Celebration Chase: Henderson eyeing Sandown Celebration

"Finian's Rainbow is going to need to have things done in the summer, but it made sense to give him one more run..."

Nicky Henderson is aiming to end his championship-winning season with a bang by saddling three runners in Saturday's Celebration Chase at Sandown...

Henderson has been chasing Paul Nicholls in vain in recent years but the strength in depth at his disposal these days is perhaps clearly illustrated in this Grade Two event.

Former Queen Mother Champion chaser Finian's Rainbow aims to end a disappointing season on a high, while Henderson also fields good-ground specialist French Opera, who won this race two years ago, and smart handicapper Tanks For That.

Finian's Rainbow has struggled in bad ground all year and while a breathing operation is imminent, Henderson is happy to let him have one more chance on good ground.

"Finian's is going to need to have things done in the summer, but it made sense to give him one more run. French Opera will love it there," said Henderson.

Gary Moore runs one of the least exposed members of the field in Sire De Grugy.

Fourth in Grade One company at Aintree behind Special Tiara, he enjoyed a confidence-boosting win at Stratford last week.

"I was surprised by how well he handled the ground at Stratford as really he's a soft ground horse," said Moore.

"It's a tall order and with the ground against him, he's not going to have it easy.

"He'll have to run in some nice races next year but if he runs well in this, he'll be up against Sprinter Sacre and he'll have no chance in those races."

Colin Tizzard's Oiseau De Nuit rolled back the years to win at Aintree last time out and his handler believes he is thriving, despite now being an 11-year-old.

"Everything looks right for him tomorrow. The ground is in his favour, but we've run him in this a few times and never won it.

"He looks the best he's ever been now. We've been dragging him round in the mud all season but he finally got his ground at Aintree and he sprouted wings.

"Horses can't run to their best all the time, especially at the end of a hard season, so while the ratings might say one thing, they sometimes go out of the window.

"He's come in his coat and looks fantastic. He's in really good nick."

Tataniano looked a very promising chaser a few years back for Paul Nicholls but injury hampered his progress.

He is now with Richard Rowe, who was fairly pleased with his first run for the yard against Sprinter Sacre in the Queen Mother.

"I'm delighted that the ground has come right for him," said Rowe.

"He had his first run for me against Sprinter Sacre and he didn't run at all badly.

"I've been very happy with him since and he looks a lot better now.

"He'd have a chance on his best form as he's a spring horse."

Nicholls runs two himself, last year's winner Sanctuaire and Toubab.

"Sanctuaire is in good shape and if he's in the same form as last year he'd have a chance, but he's an in-and-out performer," said Nicholls.

"We just never really know which Sanctuaire will turn up.

"With Toubab, I've always thought he had a nice race in him but if he runs like he did at Aintree (behind Oiseau De Nuit), he'd have no chance.

"Everything has to go his way but he's won at the course, will like the ground and the sun is shining so you never know."

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Grand National: Henderson hoping it's Boom time

News / Timeform / 04 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Nicky Henderson is hoping to break his National duck this year.

"I think 10st 12lb is an area horses can win from and he's in good form. It's nice he's been there once before..."

Nicky Henderson is looking forward to Shakalakaboomboom flying the flag for his Seven Barrows base in the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week...

The Lambourn trainer has been trying to win the world's greatest steeplechase for more than 30 years, without success.

However, in Shakalakaboomboom he has a horse that jumped the National fences when seventh in the Topham Chase last season, and this term his preparation has gone perfectly well so far.

"He's our intended runner and is all ready to go," Henderson told At The Races.

"After the Topham, in which he jumped beautifully, it was just that two-miles-six was a bit short for him.

"He went on to Punchestown where he won the Pat Taaffe Chase, then he came out at Cheltenham over three miles and a bit first time out this season and his stamina helped him a lot. He was second in the Great Yorkshire (at Doncaster).

"It's been a nice preparation, it's always been the plan and consequently he didn't go to Cheltenham.

"I think 10st 12lb is an area horses can win from and he's in good form. It's nice he's been there once before."

