Tuesday 12th March

1:30 Supreme Novice Hurdle
AL DANCER 5/1 generally – 1 POINT WIN

AL DANCER has been impressive all season and is unbeaten in 4 starts over hurdles. He has already won at Cheltenham back in December, so we know he likes the course, albeit on the new course (todays race on old course) but he flew up the hill and that is what I look for. He then went and won the Betfair Hurdle very easily at Ascot on a course which probably didn’t play to his strengths. He is a horse who is quite keen in his races but personally I believe the keenness is from the pace of the race. He simply pricks his ears and wants to go faster. This race is going to have plenty of pace with two confirmed front runners in Brandon Castle and Elixie De Nutz, AL DANCER will be able to settle early which is exactly what he needs.

The ground will be no problem as he has winning form on soft ground and I know he stays a bit further given the early career quotes from trainer, that he will want 2 1/2 miles a few years down the line. They were also debating going for the Ballymore Hurdle before he won the Betfair Hurdle which is more confirmation that he stays further. He has a lot of speed and reports from training are they find it hard to find a workhorse for him to go alongside, as he is very fast and nothing keeps up with him. I just think this horse has so much potential and so much more improvement to come. I believe this race is set up for him perfectly, and my one niggle pre race was how keen he is but given you have two horses who will go fast and hard it could fall into his lap. It will take a good one to beat him in my opinion and the drift out to 5/1 is what sealed the deal for me. Sam Twiston Davies will be riding and he has been on board all 4 wins this season. He is riding very well this year and is as strong as they come in a finish. WIN.