The finale on Cheltenham Trials day may not be the highlight on the card, but by no means does it look any less competitive. It represents an intriguing little contest with several unexposed entrants sent handicap hurdling for the first time.
Solstice Star goes in search of a five-timer with a win over course and distance last time out to his credit. His front-running style will be firmly tested on this ground having been risen another 9lbs. He also races 5lbs out-of-the-handicap with Cheltenian dropping in off a mark of 153, so it’s a big ask for him to add to the sequence.
Cheltenian fell well short of the likes of Old Guard and Hargam here on his seasonal debut and should be more competitive in this company. He has got a load to carry and remains vulnerable to the newcomers so is passed over despite there being improvement expected from his first run.
Clean Sheet, Maestro Royal, and Champagne At Tara are all open to progress and are considered. But one that sticks out is Paul Nicholl’s four-year-old French import Frodon. He races for the first time in the UK for a top yard who has done well with its imports in the past.
He was highly tried at Listed and Grd2 hurdle level in France and is of great interest carrying 10st. His CV has a hurdle success on sft-hvy going at around this trip so conditions look suitable, and is officially rated 138 which is higher than Clean Sheet, so he will receive 8lbs from the jolly owing to his age.
Frodon has a decent amount of experience racing over obstacles in comparison to several of the other horses who possess a similar profile, and remains completely unexposed. To further increase his appeal is the fact his connections still have him entered in the JCB Triumph hurdle, so they clearly think highly of him.
He last raced 87 days ago and has seen plenty of action this campaign in comparison to Henderson’s two entrants – who may just need the run – and with Sam Twiston-Davies on-board to help him along on his first outing, he is worth getting on at a best priced 7/1.
1pt win Frodon @7/1 (betfair sportsbook), 16:10 Cheltenham
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