Henderson also has Burton Port in the National but the Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth is more likely to run in the Bowl at the big meeting on Merseyside instead.

"We've discussed it with Trevor (Hemmings, owner) and we are still undecided as he also has Ballabriggs in the National so it's more likely that Burton Port will run in the Bowl rather than the National," Henderson went on.

"He ran a very good race in the Gold Cup. We have National fences here and he has jumped them well but he's not a big fella and he would have a great chance in the Bowl.

"Trevor already has Ballabriggs in the National so it seems sensible to play it that way.

He's still in the National and he's there as a reserve if, God forbid, something went wrong with Ballabriggs. We could bring Burton Port into it, or think about it anyway."

Shakalakaboomboom is currently available at [29.0] for the Grand National, with the David Pipe-trained Junior heading the market at [13.0].

A crackerjack line up of youngsters will take their place in the $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (off 07:05 BST) at Rosehill on Saturday in a contest befitting the richest two-year-old race in the world writes Timeform's man 'Down Under', Gary Crispe......

The Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte on Thursday features a couple of live outsiders for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6.......

Former champion jockey and new Betfair columnist, Ryan Moore, will partner the Richard Hannon-trained Rockinante in Thursday's Group 3 Prix Jebel at Maisons-Laffitte......

Top French jockey Gerald Mosse couldn't hide his enthusiasm for the chances of Americain in Saturday's BMW Stakes (off 05:25 BST) at Rosehill after riding the seven-year-old entire in a special gallop at the track on Tuesday....

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Follow The Money: Henderson + Geraghty = winner!

Follow the Money / Follow The Money / 17 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Masters at work

"Cape Express previously showed a good level of ability when running on the level and represents the all-conquering combination of Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty."

Today's Follow The Money comes from the meetings at Kempton, Uttoxeter and Ffos Las.

We start at Kempton where Cape Express has seen noticeable support in the 13:45 2m Novice Hurdle, currently trading at [3.0] from an early [5.5].

This seven-year-old was last seen on a racecourse when running at Newmarket in the summer of 2009 and makes his hurdles debut today, meaning a certain amount of faith is required. However, the Cape Cross gelding has previously showed a good level of ability when running on the level and represents the all-conquering combination of Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty. The master trainer is bound to have him fit for this test the gamble suggests his ability remains intact.

We go to Uttoxeter for our next selection where Posh Bird continues to be the backed for the Midlands National at 15:20 and is now the market leader at [6.6] having been available at [10.0]. The mare has improved for the step up to marathon distances this season, winning at Catterick over 3m6f back in January and then only being narrowly denied by a well-handicapped sort in the Eider last time out over today's trip. Although up 5lb in the weights for that effort, Lucy Alexander's claim negates that and she will be receiving weight from all the field. The move indicates she can go one better today.

We head to Ffos Las for today's negative, where Paradise Expected has proved easy to back in the 3m Hcap Chase at 17:10 and is available to lay at [4.3] having been [3.4]. A course winner on seasonal debut, the Tim Vaughan runner has run without success on two occasions since and finds himself only rated 1lb higher than the aforementioned victory. However, with the in-form Mac Helen and the talented but quirky Pancake in opposition today punters seem to feel he will struggle to gain a first victory over three miles.

Recommended Bets
Back Cape Express @ [3.0] Kempton 13:45
Back Posh Bird @ [6.6] Uttoxter 15:20
Lay Paradise Expected @ [4.3] Ffos Las 17:10

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Cheltenham and Lingfield....

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Cheltenham, Towcester and Hexham....

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Cheltenham, Huntingdon and Southwell....

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Cheltenham 2012: Henderson in seventh heaven

News / Timeform / 17 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Simonsig was just one of seven winners for Henderson at Cheltenham

"Henderson also enjoyed an unforgettable Wednesday with four winners helping him to eclipse the previous record of most Festival winners held by Fulke Walwyn..."

Nicky Henderson completed a brilliant week at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday, with Bellvano marking his seventh winner of the National Hunt showpiece when taking the final race...

