Vintage performance expected
However, there is a promising youngster to keep an eye on in the shape of the Henrietta Knight-trained Only Vintage.
An ex-Irish gelding, he boasts form that would be regarded as top-notch even if he were running on a Grade One track, and there should be little to worry him in division two of the European Breeders Fund ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Only Vintage finished seventh in the Cheltenham Festival Bumper last year when trained by Michael Hourigan.
His ability seems to have travelled with him to Wantage as he was very impressive when winning at Newbury in November.
He beat Secret Ploy and the ill-fated Moonstream that day and can defy a penalty in style.
Ms Knight can achieve a double courtesy of Robber Baron, who contests the Connolly’s Red Mills Beginners’ Chase.
A very talented novice hurdler who got close to In Contrast three seasons ago, he then spent the best part of two years off the track after rupturing a tendon.
The eight-year-old returned last month where he was pulled up on his chasing debut.
However, he ran better than the form suggests, having only really got tired around four from home.
From the same sire as Best Mate, as a bumper horse Robber Baron was described by his trainer as the best she had trained since the triple Gold Cup winner, and he will have come on a load since his last run.
The other meetings are on the all-weather and Jonny Ebeneezer can regain his prolific winning thread in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap at Lingfield.
A quirky individual whose run must be kept as late as possible, the six-year-old put David Flood’s yard on the map last year with seven victories after being claimed out of a Southwell seller.
Jonny Ebeneezer ran at the track last month and performed much better than his fifth-placed finish would suggest, as he encountered traffic problems and did not have enough time to hit the winning post in front.
He had previously wound up his turf campaign by finishing sixth behind Royal Millennium in a Group Three sprint at Newmarket.
But his dirt rating is still 16lb below his turf mark and a reproduction of his grass form would see him home today.
Very few trainers in this game are shrewder than Barney Curley and while very little is known about the ex-German Le Soleil, he takes on a moderate field Bet Direct On At The Races Maiden Stakes on his first British start. He looks one to keep an eye on.
