Marlborough Sir Erec to prove he is a class apart

Unflashy former Flat racer has taken well to hurdles and should provide the answer in Triumph Hurdle

1.30

There does not appear to be much depth to this race and SIR EREC, who had smart Flat form before switching to hurdles, can maintain his unbeaten record. He is not particularly flashy but, as one would expect from his early career at Ballydoyle, highly professional. Quel Destin, a course winner, has done everything asked of him and done it well. Although only beaten once in six outings, his form is solid rather than spectacular. Almost 50 per cent of Nicky Henderson’s 16 runners in the past 10 years have made the frame so Adjali and

Pentland Hills are respected, particularly Pentland Hills, who made a bright start at Plumpton. 2.10

A field of 26 and very few that can be confidently dismissed. I am trusting that the class of Willie Mullins’ MR ADJUDICATOR, a winner and twice runner-up in three Grade Ones last season, can carry him through. Encouragingly, he has form in a big field, which has been a positive pointer in previous years. Ruby Walsh has chosen Whisky Sour but he has three pounds more than when third behind Mohaayed a year ago and not improved since. Western Ryder likes it around here but has nothing in hand from this mark. High Expectations and Storm Rising were on the shortlist.

2.50

This poses a severe test for novices. CAP YORK has already won over three miles, landing a strongly-run handicap at Punchestown. This is clearly a step up in grade but for such an inexperienced horse – he had only run three times prior to that – to comfortably account for seasoned performers was commendable and he has boundless potential. Lisnagar Oscar improved markedly for a step up to this trip at Haydock and is another heading in the right direction. Rhinestone has displayed a smart level of form already but may have even more to offer at this distance. 3.30 Although PRESENTING PERCY has had an unconventional preparation – one run over hurdles since winning the RSA Chase easily here a year ago – he is a far from conventional horse. He has a good cruising speed and possesses both tactical speed and stamina. Clan Des

Obeaux is hard to fault, and a young improver such as him is always to be feared. Native

River and Might Bite fought out an epic finish to this race 12 months ago and Native

River has fared best of them since. Few will outbattle him to the line if he is there at the last fence. Two Welsh Grand National winners – Colin Tizzard’s Native River being one – have gone on to land this since 2012 and Tizzard’s Elegant Escape has a realistic chance of repeating the trick.

4.10

Pacha Du Polder has won this for the past two years and while repeat winners are a feature of the event, a hat-trick appears out of his reach in what seems a stronger contest. STAND UP AND FIGHT represents Enda Bolger and could not be in better hands. He recorded a decent time and won a Down Royal hunter chase with a degree of comfort in December. Aged just seven, we undoubtedly have yet to see the best of him. Ucello

Conti has been revitalised by a switch to this grade and should be thereabouts.

Hazel Hill could hardly have won more easily than he did at Warwick and can give his rider a good spin.

4.50

BUN DORAN has plenty going for him. He likes the course and neither trip nor ground are an issue. He also runs well fresh so an absence of 90 days is a positive. Diakali wears a visor for the first time and if that reignites him then he has to go well back in handicap. company. Whatswrongwithyou is on the upgrade and has the right sort of profile. Magic Saint is also unexposed and while he needs to improve, there is every reason to believe he can.

5.30

As hard a race as any this week and if you are behind now, good luck. Jonjo O’neill Jnr is a promising conditional rider and may have the right partner in

EARLY DOORS to make his Cheltenham Festival breakthrough. This six-year-old has run with credit in Grade Ones but now that sights have been lowered he may be able to get his head in front again. Pym appears to relish an uphill finish and remains unexposed. The progressive Doctor Dex has more to do but if he can take another forward step is a place candidate.