The victory of Bellvano, under a brilliant ride from Paul Carberry, may prove the most memorable of the seven for Henderson, as the J P Mcmanus owned gelding led home Tanks for That to complete a stable 1-2, in the race named in honor of Henderson's father.

Henderson also enjoyed an unforgettable Wednesday with four winners helping him to eclipse the previous record of most Festival winners held by Fulke Walwyn.

Henderson extended his number of Festival winners to 46 this year and was claiming his ninth Trainers' title at the Prestbury Park venue.

Barry Geraghty also secured his second Jockeys' title with five winners after previously clinching the prize in 2005, when he also rode the same total. Wednesday also proved the most successful day for Gergahty, who rode Simonsig, Bobs Worth and Finian's Rainbow in little over an hour to complete a Grade 1 winning treble.

The Henderson Wednesday four-timer was completed in the Coral Cup as Une Artiste took the prize under young-rider Jeremiah McGrath, who was claiming his first victory at the Festival.
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Connections of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised have not ruled out a crack at next month's John Smith's Grand National at Aintree......

Owner Clive Smith is "90% sure" the great Kauto Star, who reached a Timeform Rating of 191 in his peak, will be retired after he was pulled up in Friday's Cheltenham Gold Cup with over a circuit to run......

Synchronised landed a dramatic Cheltenham Gold Cup in the hands of champion jockey AP McCoy, rewarding antepost backers at the maximum price on Betfair......

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Supreme Novices' Hurdle: Henderson, Harrington & Longsdon all hopeful

News / Timeform / 12 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Who will win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle?

"I do think Darlan has that touch of class."

Find out what Nicky Henderson, Jessie Harrington and Charlie Longsdon had to say about their runners in Tuesday's Cheltenham curtain-raiser, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle....

Trainer Nicky Henderson expects Darlan to put the fall he had at Newbury behind him when he lines-up for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

The JP McManus-owned five-year-old was travelling as well as anything when he came down at the second-last flight in the Betfair Hurdle won by Champion Hurdle hope Zarkandar.

He had been unbeaten up to that point, and connections are full of hope Darlan can put the record straight in the Festival curtain-raiser.

"How Darlan took that fall I've no idea as he schooled well after Newbury," said Henderson.

"I do think Darlan has that touch of class. Tetlami, our other runner in the Supreme, you'd call a good horse but Darlan might be a touch better."

Darlan will be ridden by Tony McCoy, who admits he would not change mounts for anything else in the race.

"Darlan was going very well but it was a long way out at Newbury. Who knows what would have happened, but I wouldn't swap him," said the champion jockey.

"Steps To Freedom is a fair horse and apparently he's flying but I hope Darlan has got a very good chance."

Steps To Freedom's trainer Jessica Harrington reports everything has gone to plan since he beat Prospect Wells on this course in November.

"He is in flying form I could not be happier, he has done everything I have asked of him on the run up to this week," she told her website, www.jessicaharringtonracing.com.

"People question why I haven't run him since November but that was always the plan.

"I am really looking forward to him hopefully showing his true colours and to get the Irish off to a winner in the first."

Jockey Robbie Power is looking forward to a decent show from Steps To Freedom.

"The plan's gone perfectly well with him, and he won over course and distance around there in November, which at Cheltenham is a major help," he said.

"We know he handles the track and he has been going well at home.

"For every race at Cheltenham you need a little bit of good luck, he's a tough horse off the Flat and had plenty of hustle and bustle in the bumper at Aintree last year."

Charlie Longsdon feels his two runners, Vulcanite and Hazy Tom, have sound each-way claims.

"Vulcanite seems in great form and he should get the strong gallop that he needs. Hazy Tom needs a good pace as well. That's important," said the Chipping Norton trainer.

"They will be massively improved for their last run and I think they are solid each-way horses."

Vulcanite will be ridden by Paddy Brennan, who said: "I didn't get it right on him last time, he got left in front, but he's a very exciting animal.

