Netbet Casino National Spirit Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 50.2s

If The Cap Fits⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 155| D

13/8

Impressive 6-9 record although he had to work hard to beat Old Guard at Ascot when the uneven tempo didn't help. Not disgraced in the Christmas Hurdle and Lil Rockerfeller should provide the gallop he wants.

Form: 111-213

Lil Rockerfeller^b²⁹

8/1

Took this in 2016 and was runner-up to Old Guard 12 months ago. Back over hurdles having lost his way over fences and after a wind op. Should ensure a decent pace but others look more likely at the weights.

Form: 111U35

Old Guard^p⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154| CD

7/1

Consistent hurdler who hard to place just being short of the highest class. Got the better of Lil Rockerfeller to take this 12 months ago and will appreciate similar conditions, but this is a stronger renewal.

Form: 223263

Ballymoy²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 152| BF| D

3/1

New mark and trip found him out last time but hard to knock a 6-9 record. An official rating of 152 suggests he can make his presence felt here.

Form: 1-14117

Vision Des Flos^t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 150

7/2

Smart hurdler with plenty of options at Cheltenham. Disappointing he is no better than 1-12 over hurdles and a lack of natural speed could be his undoing again.

Form: U23523

Vive Le Roi⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Bannister| T: A W Carroll| OR: 137| D

66/1

Has enjoyed a fruitful campaign but the handicapper has exacted his revenge and he looks out of his depth against these 150+ rated rivals.

Form: 21121P

Non-Runners

Sussex Ranger⁸

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Forecasts

If The Cap Fits (13/8), Ballymoy (3/1), Vision Des Flos (7/2), Old Guard (7/1), Lil Rockerfeller (8/1), Sussex Ranger (25/1), Vive Le Roi (66/1)

Vision Des Flos is building a frustating profile but this trip and the promise of a good gallop may be what he needs. IF THE CAP FITS has more natural speed and his Christmas Hurdle third and an Ascot victory over Old Guard make him the one to beat. Ballymoy was beaten by a combination of trip and a new mark last time but he should be more competitive here, whilst Lil Rockerfeller has a good recod in this race and will give his usual honest account.