Arzal seeking change of luck
The smart five-year-old lost all chance in the Betfair Hurdle when badly hampered by the fall of Chieftain’s Choice going down the back straight.
Detached from the pack, young jockey Paul O’Brien did not panic and allowed his mount time to recover his breath before staying on strongly to claim sixth in one of the most competitive races of the season.
With a huge bonus on offer to connections of any horse who wins this race and follows up at Cheltenham, Arzal also holds an engagement in the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle.
“The ground is supposed to dry up, which would be a help,” said Whittington.
“We could do with a change in fortune as he was very unlucky last time.
“However, we learned a lot about him that day so while it was disappointing at the time, the fact he had to come from a long way back has given us another option with him.
“Whenever he runs in a handicap Paul will retain the ride as he rides him every day at home and knows him so well. He’s a bright lad and rode a winner the other day.”
Tom George is keen to see if Some Buckle is well handicapped on a mark of 135 and believes he might be based on the fact he lost out in a photo finish to emerging star Glingerburn at level weights.
“He’s won his novice hurdle and was just touched off by the nice horse of Nicky Richards’ that won the Morebattle and won again at the weekend,” said George.
“After that he ran well up to a point last time at Cheltenham I thought.
“It was a funny race, they all ganged up and he was a bit short of room.
“Whatever happens we’ve always viewed him as next year’s horse, he’s going to make a smashing chaser.”
Ante-post favourite is David Pipe’s unbeaten Bidourey with the sponsors putting him in at 6-1.
As yet he is not a confirmed runner, with Pipe telling his website: “This year we have three entries; Bidourey, Heath Hunter and Twentytwo’s Taken. At this stage Heath Hunter is an intended runner, while a decision on the participation of the others will be made later in the week.”
Paul Nicholls has the option of running Calipto (8-1) or Qualando (10-1), while Nicky Henderson’s highly touted West Wizard is a 10-1 chance and stablemate Snake Eyes is 12-1, the same price as Arzal.
Willie Mullins has entered Clondaw Warrior, Tony Martin has put in Blackmail, while Chieftain’s Choice, a late absentee at the weekend, has the option for John Quinn.
With the Pipe family having won the bonus three times already (Olympian 1993, Blowing Wind 1998 and Gaspara 2007) it is no surprise a Pond House horse heads the betting.
“Bidourey is unbeaten, runs for the trainer with the best record in the race over the last decade and has a fighting chance of landing the £100,000 bonus,” said William Hill spokesman Jon Ivan-Duke. The race has attracted a strong field and it looks likely to be a quality renewal.”
