Uxizandre backed to relive festival glory

UXIZANDRE can spearhead another fine festival afternoon for owner JP McManus by regaining his Ryanair Chase title on day three at Cheltenham.

McManus enjoyed Champion Hurdle glory with Buveur D’Air on Tuesday and another championship event can go his way with Uxizandre, who has a very special place in festival history as he gave Sir Tony McCoy his final winner at the meeting when lifting this race in 2015.

That was certainly an unexpected victory as he had shown only a limited amount in his two previous runs, but he benefited from a classic McCoy ride as he made every yard to run out a fivelength winner.

However, Uxizandre has suffered his troubles since and did not actually reappear until chasing home Un De Sceaux in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase on Trials Day at Cheltenham in January.

He has five lengths to find with the winner here, but there is every reason to believe the Alan King-trained Uxizandre can make up that difference and more.

Uxizandre will surely have tightened up for his first competitive action in nearly two years, while switching back up in trip from two miles is also a plus

given the way he stayed on up the hill at this meeting two years ago.

Any drying of the ground would certainly not go against Uxizandre, in contrast to the favourite, and he can snatch back his crown.

UN O WHAT I MEAN HARRY also sports the green and gold of McManus and he appears set to carry all before him in the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle.

Paul Nicholls has spoken in glowing terms about POLITOLOGUE and given the JLT Novices’ Chase has long been on the agenda, he should not be ignored.

The six-year-old is three from four over fences this term, with his only defeat coming behind Waiting Patiently at Haydock back in January.

He probably just paid the price for racing keenly on Merseyside and the winner is certainly no slouch, so it is probably best to judge Politologue on previous wins at Haydock and Ascot. SELECTIONS CHELTENHAM: 1.30 Politologue, 2.10 Impulsive Star,2.50UXIZ ANDRE( NAP ),3.30 U now ha time an harry ,4.10 Road To Respect ,4.50 Air lie Beach, 5.30 Hadrian’s Approach.

HEXHAM: 1.45 Hurricane Rita, 2.25 Topham Bay, 3.05 Hattons Hill, 3.45 The Bishop, 4.25 Finaghy Ayr, 5.05 Floramoss, 5.40 Ruby Vodka.

DOUBLE: Uxizandre and Politologue.