Talking of the doughty Durham stayer Inglis
Drever has had a cracking year with impressive wins in
the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and the Cleeve Hurdle at
Cheltenham at the end of January and will go into this race
with the best form on offer. It’s a foolish move to write
this horse off before and during a race as he has a
remarkable knack of finding that little bit extra just when
you think he’s cooked. He’s the one to beat that’s for sure!
After his Brit Insurance Hurdle win last year Wichita
Lineman looked all set up to be the new king of the
staying division but his form this year has been a little
disappointing. He was chinned by Hardy Eustace in the Ascot
Hurdle in November and then brought in the New Year with an
8 length defeat at the hooves of Blazing Bailey before an
average performance at Haydock. It’s unlikely that the Jonjo
O’Neill horse has the guts to take on and beat Inglis Drever
and oblige at odds of 10/1.
Blazing Bailey doesn’t do much wrong
and this bonny little horse will go to the tapes with a
decent chance of grabbing the glory. His 8 length win over
Wichita Lineman stands out as his best form and puts him in
with a good chance but when he’s squared up to the defending
champion he’s been found wanting losing by 25 lengths and 5
lengths to Inglis Drever. Is he capable of turning
the form round? If you think so grab the 7/1 available now.
There are few horses
in training with a better Cheltenham Festival record than
Hardy Eustace (14/1 with Bet 365) and the Dessie
Hughes charge should turn up on the Thursday looking for a
fourth Festival win. Age may have caught up with him in the
2 mile division but this warrior should be capable of a big
run in the World Hurdle. Will he stay? Well his second in
the 3 mile 1 furlong Long Walk Hurdle in December indicated
that he could. Who would begrudge this amazing 11 year-old
another day in the sun come March?
World Hurdle Other Contenders
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Kasbah Bliss advertised his claims well in the
Rendelsham Hurdle in February with a fine four length win
over his rivals. He is available at odds of 10/1.
Black Jack Ketchum, once the darling of most racing
fans, has been exposed as an unremarkable horse and will
need to improve loads if he’s to win here at 33/1 with
Ladbrokes.
One of the contenders for this year’s Order Of Merit is
Lough Derg and his victory in the Long Walk Hurdle (a
key trail) means he’s one not to write off although Inglis
Drever put him in his place in the Cleeve a month later.
He’s available at 33/1 with Totesport.
