STAYERS' HURDLE LOWDOWN by SAM TURNER
HOME BY THE LEE appears to have matured mentally as well as physically in the last 12 months and that shift in psyche was evident at Leopardstown over Christmas, when the selection won with a degree of authority. He used to be harder work than the EastEnders Omnibus, but travelled on the bridle longer for JJ Slevin that day and can improve on his gallant sixth place in this event last year.
The decision to supplement GOLD TWEET could be a shrewd one as the French raider was a smooth winner of the Cleeve Hurdle on his first attempt at three miles. Overnight rain in Cheltenham will surely play to his strengths given the way he finished off that race.
ASHDALE BOB has a profile which often sees him involved at the business end of this type of race and it would be no shock to see him placed once more.