Amare Alato-Gutsy,tough performer who should guarantee that there is a decent pace.He won a decent novice hurdle with a penalty over course and distance on St.Stephens day beating West Wizard's conqueror Sgt.Reckless.Beaten off 153 on his handicap debut though which shows his limitations and likely to find a couple of his opponents too hot to handle to here. Nick Williams in decent form,24% S/R from his last 50 runners
Dubai Prince-Former favourite for the Derby when trained with Dermot Weld. He has took to hurdles reasonably well,wiining a novice at leicster and then travelling well(traded at 1.55) but not getting home behind Triumph hurdle contender Pear Castle at Doncaster.Very little chance of getting home on soft ground and can confidently rule out. John Ferguson as you would expect has a high recent S/R of 20% from last 50 runners
Cup Final-Cost €58,000 Bred to be decent by Presenting and out of Asian Maze and certainly looks more than capable.He ran respectably at Wincanton on his debut in a decent bumper and ran more than respectably on his hurdling debut (traded at 1,17 IR) but didn't have an answer to Irving's finishing kick.Open to a lot of improvement though and rates a danger.
First Mohican-Very decent on the flat (rated 108) as you would expect travelled easily into the race on his hurdles debut but it was only against moderate opposition.I wasn't that impressed with his hurdling and this is a giant leap up in class. Maybe I am being a bit harsh on him and perhaps he idled in front but I can't see him winning this tomorrow.Tempted to place lay. Alan King has a 15% S/R from last 50 runners.
Irving-I have been seriously impressed with him,bolted up in a grade 2 (giving 3lbs and a 6 lenth beating to subsequent Betfair Hurdle winner splash of ginge).Splash of ginge obviously improved in that (off 134) but I think a rating of 146 for Irving is appropriate.He can be a bit keen so it's a positive that there looks to be guaranteed pace in the race. He probably wont be at fever pitch tomorrow with Nicholls aiming him for the Supreme but should have too much for these. Paul Nicholls has a S/R of 24% from last 50 runners.
Verdict Irving at 11/10 looks massively overpriced, but Cup final is a live danger and have dutched them at 4/5.