Nicky Henderson has praised On The Blind Side as one of the yard’s leading prospects, as the novice hurdler hopes to strike on the opening day of Cheltenham’s November Meeting in the Grade 2 Hyde Novices' Hurdle at 3.35pm.
The five-year-old moved to Lambourn following his impressive point-to-point success, and made a winning debut for his new yard at Aintree last month.
The champion trainer is hoping he has another star in his ranks, in the same race which unearthed eventual Gold Cup winner Coneygree.
“He made a very pleasing start at Aintree last month when he would have needed it and there should be more improvement to come,” Henderson told his Unibet blog.
“I think he is up to this grade and his victory at Liverpool really impressed me over a trip which was on the short side around there and he’ll definitely appreciate the small step up around this stiffer track.
“They didn’t go very quick at all at Aintree so it developed into a sprint which wouldn’t have suited therefore, the manner of his victory gives me confidence that he’s as talented as we all hope he is.
“It’s more competitive here and we’ll find out much more at Cheltenham but he’s improved again since his debut and he’s a horse with a big future.”
Colin Tizzard’s Vision Des Flos, Dan Skelton’s Momella and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Calett Mad look big dangers in the race.
Elsewhere on the card, Colin Tizzard is hoping Finian’s Oscar can be an emotional winner of the Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase (2:25), following owner Alan Potts’ death earlier this week.
Potts, who celebrated his first Gold Cup success with Sizing John in March, passed away on Thursday evening sending shockwaves through the sport.
Finian’s Oscar remained one of his most exciting horses, having won two Grade One prizes as a novice hurdler last season. Now chasing, he won on his return at Chepstow.
Elsewhere Grand National runner-up Cause Of Causes returns in the Cross Country contest at 3pm.
