Un Temps Pour Tout, who was bought for £450,000 just over a year ago, can justify his lofty price tag by landing the Ladbrokes World Hurdle (3.20) at Cheltenham today.
The selection was brought to Britain after finishing third to Ptit Zig in a valuable race at Auteuil 16 months ago and has already shown plenty of ability for his new connections.
After finding two miles an insufficient test when second on his British debut at Haydock, he then showed what he is capable of when thrashing Cole Harden by 16 lengths over half a mile farther at Ascot.
Un Temps Pour Tout was sent to Punchestown in May, where he was asked to carry top weight in a £100,000 handicap. He could finish only third against more battle-hardened rivals there, but the way that he stayed on in the closing stages suggested that this longer trip would see him in an even better light.
David Pipe did not bring him back to the track until January, when he was sent off a heavily backed favourite to win the Cleeve Hurdle here. He travelled like the best horse that day, but appeared to just need the run after a nine-month break as he faded into third behind Saphir Du Rheu.
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That should have put him spot-on, while as a lightly raced six-year-old he remains open to plenty of improvement. Fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time, Un Temps Pour Tout rates good value at the 11-1 offered by William Hill.
Don Cossack looks the one to beat in the Ryanair Chase (2.40). The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding fell on his only previous run at the Festival, in the RSA Chase a year ago, but is usually a sound jumper.
His record over shorter than three miles over fences is impressive with six wins and two seconds from eight starts. Twice a winner at the highest level, Don Cossack comes here at the top of his game.
Vautour can provide Willie Mullins with yet another winner in the JLT Novices’ Chase (1.30). He thrashed Josses Hill by six lengths in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle a year ago and has taken well to fences, his one defeat coming when all but falling at Leopardstown in December. Fresh from a confidence-boosting success back at the same track last time, he has obvious claims.
Regal Encore is fancied to provide AP McCoy with a winner in the Pertemps Network Final (2.05). Runner-up in the Champion Bumper two years ago, he has improved as he has stepped up in distance over hurdles and was impressive on his first try at this trip at Exeter last time.
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He has been raised 10lb for that success, but has plenty of potential now that his stamina is being tested and rates a good bet at the 10-1 generally on offer.
Rajdhani Express, a winner here two years ago and third in the Ryanair Chase last term, shaped as though returning to form at Kempton and can take the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (4.00).
The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (4.40) can go to Grand Vision. He, too, has a Festival pedigree, having finished third in an Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, and has shown promise in just four starts over fences. This step up in trip should suit and the fitting of cheekpieces is likely to sharpen him up.