American has conditions in his favour and is fancied to rediscover the winning touch in the Betbright Trial Cotswold Chase (2.25) on an interesting card at Cheltenham today.
He won all three starts over fences last season, in fine style on soft ground on each occasion. As a result he was a 5-1 second-favourite on his reappearance in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, but he flopped there, never jumping with his usual fluency before being pulled up in the home straight.
There are several possible excuses for that, though — he was reported to have suffered a minor injury during the race, also losing a shoe, while the ground was perhaps faster than ideal and it was the first time that he had tackled a big field.
Whatever the cause, he has been given plenty of time to get over that effort and remains unexposed. His earlier promise should not be forgotten and he can improve past some more established chasers here.
Bristol De Mai is a warm favourite despite a below-par run in the King George last time. He too will appreciate this return to a softer surface and has to be respected, although this race has been a poor one for market leaders, with none winning this century.
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Lizzie Kelly continues to enjoy plenty of success in the saddle and can claim another notable victory on board Coo Star Sivola in the Crest Nicholson Handicap Chase (1.50). He showed smart form over hurdles last season, including a good fourth at the Festival, and is able to race off a 3lb lower mark on his handicap debut in this sphere.
Pacific De Baune makes plenty of appeal in the Ballymore Classic Novices’ Hurdle (3.00). This French import made a most impressive debut in Britain when winning a competitive race at Newbury by seven lengths and he can prove too good here.
The galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle (3.35) can go to The Worlds End. He won four of his final five starts last season, the only defeat in that sequence coming when falling two out — when holding every chance — in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival, and looked in need of the run on his reappearance at Haydock when fourth in the grade one Long Walk Hurdle. He still has plenty of potential and looks good value at the 6-1 generally on offer.
