Goshen can take Contenders gold riches
Goshen can get his career back on track in the Virgin Bet Contenders Hurdle at Sandown tomorrow.
Gary Moore’s charge looked a Champion Hurdle contender when slamming Song For Someone by 22 lengths in the Kingwell Hurdle 12 months ago, but then failed to make the grade in both Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and Punchestown Champion Hurdle. Stepping up in trip for two of his three starts this season has not worked out, while he found giving weight all round in a valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot beyond him.
Goshen has yet to lay the ghost of his dramatic exit in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2020, but Moore has not lost faith in his stable star, who did well to finish as close as he did at Lingfield a fortnight ago after hanging badly right for much of the way. Going back righthanded, the six-year-old is given another chance in what does not look a vintage renewal of this Listed contest.
A return to three miles can see Dans Le Vent regain winning ways in the Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle.
Evan Williams’ nine-yearold relished that trip when taking a valuable handicap at Haydock in November. He has run creditably in both his starts since, but both runs were over shorter and he has looked to be crying out for a step back up in distance.
L’Homme Presse can enhance his his claims for Cheltenham by maintaining his unbeaten record over fences in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase.
The seven-year-old has made a tremendous start to his career over fences with a 100 per cent record in three races. He looked very good when making all the running to lift he Dipper Chase at Cheltenham by 10 lengths and will be hard to beat if he is in that form.
Ahoy Senor is expected to book his ticket to Cheltenham by bouncing back to winning ways in the William Hill Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby. Lucinda Russell’s team rate the seven-yearold so highly they have given him an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, as well as in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. And that was despite him getting comprehensively beaten by Bravemansgame in the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Connections put that defeat down to the course and the more galloping nature of the track in West Yorkshire should suit him much better. Ahoy Senor certainly looked exciting when winning his previous start at Newbury by 31 lengths to open his chasing account. Highland Hunter can gain compensation for his effort in defeat in the Welsh National by landing the bet365 Edinburgh equivalent at Musselburgh.