LEN LUNGO is planning to have six runners at next week's Cheltenham Festival but meanwhile there is work to be done with Carlisle raider Le Biassais (2.05).

Lungo's six-year-old opened his account at Newcastle in February with a gritty three-quarter-length success over the highly-rated King Of Confusion. He sensibly gave Le Biassais a 36-day break following that bruising battle, kindness which might well be repaid with a follow-up victory in the opening Langholm Novices' Hurdle at the Cumbrian course.

Marsh Run's previous track win should stand her in good stead for the Nick Horn Memorial Hurdle over three miles and 110 yards.

Mick Easterby's mare gamely pulled out all of the stops to repel the persistent challenge of Diamond Sal when the pair clashed in a thrilling nip-and-tuck duel just under a month ago.

It was a brave effort by Marsh Run because she was headed by the runner-up at the second flight from home, but the courageous five-year-old dug deep and got her head back in front crossing the finishing line.

The fact that Newcastle-based Bob Johnson declined to take up a Carlisle entry and go instead much farther afield with Jaccount (3.05) is a hint in itself for the Brian Goodyear Handicap Hurdle at Towcester.

Jaccout was a pretty smart cookie in his native France a few seasons past, however he's taken an age to get his act together in the UK, finally justifying importation to these shores with a runaway win at Sedgefield .

Although the selection has been bumped up 10lbs in the weights, Johnson has nearly offset the difference by booking the up-and-coming conditional jockey, Pat O'Neill, who is able to take an invaluable 7lbs off Jaccout's back.

Wincanton's Blue Square Handicap Hurdle is a relatively weak affair in which Algymo (4.40) is well worth an each-way wager at odds certain to be 10-1 or better.

Simon Burrough's beautifully bred filly, by Tamure out of a Reference Point mare, showed absolutely zilch until her latest couple of starts, when hinting at latent ability in similar standard contests at Exeter and Hereford.

If, as her form indicates, Algymo is a late-maturing individual, now could be the time to climb on the bandwagon before all and sundry twig.

* Sandown Park's Betfred Gold Cup, which brings the National Hunt season to a close, has attracted 84 entries for this year's renewal on April 23.

Last year's winner Puntal is among the 16 entries from Martin Pipe's yard, while Paul Nicholls has seven possibilities, including the 2001 and 2003 winner Ad Hoc.

Amberleigh House, last year's Grand National winner, is also entered for the Grade Three contest, along with the highly-talented novice Ollie Magern.

Ten horses are entered from Ireland, including the Willie Mullins-trained Hedgehunter and three from the Francois Doumen camp, led by First Gold.

Sponsor Fred Done is offering a £250,000 bonus if a horse wins any race at this year's Cheltenham Festival and then wins the Betfred.

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