Swift Hawk to swoop home at Stratford

Swift Hawk stands out for Paul Nicholls in the opening Find The Best Odds Oncourse Juvenile Hurdle at Stratford today.

He was picked up for 85,000 guineas after showing promise on the Flat when with William Knight and that looked money well spent after he came with a nice run to oblige at Taunton on his jumping debut in late December.

He has been withdrawn from his last three intended starts, but Swift Hawk can now start making up for lost time.

Milldam will not mind the conditions being testing in the Better Value With Racecourse Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle, judged on his past efforts this term.

The going was officially described as heavy for his wins at Ffos Las and Catterick, with Jamie Snowden’s gelding showing a willing spirit to get the better of The Churchill Lad in a fierce battle last time out.

Pipers Cross secured a deserved success at Huntingdon recently and should be there or thereabouts once more in the Alderminster Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle.

After kicking off with a trio of runner-up finishes for her new connections, Robbie Llewellyn’s mare powered home to score by a dozen lengths and will again be coming on strong as others cry enough in tough conditions.

Jane Williams is having a fantastic season with her juvenile hurdlers and Inside Man can continue that trend at Taunton.

Castelfort, Kel Du Large and Captain Marvellous have done the yard proud in this department, proving the old adage that success breeds success.

Inside Man began his career by giving Liari a good test at Wincanton and Paul Nicholls’ charge has since franked the form by scoring in Listed company at Aintree and Musselburgh.

That promising effort was followed up by a convincing eightlength victory at this venue and he sets a strong standard in the William Hill Epic Value Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle.

Just Over Land came good at Lingfield last month, justifying some strong support in the betting ring when making all to romp home by 18 lengths.

The five-year-old had been costly to follow before that, disappointing his backers when well fancied on several occasions, but a wind operation appeared to work wonders. –