McNeill’s boy can really lead the way
Threeunderthrufive can cement his claims as a lively outsider for the Cheltenham Festival with victory in the bet365 Scottish Stayers Novices’ Hurdle at Musselburgh tomorrow.
While connections of the six-year-old have made no secret of the fact they see his future over fences, Threeunderthrufive is also proving pretty adept over the smaller obstacles along the way.
Two bumper outings last term yielded a second and a win, but presented with some obstacles to jump, he made an impressive debut at Lingfield in October before following up with an equally-taking verdict at Ludlow the following month. His jumping was certainly not perfect that day, but he was still five and a half lengths too good for an oddson favourite, despite still being a bit green.
Threeunderthrufive has shown he can handle variations in ground and while the McNeill Family’s gelding steps into the unknown in moving up to three miles here, there is every reason to hope he can see out the trip and book a potential Festival date next month.
Sextant is another who might be able line up at Prestbury Park, with his hopes on the line in the bet365 Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
The six-year-old was a 76,000 guineas recruit from the Flat at the end of 2020, having acquitted himself with credit in 13 starts for the Queen and trainer Sir Michael Stoute. A Listed winner with a rating of 108 in his pomp a couple of years ago, Sextant struggled to make a mark in three runs during a curtailed 2020 campaign before being recruited by Keith Dalgleish.
Beaten a length in a Kempton Listed heat on his first outing for the yard, Sextant showed he could be a decent hurdles prospect too when winning by six lengths at the first attempt. His jumping got better as the race went on at Carlisle last month and while it was not the most competitive heat, the race provided a nice introduction and Sextant can build on that here.
Fiveandtwenty can make it a Musselburgh hat-trick in the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle, which offers up Listed honours. A veteran of 10
Flat runs for Mark Johnston, Fiveandtwenty has made a seamless transition to hurdles, winning each of her two runs for Donald McCain.
Victorious by 26 lengths at the first attempt, she made hard work of winning by two lengths on New Year’s Day, but nevertheless toughed it out – a quality that should stand her in good stead. Magnificia can make the most of returning to seven furlongs in the Bombardier “March To Your Own Drum” Handicap at Southwell. Her only victory to date came over that course and distance in December.