GATHERING TO COLLECT KITTY

Minella Gathering gets the nod in the Verzon House Hotel Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Hereford tomorrow.

The Old Vic gelding spent over two and a half years on the sidelines before making a comeback this season.

Trainer Paul Henderson must have been thrilled with his reappearance at Wincanton last month, where he was runner-up behind Amantius, and he backed that up with another placed effort at Warwick on New Year’s Eve.

Henderson has sensibly given his charge a few weeks to recover and he should be cherry-ripe for his latest assignment.

Tearsofclewbay should make the most of having her sights lowered in the EBF Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Fontwell.

The Philip Hobbstrained mare won her first two starts in bumpers last season before coming up short in Listed company in the spring. She made a winning start to her career over jumps at Worcester in October, but again had her limitations exposed in a hot race at Haydock last month.

This event is nowhere near as competitive and Tearsofclewbay should get back on the winning trail.

With the British action low-key, plenty will be focusing their attention on the quality fare at Leopardstown. The big betting race is the Coral.ie Hurdle, in which Heartbreak City is likely to be extremely popular with punters.

Since last winning over obstacles at the Galway Festival, Tony Martin’s charge readily claimed the Ebor at York and finished a fantastic second in the Melbourne Cup. Those efforts make him look ridiculously well treated over jumps off a mark of 125. While this is fiercely competitive, Heartbreak City looks a blot on the handicap.

Yorkhill makes his second start over fences in the Coral.ie-sponsored novice chase and he is expected to record another victory to confirm his place as antepost favourite for the JLT Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in March.

Kylecrue should give us a good run for our money in the Coral.ie Leopardstown Handicap Chase.