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CHELTENHAM: 1.10 Ace Of Spades, 1.45 Peaky Boy, 2.20 Third Time Lucki, 2.55 Does He Know, 3.30 BURDETT ROAD (NAP), 4.00 Count Of Vendome.
FONTWELL: 12.20 Authentic Legacy, 12.55 West Orchard, 1.30 Hecouldbetheone, 2.05 Roll With It, 2.40 Fine Point, 3.15 Sweet Caryline, 3.50 Whynotnowroy.
NAVAN: 11.35 Beyond Your Dreams, 12.10 Holly Brook, 12.45 Someone’s Wish, 1.20 Fleur In The Park, 1.55 Anna Bunina, 2.30 American Mike, 3.05 Slade Steel, 3.40 Meitheal.
DOUBLE: Burdett Road and Does He Know.
Burdett Road has all the attributes to win the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday.
Trained by James Owen, the dual-purpose performer ended the latest Flat season in better form than ever and the current dry spell will bring his undoubted speed to the fore.
He looked a real player for last season’s Triumph Hurdle until put in his place by Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino in January, but in his defence there was next to no disgrace in that.
Unfortunately, he was forced to miss the spring festivals, but by mid-summer he was back in action and ran a fair race in the Ebor at York.
He excelled on soft ground in Listed company at Newmarket in September, bolting up by more than eight lengths, and there was little sign of the tearaway nature which had been prevalent in his early days.
Connections were then bold and took him to Ascot on Champions Day, and while he was ultimately well beaten by Kyprios, he missed the break and was always on the back foot.
This does not look as strong as in previous years and he should take some stopping.
Third Time Lucki is another who will bounce off the good ground on his first start for Fergal O’Brien in the Three Counties Christmas Handicap Chase.
He reached a decent level for Dan Skelton, winning two Grade Twos as a novice over fences, but as soon as the ground had any cut, he was not the same horse.
Unfortunately, an injury has kept him off the track since April 2023, but he has won first time out twice in the past.
One thing it is handy to do on fast ground is race prominently and Kim Bailey’s Does He Know likes to force the pace.
He also has the aid of a recent run ahead of the Holland Cooper Handicap Chase, which makes him a nice proposition.
Another thing in favour of the nine-year-old is this is his second run after a wind operation and for some reason that always seems to be the best time to catch such types.
A decent fourth on his comeback behind the impressive Senior Chief, he has been dropped 2lb by the handicapper.
Nicky Henderson had another option for the mallardjewellers.com Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, so the fact he starts Peaky Boy out over fences makes him the one to be with.
A sound surface will not bother him and he looked a useful prospect when winning a novice hurdle here in April, which followed up a maiden win at the meeting on New Year’s Day.
The concluding Junior Jumpers Open National Hunt Flat Race can go the way of Count Of Vendome to give Donald McCain a notable Cheltenham winner in the colours of his former stable star Peddlers Cross.
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