"In the schooling field I've not sat on many horses like him."
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Timeform TV Focus callers enjoyed over £2500 profit (to £20 level stakes at Betfair SP) in our first year. Call TV Focus for tips on all Cheltenham CH4 races.

Connections of Binocular are expecting a big run from the 2010 winner, who was unable to defend his crown 12 months ago......

Nicky Henderson is hoping Sprinter Sacre can succeed where stablemate Finian's Rainbow failed in Tuesday's Arkle Chase at Cheltenham......

Timeform look back at the highlights from the weekend, which included the Imperial Cup at Sandown and Super Saturday at Meydan......

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Supreme Novices' Hurdle: Henderson, Harrington & Longsdon all hopeful

News / Timeform / 12 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Who will win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle?

"I do think Darlan has that touch of class."

Find out what Nicky Henderson, Jessie Harrington and Charlie Longsdon had to say about their runners in Tuesday's Cheltenham curtain-raiser, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle....

Trainer Nicky Henderson expects Darlan to put the fall he had at Newbury behind him when he lines-up for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

The JP McManus-owned five-year-old was travelling as well as anything when he came down at the second-last flight in the Betfair Hurdle won by Champion Hurdle hope Zarkandar.

He had been unbeaten up to that point, and connections are full of hope Darlan can put the record straight in the Festival curtain-raiser.

"How Darlan took that fall I've no idea as he schooled well after Newbury," said Henderson.

"I do think Darlan has that touch of class. Tetlami, our other runner in the Supreme, you'd call a good horse but Darlan might be a touch better."

Darlan will be ridden by Tony McCoy, who admits he would not change mounts for anything else in the race.

"Darlan was going very well but it was a long way out at Newbury. Who knows what would have happened, but I wouldn't swap him," said the champion jockey.

"Steps To Freedom is a fair horse and apparently he's flying but I hope Darlan has got a very good chance."

Steps To Freedom's trainer Jessica Harrington reports everything has gone to plan since he beat Prospect Wells on this course in November.

"He is in flying form I could not be happier, he has done everything I have asked of him on the run up to this week," she told her website, www.jessicaharringtonracing.com.

"People question why I haven't run him since November but that was always the plan.

"I am really looking forward to him hopefully showing his true colours and to get the Irish off to a winner in the first."

Jockey Robbie Power is looking forward to a decent show from Steps To Freedom.

"The plan's gone perfectly well with him, and he won over course and distance around there in November, which at Cheltenham is a major help," he said.

"We know he handles the track and he has been going well at home.

"For every race at Cheltenham you need a little bit of good luck, he's a tough horse off the Flat and had plenty of hustle and bustle in the bumper at Aintree last year."

Charlie Longsdon feels his two runners, Vulcanite and Hazy Tom, have sound each-way claims.

"Vulcanite seems in great form and he should get the strong gallop that he needs. Hazy Tom needs a good pace as well. That's important," said the Chipping Norton trainer.

"They will be massively improved for their last run and I think they are solid each-way horses."

Vulcanite will be ridden by Paddy Brennan, who said: "I didn't get it right on him last time, he got left in front, but he's a very exciting animal.

"In the schooling field I've not sat on many horses like him."
..........
Timeform TV Focus callers enjoyed over £2500 profit (to £20 level stakes at Betfair SP) in our first year. Call TV Focus for tips on all Cheltenham CH4 races.

Connections of Binocular are expecting a big run from the 2010 winner, who was unable to defend his crown 12 months ago......

Nicky Henderson is hoping Sprinter Sacre can succeed where stablemate Finian's Rainbow failed in Tuesday's Arkle Chase at Cheltenham......

Timeform look back at the highlights from the weekend, which included the Imperial Cup at Sandown and Super Saturday at Meydan......

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Nicky Henderson: Cheltenham hill to Long Run's advantage in Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 29 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Long Run will be defending his Gold Cup crown this year.

"I know Long Run's win (Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury) didn't please everyone, but it certainly pleased us..."

