FORT LOOKS TERR-IFIC
TERREFORT has the right conditions to defend his unbeaten record for Nicky Henderson.
The French native, reportedly a very lazy horse in morning exercise, made his debut for Seven Barrows in a novices’ handicap chase at Huntingdon in January, laughing at a handicap mark of 137 with a 10-length victory.
Henderson feared the number cruncher had over-reacted in giving Terrefort a new perch of 151.
But the grey justified the calculations in the Grade 1 WE’RE kicking off today with the Pertemps Hurdle Final (2.10).
Our main trends for this tough contest are:
■ Avoid five-year-olds and French-bred horses.
■ Must be rated between 138 and 149.
And taking out horses from out-of-form yards or who are badly handicapped, we are left with a shortlist of two — Who Dares Wins and Boite.
It’s hard to say how successful wind-ops are in general, but one has worked for judged on his impressive Taunton win two starts ago.
Gavin Sheehan’s (right) mount was in the process of stepping up on that before crashing out in the Rendlesham, so have 2pts each-way (28-1) with Coral.
The Alan King-trained Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown last month when he beat Cyrname by a neck, with the third 30 lengths away.
Daryl Jacob’s (left) mount, who has gained all his victories with give under foot, can win again.
Modus, who has been feeling his way over fences, and Invitation Only, whose second to Monalee last month was boosted yesterday, are feared most. is an old favourite of this column and we won’t desert him now as he’s only off a 3lb higher mark than when running third in the Coral Cup last year.
That was a much better race than today’s and he is a proven Festival horse who comes here fresh, so have 2pts win at 14-1 where you can get it.
was unlucky in the Kim Muir (5.30) last year. Only beaten three lengths, he’s on the same mark here and has been running well in better races. Have 2pts win at 11-2 with William Hill.