10:55am Monday 15th March 2010
STRATFORD is usually a great place to be on the day before the Cheltenham Festival gets underway and a big crowd is always expected.
Those looking to top up their stake money ahead of the four-day jamboree could do worse than lumping on Super Kenny in the SIS Live Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle.
Trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, he is held in high regard at Seven Barrows.
He has not been seen over timber, but he was still among the Triumph Hurdle contenders until the six-day stage.
The fact he was only around 16-1 for the Triumph, despite the fact he had not run, tells you much about his star potential.
Henderson can notch a quickfire double with Bonikos taken to atone for defeat last time in the Firs Garage Golden Anniversary Beginners’ Chase.
Twice a winner over hurdles, he was sent off the oddson favourite on his fencing bow but an indifferent leap at the last saw him held.
Given that his hurdles wins both came on good ground, it could be the softer surface that day just did not suit and with conditions riding on the good side at Stratford, Bonikos is expected to go well.
Bumper winner Tiger Bay can make a triumphant start over obstacles in Plumpton’s toteplacepot ‘‘National Hunt’’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Third at Southwell on his first start, he improved again to prevail easily at Lingfield last month.
While both of those runs came on the all weather, he will be no stranger to turf and looks a useful prospect for Noel Chance.
Sumdancer seems to thrive at Plumpton and he can go in again in the toteexacta Handicap Chase.
He has done all his winning at the track and while three wins in 38 starts is far from the best strike-rate, he really does love this track.
Sumdancer was a 21-length winner at the venue this month and he can follow up.
It looks as if Gary Moore is giving his smart chaser Fix The Rib a blow out over hurdles in preperation for Aintree in Taunton’s Greyhound Inn At Staplefitzpaine Novices’ Hurdle.
He will not be fully tuned up for this, but hopefully his overall ability should see him come through. Rated 156 over fences, he was third in the Game Sprit behind Master Minded on his most recent start.
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