... while shorter trip will suit Temple Lord!
He's entitled to go close but he ran just a week ago when a late mistake could have left its mark. That being the case, he may struggle to make the most of the easier chance and thus it may be worth looking elsewhere.
The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Temple Lord has been well beaten on his only two previous tries in handicaps but he's still lightly raced in these isles and he looked potentially smart when winning a beginners' chase at Ffos Las back in November.
That victory came on a sound surface and, while he'll face far more testing conditions here, he has plenty of winning form on heavy ground in his native France.
He didn't jump well and also looked a non-stayer when beaten over two miles and five furlongs last time but the drop to two miles for today's race is very much in his favour and it could prompt improvement.
One of the most informative races of the weekend is at Punchestown, where the well-touted Ut De Sivola bids to follow up his Clonmel victory in the Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle. Willie Mullins' horse faces a much stiffer task than when claiming that runaway success but he left a deep impression and has been very well backed for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
He's going to start a very short price favourite and it's probably not a bet given that some of the runners have more experience over hurdles and better form in the book but punters looking forward to Cheltenham might be best advised to take the Triumph Hurdle odds prior to the race as it won't take a lot for something to make an impression on what is an open looking division.