Nicky Henderson talks through the chances of stable stars Long Run, Burton Port, Binocular and Sprinter Sacre at the Cheltenham Festival...

Long Run (7 b.g Timeform Rating 182)
Burton Port (8 b.g Timeform Rating 166)

Henderson said: "I know Long Run's win (Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury) didn't please everyone, but it certainly pleased us. It was a pity we had to run two but it was the best place to start off Burton Port after his tendon injury.

"Some here even fancied Burton Port (who received 10 lb) to win that day because he's definitely a better horse than he was two years ago. Long Run jumped nicely and we think the Cheltenham hill will be to our advantage. Burton Port has an excellent record over fences and has yet to finish out of the first two. My worry with him is the bounce factor."

Although it was much better last time, Long Run's jumping is possibly his biggest hindrance for further Gold Cup glory and he currently trades at [3.35] for the March 16 showpiece. Burton Port, who looks well handicapped for the Grand National ([20.0]) on April 14 having been allotted a BHA rating of 158 before his Newbury return, finds himself behind his stablemate and Kauto Star only in the Gold Cup betting at [11.0].

Binocular (8 b.g Timeform Rating 167)

Henderson said: "What happened at Wincanton (beat Celestial Halo six lengths) was tremendous and it has put a spring back in our step. AP had mentioned his wind after the Christmas Hurdle and it's probably no coincidence Wincanton was his first run back from a soft palate procedure to correct that."

That strong-travelling win last time was much more taking that his two previous 'prep' runs for the Champion (forced to miss last year's renewal on the BHA's advice having been treated for an allergy leading up to the race) and he ran to the same Timeform rating as when taking the big one in 2010. He looks the leading home-trained hope and his current odds of [7.4] for the Champion Hurdle on March 13 feature look fair, whilst he can also be backed in the "To Be Placed" or "Without Hurricane Fly" markets.

Sprinter Sacre (6 b.g Timeform Rating 160p)

Henderson said: "I don't usually pay much attention to race times, but all three runs have been exceptionally quick yet he has finished hard on the bridle every time. After the Supreme last year, AP said he was suspicious of his wind and we therefore had that rectified.

"I know people say he's a flat track horse who won't come up the hill, but I don't subscribe to that. I read that Cue Card is going to make the running, which is fine."

A 152p rated hurdler, Sprinter Sacre has improved on each of his starts over fences so far and was especially exuberant when beating returning stable-companion French Opera by an eased-down six lengths in the Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury last time. While he remains 1 lb behind Al Ferof in the current Timeform standings for the Arkle Chase, he is deemed open to more progression that that rival and it's hard to argue that he doesn't deserve his place as [2.38] market principal. Sprinter Sacre can also be teamed up with other Festival favourites in the "Favourites Acca" market.

Simonsig, Darlan and Bobs Worth are a trio of novices that are heading to the Festival with excellent chances of success......

Philip Hobbs has admitted defeat in the race to get Fingal Bay to the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival......

Nicky Henderson is predicting an ultra-close fifth clash between Long Run and Kauto Star in the Gold Cup......

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Totesport Trophy Betting: Soldatino to triumph for in-form Henderson

Tipping / Stuart Jones / 08 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Triumph hurdle winner Soldatino looks the pick of Nicky Henderson's trio in this Saturday's totesport Trophy

"Salden Licht was better than ever on the Flat during the autumn and mirrored that progress when returned to hurdles at Exeter on New Year’s Day".

Just two favourites (the well-backed Essex in 2005 and Landing Light in 2001) have obliged in the last ten renewals of the totesport Trophy, perhaps not unsurprisingly given the typically high quality field and competitive nature of what is the richest handicap hurdle of the season, but Timeform's Stuart Jones reckons it's not worth looking far beyond the market leaders this year...

Nicky Henderson has an excellent record in the race and has been responsible for four of the last eleven winners, most recently when Geos took the 2004 renewal. Henderson's gung-ho approach towards the contest is nothing new and the Seven Barrows trainer has three entries at this stage.

