Tea the order of the day
Making the assumption that the Welsh meeting will go ahead, the Rebecca Curtis-trained Teaforthree appeals as the best bet on the card.
The eight-year-old was pulled up in the Grade 1 Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton on his most recent outing but that should be ignored now that he is stepping back quite significantly in grade and facing more suitably testing conditions.
Prior to that, he had looked very progressive over fences and the form of his length and a half second behind Join Together reads well in the context of today's race. Tony McCoy looks likely to ensure that stamina comes into play and he can put these rivals to the sword.
Viking Blond was a disappointing favourite for the Welsh National on his most recent outing and has a little to prove now. Ben's Folly is on an upward curve but he has something to find with Viking Blond and Teaforthree on official figures. Maringo Bay actually beat Teaforthree over hurdles last term but hasn't progressed as effectively over the larger obstacles, while Cannington Brook has plenty to do at the weights.
While the 'p' in front of Teaforthree's name may be off-putting, it's a character that's easily forgiven and, with staying-power the order of the day, he rates a strong bet to get back to winning ways.
Although it would be nice to find a value alternative, it looks impossible to oppose Oscar Whisky in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.
He hasn’t run over a trip this short since finishing third behind Hurricane Fly in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle in March but he did win this race last year and shouldn’t be too inconvenienced by the ground, particularly with the heavy going ensuring a certain reserve of stamina will be required.
Nicky Henderson’s horse has been campaigned almost exclusively on good ground recently but the last time he encountered heavy going - in a Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown two years ago - he travelled really strongly and won readily. This is clearly a lot tougher but he’s a really classy sort and should account for Starluck.
The latter is making his debut for David Arbuthnot this afternoon and he’s capable of running well fresh. However, his best form is on good ground and he’s likely to get stuck in the mud.
Former Fred Winter runner-up Ashkazar earned a rating of 161 when winning at Cheltenham in January of last year but that was over three miles and he shouldn’t have the pace to trouble the favourite. His form has also tailed-off somewhat in recent times - he burst a blood vessel when pulled up behind Restless Harry in October.
Oscars Whisky is not a working man’s price but should provide a solid inclusion in multiples.
The Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown tomorrow is another valuable pot to attract a depressingly small field but given that two of the three runners account for the last two Champion Chases at Cheltenham, it is, at least, high on quality.
Henry De Bromhead’s Sizing Europe quite comprehensively got the better of Big Zeb in March but the form was reversed when they met at Punchestown. He was also quite a smooth winner of the Tingle Creek at Sandown on his most recent start, though what that amounts to is up for debate. However, going left-handed on good ground is what seems to suit him best.
Big Zeb’s connections will tell you that he’s also better on decent ground but he’s a very dependable and wily old campaigner, and he may be the one to adapt best to these conditions. He’s unbeaten in two runs this season, getting the better of Noble Prince both times. There isn’t going to be much between then tomorrow and the price should dictate which horse to back. It seems likely that they’ll be sent off virtually joint favourites and, in that case, marginal preference is for Big Zeb.
SELECTIONS:
Teaforthree, 3.50 Ffos Las
Big Zeb, 2.55 Punchestown, Tomorrow
