Guaranteed stayer set to leave reappearance behind

Doitforthevillage 3.10 Cheltenham

Buy at 9 on Index

With conditions set to be gruelling if the weather forecast is accurate, only proven stayers need apply and Doitforthevillage is one runner who definitely fits the bill.

A winner over 2m3½f on soft ground at Chesptow last season, the Paul Henderson-trained ten-year-old ended the campaign with a third place over the Grand National fences at Aintree.

He’s no plodder, either, as he proved when making the frame over 2m½f at Newbury on his second start of the season.

It’s worth dwelling on that effort as it’s the second time in the last three seasons he has finished in the first three on his second start back (the ground would have been too fast for him when he was only sixth in this race in 2017 on the other occasion), having been unplaced on his reappearance. That bodes well for his chances here, two weeks after a never-dangerous ninth on his return at Chepstow.

His record on soft/heavy ground over fences is compelling, too, with three wins, a second and three thirds from 12 starts.

He’s 1lb lower than when finishing placed at Ascot, Warwick and Aintree last season. The only real concern is the alarming form of his yard, which hasn’t had a winner since February and its last few runners have barely raised a leg.

It will be interesting to see how Saint Calvados fares on his first start since a wind op. His last three runs have been in Grade 1s, but this is much more competitive than the handicaps he won off marks in the 140s a couple of seasons ago.

3.10 Cheltenham
Sporting (50-25-10) 12-15 Brelan Das, 10-13 Saint Calvados, 9-12 Mcgroarty, Knocknanuss, 7-9 Doitforthevillage, Master Work, 6-8 Duke Of Navan, 5-7 Gino Trail, Marracudja, 1-3 Vaniteux, Northern Beau.
Match bet 1-2.5 Brelan Das/Knocknanuss.