The cap fits at Fontwell

IF The Cap Fits can get the better of two previous Netbet Casino National Spirit Hurdle winners in this year’s renewal at Fontwell.

Hardy perennial Old Guard bids to follow up his victory in this race last year, and the remarkable Lil Rockerfeller is also back to see if he can regain the title he won in 2016.

Both will race off level weights with If The Cap Fits on Sunday - in Old Guard’s case, unlike in the Ascot Hurdle three months ago when he failed by one and a half lengths to concede 6lb to the winner.

That gives him an evident chance of reversing the form here, but there is very good reason to believe the year younger and much more lightlyraced If The Cap Fits has significant scope for further progress.

It was hardly any disgrace to be put in his place by dual champion Buveur D’Air and Verdana Blue in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day and back up to this trip, with fit-again Noel Fehily on board again, Harry Fry’s seven-year-old stands out as the likeliest winner.

Lil Rockerfeller, also second in this race last year, may be his toughest rival having had a wind op for this second run back over hurdles following three novice chase wins.

At a much lower level, there appeared to be no fluke about the much-improved performance of Sheila’s Fancy in his surprise victory over course and distance last month.

Therefore, it is easy to see the fiveyear-old - albeit up 9lb - following up in the NetBet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle.

In the closing Netbet Betmaker Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race, Hugos Other Horse catches the eye on breeding as a half-brother to recently-retired national treasure Cue Card.

That brilliant chaser first announced himself with a breathtaking bumper win on debut at this course, back in 2010.

Hugos Other Horse has already had a sighter, when it took him a while to get the message in fourth at Wincanton over Christmas. But Paul Nicholls’ five-year-old can prove the value of that initial experience.