The Opus Energy Novices’ Handicap
Hurdle (3.25) at Cheltenham on Friday is numerically the most
competitive race on the first day of the Open Meeting and, with
plenty of winning form on offer, may take some winning.
Trendsetter made a promising
start to his hurdling career when third of nine, beaten 1¾ lengths,
in a maiden hurdle at Wetherby on Boxing Day and, although failin to
build on that effort in two subsequent starts, he’s shown improved
form on the Flat in recent months. The prevailing good going should
suit him and he starts life in handicaps off a fairly lowly mark if
able to translate his recent improvement back to hurdles.
At the other end of the handicap,
French import Baraka De Thaix also made a promising hurdling
debut when third of nine, beaten 2 lengths, behind Golden Doyen in
the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham last November. The Dom
Alco gelding subsequently finished well beaten in the JCB Triumph
Hurdle proper, in which he jumped poorly, but remains one to keep an
eye on, despite the ‘steadier’ of 11st 12lb on his handicap
debut.
Lightly-raced 7-year-old A Hare
Breath has been off the course for nearly two years and was only
recently transferred to Ben Pauling from Nick Gifford. However, the
winning point-to-pointer showed decent form behind Irving (now rated
162) and Josses Hill (now rated 158) on his two starts under rules
and could be extraordinarily well handicapped if retaining his
ability. Of course, he’s obviously had his problems, so he’s not
with risks, but that’s what this column is all about and he’s too
tempting to resist.
Selections: Cheltenham 3.25
Trendsetter, Baraka De Thaix, A Hare Breath
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