Matchbook VIP Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 3m 39.5s

Old Guard¹⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153| CD

3/1

Winner of this race last year (beat San Benedeto) and later won at Grade 2 level under optimum conditions at Fontwell. Gives weight away to the entire field here and that makes life more difficult especially as he's not had a prep race this year.

Form: 154174-

High Secret^b1¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| D

33/1

Formerly with Paul Nicholls he struck at the third time of asking for this yard when making all at Market Rasen (2m4f) in July. Disappointing subsequently he bounced back to his best last time (reverted to front running); blinkers on first-time.

Form: 531772

San Benedeto^p,t¹⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145| D

7/1

Runner-up in this last year he looked to use this race as preparation for his chasing season (won six races as a novice) although he failed to win last season (ran some good races). Interesting back over hurdles having run well here before.

Form: 24542-3

Unison¹⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 145| D

25/1

Has shown steady progress through his career and showed his best form when taking back-to-back Taunton handicaps in February. Climbed to a mark that looks tough now and has enough to find in this company returning from a break.

Form: 5311P-3

Smaoineamh Alainn^h²¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 135| D

16/1

Could hardly have started her career for this yard better winning her first three starts culminating in a Cheltenham handicap victory in December. Kept fresh for the County Hurdle after that (pulled up); still unexposed though for this test.

Form: 421/11P-

Verdana Blue²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143| D

8/13

Showed how useful she can be (fringe Champion Hurdle contender at one point) when taking a good Ascot handicap hurdle in November. Progress stalled in her last two hurdles runs but bounced back on the AW last time; favoured at the weights.

Form: 3/51300-

Forecasts

Verdana Blue (8/13), Old Guard (3/1), San Benedeto (7/1), Smaoineamh Alainn (16/1), Unison (25/1), High Secret (33/1)

Last year’s one-two in Old Guard and San Benedeto are back for another crack at this race although the former has to give weight away to the entire field without a prep run this year and that makes his task a harder one this time around. The latter gives trainer Paul Nicholls a strong hand although a former inmate of that stable – High Secret – would be dangerous if allowed a soft lead. On the ground this looks as though it could be a speed test and that will suit VERDANA BLUE who will be fighting fit after her recent AW win at Chelmsford.