Snap Tie to impress at Cheltenham

Snap Tie has been handed top weight for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday week following his impressive seasonal bow.

Philip Hobbs’ charge beat Champion Hurdle hero Katchit at Kempton last month and if he is to follow up here, he will have to defy an 11st 12lb burden.

The strong Irish challenge of 11 is headed by Won In The Dark (11st 6lb), who finished third in last season’s Triumph Hurdle prior to a Grade One victory at Punchestown.

Trainer Tom Hogan could be represented by Kirbybroguelantern (10st 13lb) and Silver Jaro (10st 12lb) but is leaning towards running the latter, who was a game winner of the County Hurdle on his latest visit to Cheltenham.

“My horses always seem to be rated slightly higher in England,” said Hogan.

“I see that Silver Jaro has been given 10st 12lb and he would be the more likely runner in the Greatwood at the moment.

“We would have to sit down and think about whether we let Kirbybroguelantern take his chance.

“Silver Jaro loves Cheltenham and I was delighted with his victory in the County Hurdle.

“He’s been in reasonable form throughout the summer but he would like better ground than we’ve been having in Ireland lately.

“I probably shouldn’t have really run him on his latest start on the Flat at Galway when the ground was very testing.

“Hopefully, he will run a better race at Cheltenham if he gets some better ground.”

Other interesting possibles include Franchoek, who has been allotted 11st 7lb, along with Pierrot Lunaire, Arcalis and Chomba Womba, Blue Bajan (11st 6lb), Ashkazar (11st 6lb) and Piraya (10st 13lb).