RACING No trial and error for flyer

OVERLAND FLYER was thoroughly impressive on his British bow at Taunton last month and can follow up in the Albert Bartlett Scottish Trial Novices’ Hurdle at Musselburgh.

The six-year-old is in the frame for the big one at the Festival and victory here would surely see Paul Nicholls’ runner slashed in price for the threemile heat.

Winner of two of his three point-topoint outings, Overland Flyer was allowed to go off at the generous odds of 3-1 in the west country and he made a mockery of that price as he strolled home by 22 lengths without having to get anywhere near top gear.

This is obviously a bigger test of his abilities, but Overland Flyer is hard to oppose on what he has shown so far.

Stablemate El Bandit is another who seems to thrive in sound conditions so he should be given a chance to redeem himself in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle after disappointing last time.

He won five on the bounce between April and October last year, including the Grade Two Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow.

However, tried at handicap level off a seemingly reasonable mark of 139 at Newbury’s Hennessy meeting, El Bandit was never even really in contention as he finished seventh on what was his first try over three miles.

It would be easy to think he just did not stay the longer trip that day, but the soft going he encountered there would hardly have been ideal given his proven aptitude for quicker ground.

While he has to prove his stamina, El Bandit is worth giving another chance as a class horse in a handicap field.

Peter The Mayo Man can return from a short break to make it four wins on the spin in the Sky Bet Supreme Scottish Trial Novices’ Hurdle.

Neil Mulholland’s runner clearly reserves his better efforts for good ground, as evidenced by his victories at Worcester and Warwick in September and Newbury at the beginning of November.