WAIT SHOULD BE WORTH IT!

Wait For Me can kick-start his season with victory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury tomorrow.

The Philip Hobbstrained seven-year-old has underperformed so far this term, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest he is more than capable of making his presence felt in one of the season’s most fiercely competitive handicaps off his current mark.

Wait For Me looked a youngster of immense promise when finishing third in the 2015 Champion Bumper behind Moon Racer.

He failed to reach those heights during his novice campaign over hurdles, but still won twice – including over this course and distance – and was not beaten far into fourth place in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The French-bred gelding was disappointing in Haydock’s Swinton Hurdle in May and while he has not yet rediscovered his best form since returning from a summer break, his efforts at Kempton and Cheltenham were not devoid of promise.

A rating of 138 undoubtedly underestimates his talent and with the track and soft ground set to play to his strengths, a bold bid is anticipated, with the form of the stable picking up during the last couple of weeks.

It could be a big day for Wait For Me’s rider Richard Johnson.

The champion jockey also gets the leg up on Native River, who should cement his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims by landing the Betfair Denman Chase for Colin Tizzard.

While a Grade One success at Aintree last spring suggested the future was bright, the seven-year-old has improved more than even his connections must have hoped this season.

A long-term plan came to fruition when he landed the Hennessy Gold Cup here back in November, but it was his tremendous weight-carrying display in the Welsh Grand National that really confirmed him as a leading contender for next month’s blue riband at Prestbury Park.

Official ratings suggest Bristol De Mai should give Native River plenty to think about in Berkshire, but whether he can repeat his remarkable performance in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock three weeks ago remains to be seen.

The Betfair Exchange Chase – better known as the Game Spirit – throws up a fascinating clash between the Tizzard-trained Fox Norton and Nicky Henderson’s hugely exciting novice Altior.

Fox Norton actually comes out the better horse on the book – rated 7lb superior to Altior but conceding only 5lb.

However, Altior is open to massive improvement having had just the three starts over fences and has barely come off the bridle to win each in devastating style.

Altior is expected to come out on top to leave himself in pole position for the Arkle at Cheltenham.