Don’t get Court out ... stick with Pauling’s battler

Take the exciting WILLOUGHBY

COURT (Cheltenham, 1.25) to make it the joy of six in the BetBright Dipper Novices’ Chase.

Ben Pauling’s seven-year-old hasn’t been totally convincing over fences, but there were signs at Newbury last time he is learning on the job.

a ragged round of jumping at Huntingdon on his seasonal bow left Willoughby Court requiring all his battling qualities to retain an unbeaten sequence which stretches back 12 months, five races and includes the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

If Willoughby Court’s critics have found fault with his jumping, then goodness knows what they have made of Yanworth’s.

Yanworth fell on his return at exeter, but it was his lack of fluency at Newbury which was disconcerting.

In the circumstances, he did well to finish within three lengths of Willoughby Court, but I am happy to stay loyal to his conqueror.

There have been stronger renewals of the Relkeel Hurdle than today’s, but that won’t matter to in-form trainer Fergal O’Brien if COLIN’S SISTER (Cheltenham, 3.10) prevails.

Bottomless ground shouldn’t inconvenience the West Yorkshire Hurdle winner. Colin’s Sister has already beaten Wholestone this season, while Old Guard may not be truly effective over this trip on very deep ground. If there is to be a surprise then anteros, who wears a visor for the first time, may provide it and he could reward a fun each-way bet.

The nap is SAMOVAR (Southwell, 12.35), who displayed speed over seven furlongs in a race he couldn’t seriously win last time and should appreciate today’s drop in trip. Connections add the headgear for the first time today.