Rooster Booster preparing for Cheltenham
Rooster Booster is all set to complete his preparations for Cheltenham with a run in the Tote Gold Trophy, which should, in theory, be a straight-forward task for the reigning champion hurdler.
The Philip Hobbs-trained 10-year-old has an official rating of 166 meaning he will carry top weight of 11st 12lb.
Although he is certainly a class act and at the top of his form he could concede weight all round to win, the grey gelding has not quite looked the force of old in the current campaign, winning just one of his three starts.
At odds of 11-2 with the sponsors, Rooster Booster does not offer much appeal and a better bet, at rather nice odds, could be Quazar.
Jonjo O’Neill’s six-year-old is available at a best-priced 33-1 with Blue Square and Victor Chandler and he is certainly worth at least an each-way bet.
Admittedly his run last time, when a distant second to M Cool at Ascot, was disappointing but it emerged afterwards that he had suffered from breathing problems.
Taken on his best form though, when winning the Grade One Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown and giving over a stone away to Well Chief when second at Wincanton, Quazar really stands out.
The drop back to two miles will suit and it is probably best to put a line through that Ascot run and give him the benefit of the doubt.
Paddy Power have Martin Pipe’s Our Vic on offer at 11-1 for the Grade Three event and it would come as no surprise that the champion trainer had left a bit up the sleeve with this one.
Unbeaten in three outings last season, the six-year-old made a more than satisfactory come back when second in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Sandown in December.
Our Vic still seems to be progressing at a rate of knots and with him being allotted just 10st 5lb, he would seem to be on a good mark.
Obviously this race represents a big step up for Our Vic and it may be best to side with experience.
O’Neill is also responsible for Australian import Specular and this eight-year-old would not be without his fans at a best-priced 14-1 with Blue Square.
Specular was a top-class performer in his native country but he failed to set the world alight when a 17-length third behind Rooster Booster in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock.
That was an encouraging run though as he seemed to blow up when put under pressure and it was his first start in six months.
The 14-1 about him could also prove to be very generous, but it is Quazar who stands out as the value bet. Leave him out of your placepot at your peril.
