TimeformBlog

[b]Burton Port[/b] improved since returning from a long absence, chasing home Long Run at Newbury prior to good fourth in Gold Cup. Proven round this circuit and likely to be in the firing line once more. [b]Carruthers[/b] chased home What A Friend in this race 2 years ago and took advantage of a reduced mark when landing the Hennessy, but subsequent efforts less inspiring and tried in blinkers now. [b]Diamond Harry[/b] bolted up in last season's Hennessy at Newbury, but has hit the skids this term, failing to see things out first 2 comeback starts and ran a shocker in the Gold Cup last month. [b]Follow The Plan[/b] was a fortunate winner of the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown last season. Run well to make frame in a couple of graded races since, and cheekpieces need to bring ...

Binocular (h168) took his tally to two from three for the season but he was far less convincing than he had been in the Christmas Hurdle as he defeated three rivals in the two-mile listed contest at Sandown. The race turned into a virtual exercise gallop for the Champion Hurdler, left with only his stablemate Ruthenoise (h122) to beat from two out, and he needed only to record a bare figure some two stones below his best (139++). He's certainly best judged on the form of his Kempton success last month and will no doubt be fully tuned up to be back to that level at Cheltenham, though whether you would be rushing out to back him at 4.9 for such a wide-open renewal of the Champion after this display is another matter. In contrast, his stable-companion Oscar Whisky (h163p) was impressive...