Stod180

The Nicky Henderson-trained Kientzheim should be up for winning this Class 3 Novices' Hurdle if she is to be considered for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham. The French-bred dual bumper winner impressed with her winning debut for new connections at Kempton 44 days ago in a race that hasn’t worked out too badly, and reportedly she has improved a fair bit since then. She has schooled and worked very well, and the ground will be perfect.

At first glance, Whistleinthedark's form figures don't inspire much confidence. However, in my opinion, trainer Laura Morgan has been running the 10-year-old over the wrong trip, or if wanting to get the handicap mark down, the right trip. His mark went up to 144 after winning four in a row back in 2023, all over trips around the 2 1/2m mark. He has been campaigned since then largely over 3m without troubling the judges. Back down in trip and off a mark of 122, if retaining any ability, he could surprise at a nice price.