, today extra quarter mile is a slight unknown, but he shapes like he will stay and at the morning odds, he’s worth a small roll of the dice.
