sport news Stayers' Hurdle Lowdown: Home By The Lee can improve on his gallant sixth place ... trends now
Home By The Lee appears to have matured mentally as well as physically in the last 12 months and that shift in psyche was evident at Leopardstown over Christmas, when the selection won with a degree of authority.
He used to be harder work than the EastEnders Omnibus, but travelled on the bridle longer for JJ Slevin that day and can improve on his gallant sixth place in this event last year.
The decision to supplement Gold Tweet could be a shrewd one as the French raider was a smooth winner of the Cleeve Hurdle on his first attempt at three miles. Overnight rain in Cheltenham will surely play to his strengths given the way he finished off that race.
Ashdale Bob has a profile which often sees him involved at the business end of this type of race and it would be no shock to see him placed once more.
SELECTION: HOME BY THE LEE................6-1
MAIN DANGER: GOOD TWEET.................11-1
LIVE OUTSIDER: ASHDALE BOB..............16-1
Home By The Lee has improved this season and can improve on his gallant sixth place last year
ASHDALE BOB
Third in last season’s Coral Cup and has run creditably in defeat a couple of times this season, when trailing in the wake of Home By The Lee. Others preferred from a win perspective.
BLAZING KHAL
The subject of fitness concerns and reported to have had a rushed preparation. Remains a potentially high-class hurdler, though, and boasts plenty of useful track form.
DASHEL DRASHER
Enjoying another excellent season but outclassed by Gold Tweet here in the Cleeve Hurdle last time and probably vulnerable to a rival with younger legs.
FLOORING PORTER
Winner of the last two renewals when afforded an easy lead and this year’s preparation suggests he remains competitive as he strives to complete a notable hat-trick.
GOLD TWEET
Sprung a mini surprise with a stylish defeat of Dashel Drasher in the Cleeve Hurdle and was wisely supplemented, given conditions will be perfect for him here.
HENRI LE FARCEUR
Progressing as a hurdler and arrives on the back of a nine-length rout in an Auteuil Grade Two before Christmas. Dangerous to dismiss, ground sure to suit.
HOME BY THE LEE
Looks to have matured and victories in Navan’s Lismullen Hurdle and in Grade One company over Christmas give him major claims of improving on last year’s sixth place in this.
KLASSICAL
