Last year’s Cheltenham Festival runner-up Lil Rockerfeller is once again eyeing Fontwell’s National Spirit Hurdle before heading back to the Stayers’ Hurdle.
The seven-year-old was beaten by just under a length by Nichols Canyon at the Festival last March, and looked to be in peak form when landing the Coral Hurdle at Ascot earlier this year.
Yet Neil King’s star was very disappointing when only defeating two rivals in the Long Walk Hurdle, and hopes to retain the prize he won in 2016.
“He’s in great form going into the National Spirit,” said King.
“We've purposely kept him fresh for this race. We decided not to run him in the Cleeve (Hurdle, Cheltenham) to keep him fresh.‘I didn't see any point in running him on that testing ground.”
“He’s a better horse on better ground these days and the more it drys out the happier we’ll be.
“He won it very nicely a few years ago and hopefully he will take all of the beating again. I never use the word confident but we’re very hopeful.”
He is currently best priced at 20-1 for Thursday’s feature race, however a good performance at the West Sussex track could put him into contention in what looks a very open contest.
His biggest rival this afternoon is the ultra-consistent Old Guard for Paul Nicholls, and the in-form rider Byrony Frost.
The seven-year-old landed a competitive listed prize at Kempton and a good handicap at Newbury earlier this season, and didn’t run too badly when fourth at Cheltenham last time.
Air Horse One returned back to his best form for Harry Fry when second to Jenkins in a valuable contest at Ascot in December, Henry Daly’s novice Dr Des steps up in grade after his impressive six-length win at Towcester last time.
Welsh trainer Evan Williams saddles Clyne who was a tad below par at Haydock last time, but has posted some good form at graded level.
Ubak, Value At Risk and Norman The Red also compete in the 2m3f contest.
TIP: Lil Rockerfeller sets a very high form standard here, in what doesn’t look too hot a renewal of the National Spirit. He was poor last time, but he has had a bit of time away from the racecourse and hopefully can return back to form. For me, if he returns to his best he wins, and I think he will do here.
