DIVIN BERE could be very well-handicapped on the basis of his neck-victory over the current Triump Hurdle favourite, Masterblueyes. It’s hard to ignore that form, which was his first for the Nicky Henderson yard. He was an experienced hurdler in France and is perhaps more battle-hardened than his UK excursions would suggest.
The Fred Winter has been the target ever since he landed his maiden victory, and despite the fact he is racing off an uncharacteristically high mark of 139 – as compared to previous winners of this race – you have to feel he can progress further from here having just had the one outing.
There are several rivals in the race that (on paper) need to find plenty more at the weights looking at collateral form-lines with Divin Bere, and at 13/2 he is not the worst value option with top form already in the book.
The other one which makes plenty of appeal is DREAMCATCHING, who carries the typical profile for a Fred Winter winner. Paul Nicholls saddles his French recruit and after being somewhat disappointing on his first run behind Charli Parcs – the horse ran freely and was deemed to be unhealthy when he arrived at the yard from France – he travelled like a dream and pulled away nicely on his second start at Wincanton to win by a mile on-the-bridle.
He clearly has plenty of potential, and a mark of 131 for this could be extremely generous. Stan Sheppard rode him to victory that day and he will take another handy 5lbs off him today as well, meaning he is effectively racing off a a mark of 126 at the bottom of the weights.
His yard knows what it takes to saddle a winner in this event, and he has clearly been preserved for this. Dreamcatching looks a cracking bet at 12/1 to get the Nicholls yard off-and-running for The Festival.
1pt win Divin Bere @13/2, 16:50 Wednesday, Cheltenham (Coral)
0.75pts each-way Dreamcatching @12/1, 16:50 Wednesday, Cheltenham (1/4 odds, first five places with Betbright)