The decision by Willie Mullins to switch Sir Gerhard from yesterday's Supreme Novice Hurdle to the longer Ballymore Novice Hurdle today (1.30) should pay off big time.
Champion Bumper winner 12 months ago, he looks a cut above his eight rivals after winning his two hurdles at Leopardstown, including a Grade One and connections left it until the last minute before deciding on his target.
This is the easier of the two and trip will not be a bother, all of which makes him a solid banker, albeit at odds-on, to give Mullins his fifth success in the race.
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Sir Gerhard is joined by two stablemates in Haxo and Whatdeawant, while Gordon Elliott relies upon Three Stripe Life, who was a six-length runner-up to Sir Gerhard in early February.
Journey With Me puts his unbeaten record on the line for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore who combined to win last year with Bob Olinger, a strong fancy for tomorrow's Turner Golden Miller Chase and can follow Sir Gerhard home.
Paul Nicholls does not have the team strength of past year, but Bravemansgame can put the trainer on the winner's list in the Brown Advisory Novice Chase (2.10).
With neither Bob Olinger nor Galopin des Champs to worry about, there's no reason why the selection can't repeat his victory over Ahoy Senor.
Shishkin is another hot-pot expected to oblige. He renews his clash with the Mullins contender Energumene in the Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30), the pair having endured a great tussle in Ascot's Clarence House Chase.
Nicky Henderson thinks the world of Shishkin and believes he can follow in the hoof prints of Finian's Rainbow, Sprinter Sacre and Altior.
Different course and different day, so Energumene who will make the running, could well reverse the form while Chacun Pour Soi gives Mullins a double hand. However, Chacun has travel and track issues to overcome but is sure, in view of his home successes, to attract punters at 5/1.
Shishkin maybe the most vulnerable of the top fancies but remains the likely winner.
Double Grand National winner Tiger Roll ends his career in the Cross-Country Chase (4.10) which he won easily last year.
Trainer Gordon Elliott considers him past the post but he's not the horse of old and is eminently opposable with Elliot's other contender Delta Work.
The latter has been contesting Grade One events, the last when sixth behind Conflated in the Irish Gold Cup. His class can make the difference.
A very trappy Coral Cup (2.50) is best avoided from a betting point of view but those who want an interest, might find one of JP McManus's entries Camprond, handled by Philip Hobbs, as good as any.
End the day with Facile Vega, one of the best bumper horses Mullins has ever handled. A well-bred type, he has been very impressive in his two wins to date. It will take something real special to prevent him landing a race the trainer loves to harvest.
WEDNESDAY'S SELECTIONS
- 1.30: Sir Gerhard
- 2.10: Bravemansgame
- 2.50: Camprond
- 3.30: Shishkin
- 4.10: Delta Work
- 4.50: Andy Dufresne
- 5.30: Facile Vega
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