THE GRADE ONE Tolworth Hurdle over two miles and 110 yards at Sandown has a file of seven runners and it’s a bit of a puzzle to say the least.
At the time of writing the bookies go 7/2 each of three and only three and a half points covering six of the runners. The heavy going is a complete unknown for Court Minstrel.
Third last time out at Cheltenham to Dodging Bullets, the winner and runner up (River Maigue) have gone on to frank the form over Christmas. If he can handle the going expect a big run.
Golden Hoof looks to be Nicky Henderson’s second string going by jockey bookings while Le Reve looks outclassed. Melodic Rendezvous beat one of his opponents here, Royal Boy, by three parts of a length at Cheltenham on heavy ground last month.
A good class bumper performer last season, he was runner up to Champagne Fever at Punchestown. The ground won’t be a problem and he has big claims here. Pendra is beautifully bred by Old Vic out of that great race mare Mariah Rollins.
He had just the three starts winning a bumper and a maiden and a novice hurdle. This is a big step up in class and it will be interesting to see how he runs. Poet. who was standing as a stallion, has had that career cut short and endured a more severe cut leaving him now a gelding.
He was a smart horse on the flat and loves the mud. Now an eight-year-old, it remains to be seen if there is much improvement in him. He impressed enough people on his hurdles debut last month jumping beautifully and travelling well to win a Maiden Hurdle.
Preference
This is a step up from that but he has to be respected. Royal Boy was bought for €150,000 after winning his point last March. He wasn’t seen again until finishing second to Melodic Rendezvous last month.
Admittedly the latter had the benefit of a run but it was a slow run race and I expect there won’t be much pace tomorrow either. The Henderson team have won the last two runnings of the race. However I think Royal Boy will be better over a longer trip and my slight preference is for Melodic Rendezvous.
Eight go in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow and here preference is for the Paul Nicholls trained Caid Du Berlais.
Having his first run in England his trainer thinks highly of him and mother form of his last run at Auteuil, where he was second, has been franked by the third horse who has won a Grade 1 and Grade 2 since.
The main danger probably comes from Ruacana and Swynmor. Both won their last races but are stepping up here and while they were highly rated on the flat, I think Caid Du Berlais will be too good for them.
