Huntingdon - Sunday 1st March 2026
THEWOODCORNER's Chepstow victory has worked out well, with both the runner-up and the fourth coming out and winning since. Nicky Henderson's string is in excellent form at present and he is expected to have more to offer, despite a 7lb penalty. Chico Magnifica changed hands after scoring on his handicap debut on the Flat at Hamilton in September and he enters the reckoning along with Monark Wood, who went close at Fontainebleau in November.
ZAMEK has displayed a useful level of form in three starts over timber and the combination of a recent wind operation along with a tongue-tie might see a change in fortune for Olly Murphy's gelding. Caspari was too green to do himself justice on his racecourse debut at Ludlow, but the half-brother to Luccia is entitled to take a big step forward. Others to note are Mr Jukebox and Maskarvel.
ICARE GRANDCHAMP has improved with each start this season, with Gary & Josh Moore's gelding winning on his most recent outing at Plumpton. He remains capable of further improvement and gets the vote at the main expense of Mahons Glory, who is likely using this as his prep towards a return to Aintree after two fine efforts over the National fences earlier in the campaign. A wind operation might aid the cause of Lounge Lizard in his bid to land a hat-trick in this contest.
Having capitalised on a declining mark at Plumpton, a 3lb rise shouldn't prevent Felton Bellevue from making another bold bid. However, DIAMAND DE VINDECY finished second on his chase bow at Catterick and any natural improvement could make him tough to beat. Cloudy Wednesday secured a fifth victory over fences at Market Rasen when last in action and is the pick of the remainder.
CASTANEA BREEZE was unlucky to bump into a subsequent winner at Fakenham and this could prove a suitable opportunity for him to regain the winning thread. A 1lb nudge up the ratings is unlikely to halt the six-year-old's progress and he's taken to repel Cuillin Ridge. Henry Daly's charge improved for a step up in trip when runner-up over 3m at Wetherby and another good account is forecast. Handicap debutant Connies Hill is worth a second look in the betting.
Although no match for the winner, Snapius returned to form with a solid second at Sedgefield. The seven-year-old cannot be dismissed off an unchanged mark, but there is a sneaking suspicion that we've yet to see the best of KALLY DES BRUYERES. He caught the eye when a staying-on fourth at Uttoxeter and subsequently found himself too far back at Market Rasen. A wind procedure could unlock significant potential and he gets the vote. Moyganny Phil is a feasible alternative.
Milpat made the most of his weight-for-age allowance when scoring with something in hand over C&D and he's likely to be involved once more. However, a 7lb penalty does demand more and HIDDEN MOUNTAIN is fancied to make it second-time lucky. Now under the tutelage of Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls, the five-year-old found only a subsequent Grade 2 winner too strong at Ayr, which suggests he might take some stopping. The market may guide on newcomers Bite The Bullet and The Hostage.
This can be dominated by the pair of previous UK hurdle winners in GALLIVANTED and Thewoodcorner. The latter benefitted from a drop in class when beating a next time out winner last time and likely has more to offer for his top stable but it is the former who is marginally preferred. He was progressive on the Flat and the form of his latest hurdles win took a boost in the Adonis last week. This sharp track will suit his positive run style and he could be tough to peg back despite his penalty. Chico Magnifica won 50% of his starts on the level and has joined a top jumps yard. He could be a useful hurdles recruit and is worth following in the betting.
The consistent ZAMEK is fancied to get off the mark on his first start following a wind op. He sets a clear standard on ratings and the form of his penultimate run has been franked at Grade 2 level. He can once again defeat Maskarvel who is likely better than he showed behind the selection on his hurdle debut. That was his first start for his stable following a break and he brings in some strong Irish bumper form. Caspari was too green to show much anything on his hurdling debut but is likely capable of much better for his top stable so isn't ruled out either.
ICARE GRANDCHAMP can take advantage of bottom weight here. He was a cosy winner last time so a 4lb rise looks lenient. All of his best previous form has come over this longer trip so that combined with the favourable drying ground and sharp track makes him very appealing. The consistent Mahons Glory looks the obvious danger with his latest effort worth marking up as he went off too quickly having been taken on up front. He has the potential for an easy lead at this sharp track and will be tough to peg back if that is the case. Jumping errors have crept in for Westerninthepark this term but he was travelling well when coming down last time and the handicapper continues to relent so he isn't ruled out either.
DIAMAND DE VINDECY flew home from an unpromising position after a series of errors on his chase debut and could be tough to beat if building on that. Though his stamina is not assured for this longer trip the way he finished last time suggested it would suit as do his victories on the Flat over 2m. Racing off the same mark as last time he can defeat The Blueberry One who looks generously treated on his hurdles form and ran much better than his finishing figures suggest last time having gone off too quickly. Cloudy Wednesday was in terrific form when last seen in the summer and can also make his presence felt if fit and ready to go.
An extremely open race where CASTANEA BREEZE is a narrow preference. The form of his sole win to date has been boosted as has his latest runner up effort off 1lb higher. The longer trip will suit and he can defeat a pair of handicap debutants in Connies Hill and Pop's Folly. Both of that pair are likely to improve for this significant step up in trip with the mare feared most given her point victory over this trip.
MOYGANNY PHIL can defy top weight. Though he has shaped as if in need of further in time he has been well fancied and ran well on both of his hurdle starts to date. He starts handicapping off what looks a generous mark and Sean Bowen returning to the saddle is a big positive. Snapius hinted at a revival for his new yard when runner up last time and is on a dangerous rating judged on his old Irish form. He can follow the selection home ahead of Dotties Star who was given too much to do but returned to form last time. That rival will need to prove himself effective away from Plumpton though.
Milpat sets the standard on his French form which has been franked in the UK and Ireland. He is expected to improve for the winning stable debut he made over C&D last time so is greatly respected but HIDDEN MOUNTAIN appeals more. He showed a willing attitude when runner up on his debut to an Irish raider who has boosted the form at Grade 2 level back on home shores. He should improve for that initial experience and if handling this quicker surface he could be tough to beat. Of the newcomers Vadalix makes most appeal starting out for a yard with an excellent record in this discipline. He is worth following in the betting.
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