CHELTENHAM COUNTDOWN

NINE WEEKS TO GO

Eight-time champion jockey PETER SCUDAMORE’S verdict on the weekend action…

WAITING PATIENTLY

PRODUCED the performance of the weekend when easily winning the listed 2m 4f chase at Kempton. Looks the best chaser trained in the north. Trainer Malcolm Jefferson will pitch him against Cue Card in next month’s Grade One Ascot Chase, but he is potentially a big contender for the Ryanair Chase.

REDICEAN

TRAINER Alan King is red-hot with his juvenile hurdlers and thinks he picked this one up cheap for 85,000 guineas. After he made it two from two over hurdles with a 10-length win at Kempton, I think he is right. A run at Cheltenham Trials day on January 27 looks next, where he could meet Nicky Henderson’s impressive Apple’s Shakira. That will be a test.

GETABIRD

MISSED last year’s Festival Bumper through injury but is now 4-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after quickening away from the last to win the Moscow Flyer Novices’ Hurdle at Punchestown. Trainer Willie Mullins has used this race in the past as a stepping stone for some of his stars, including Douvan and Vautour. He is juggling his novice team but Getabird looks a big player for his division at Cheltenham. PS WE HAVE to go back a week but I was very impressed with Chepstow Bumper winner Good Boy Bobby. Nigel Twiston-Davies will surely have an eye on the Festival Bumper with him.