1888 Restaurant Handicap Hurdle

Velvet Maker hasn't been seen since the Cheltenham Festival and is intriguing now switched back to hurdling but fitness must be of some concern. Any market support for French import Jeannot De Nonant would be worth noting while Grand Partner should find this task more to his liking than last month's very hot handicap. The mare Canelie is the chosen mount for JP McManus' retained rider and has run with credit all three hurdles starts ahead of this handicap debut but LAGOSTOVEGAS went mightily close over this trip at Naas last month and the winner has since scored again off his new mark. He is game and can take this prize having run well over C&D previously. Dandridge is well treated for this return to hurdles, but the suspicion lingers that he's better over a fence. 1. Lagostovegas 2. Canelie 3. Velvet Maker