The ex-French gelding Solix is the most prominent in the market of Henderson's trio, despite being a tricky one to assess. Capable of smart form over hurdles for Guy Cherel in France, Solix beat Bel la Vie in a Grade 3 hurdle at Auteuil prior to finishing a creditable fourth behind that rival in a Grade 1 contest there in November. He's undoubtedly an interesting recruit for connections, but he hardly looks thrown in from a mark of 152 and better value looks to be had elsewhere.

The most interesting of Henderson's entries, from a betting point of view, anyway, is last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Soldatino. Unbeaten on all three starts as a juvenile, he made an eye-catching return from ten months off when sixth to Tiger O'Toole at Ascot last month, travelling powerfully until the lack of a recent outing told. Soldatino remains open to improvement and appeals as the one most likely to add to his trainer's excellent record here.

Alan King is a trainer very much back on the up and also looks set to go into the race mob-handed, with Walkon, Iolith, Salden Licht and The Betchworth Kid all amongst the five-day entries.

Walkon was a very smart juvenile in 2008/9, runner-up to Zaynar in the Triumph before winning a Grade 1 Hurdle at Aintree, and showed all that old ability was intact when runner-up in that race won by Tiger O'Toole at Ascot. However, he's always shaped as if he'd be ideally suited by two and a half miles, and he may well prove vulnerable to speedier types back at the minimum trip.

Salden Licht is the least exposed of King's quartet and his profile is not all that dissimilar to Manyriverstocross, who finished third in the corresponding event for the same yard last season. Salden Licht was better than ever on the Flat during the autumn and mirrored that progress when returned to hurdles at Exeter on New Year's Day, always travelling powerfully and just nudged out to beat Sir Kezbaah by a length and a half. That form has held up well subsequently and Salden Licht makes more appeal than his shorter-priced stablemate.

Get Me Out of Here took his unbeaten run over hurdles to five when beating Ronaldo des Mottes in the corresponding event last term and met with defeat for the first time when beaten narrowly by Menorah in the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham next time. Jonjo O'Neill's representative hasn't been in quite the same form on either start this season, however, pulling too hard when sixth to that same rival in the Greatwood last time, and others look more solid betting propositions for the time being.

Bothy progressed well in novice company last term, winning his first three starts over hurdles, and he took a big step forward on his return when just touched off by Menorah in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham (receiving 24 lb). Bothy's latest run in a bumper is probably best ignored, and he's one of the likelier candidates, especially if the ground came up testing.

John Quinn's Recession Proof won two of his three starts in novice company, finding only the very useful Dunraven Strom too strong at Ascot. He also created a good impression when successful in a jumpers' bumper at Southwell in late-December, but it's a big ask to expect him to make an impact at this level from an opening mark of 134.

Final Approach led home a 1-2 for Willie Mullins in this year's renewal of the valuable MCR Hurdle (formerly the Pierse) at Leopardstown. Owned by the managing director of the race sponsor, the well-backed Final Approach quickened up smartly to beat Call the Police by two lengths. Although still unexposed over timber, Final Approach will need to improve plenty if he's to defy a mark 16 lb higher.

Sweet My Lord is another lightly-raced raced performer representing the Mullins yard, and after just three completed outings (fell on two of first three outings) he surely remains open to further improvement. His jumping shouldn't be a problem - if anything it looked an asset when winning easily at Limerick last time - and he certainly deserves to take his chance at this level.

Recommendations

Back Soldatino @ [13.0] and Salden Licht @ [10.0] to win the totesport Trophy at Newbury.

Just two favourites (the well-backed Essex in 2005 and Landing Light in 2001) have obliged in the last ten renewals of the totesport Trophy, perhaps not unsurprisingly given the typically high quality field and competitive nature of what is the richest handicap hurdle of the season, but Timeform's Stuart Jones reckons it's not worth looking far beyond the market leaders this year......

Timeform handicapper Gregg Taylor analyses the performances of three winners from Saturday who are all set to be seen next on the opening day of the Festival......

Today's Follow The Money movers come from Sedgefield and Southwell......

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