FIVE TO WATCH

CHELTENHAM COUNTDOWN:

Looking for a fw pointers for next month’s Cheltenham Festival? MARCUS TOWNEND picks five to watch today…

DEISE ABA (Ascot, 12.30)

Beat yesterday’s Sandown winner Queenofhearts last time. Quoted for the Albert Bartlett (16-1) and Ballymore Novices’ Hurdles (25-1). This test should tell us where he stands.

TORPILLO (Haydock, 12.50)

Has easily won both his races in this country. A 14-1 shot for the Triumph Hurdle but faces his stiffest test yet against Grade One winning hurdler Quel Destin.

YANWORTH (Haydock, 1.55)

Hasn’t run since finishing sixth to Penhill in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the 2018 Festival but remains an interesting contender for that race again if he goes well here.

KATESON (Haydock, 4.10)

First run at 3m for the gelding that was third to Champ in Newbury’s Challow Hurdle. His 20-1 odds for Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle will be cut if goes in.

PACHA DU POLDER (Haydock, 4.45)

Has won the last two runnings of the Foxhunters’ Chase and this will be his one prep run before attempting to make it three in a row under jockey Harriet Tucker.