Out of sight, out of mind? Seven big-priced festival hopes not to underestimate

With the Cheltenham Festival approaching at a rate of knots, we give recognition to a few juicy-priced horses who may have slipped under the radar.

French Crusader
33-1 Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle

He only finished six lengths behind exciting prospect Epatante last time out, with Nicky Henderson dubbing the seven-year-old "no mug" following that effort against his stablemate.

Now rated 20lb inferior to Epatante, who franked the form by winning impressively next time out in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle, French Crusader is a dark horse and could prove to be very well handicapped if he turns up in the County Hurdle.

French Crusader (left, red) pictured finishing second to subsequent Christmas Hurdle winner EpatanteCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Le Richebourg
25-1 Ryanair Chase, 25-1 Champion Chase

He looked to have the world at his feet following a seven-length Dublin Festival demolition job last year and was subsequently made 5-2 favourite for the Arkle before being ruled out for the season due to injury.

Now back in training, the seven-year-old will be looking to pick up where he left off and he could run in either the Ryanair or Champion Chase, with 25-1 looking a tasty price for either race if he returns to full fitness.

Edwardstone
20-1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, 25-1 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle

The Alan King-trained six-year-old’s stock has risen despite sitting in his box after two successive victories for Fiddlerontheroof. Edwardstone defeated the subsequent Grade 1 Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle scorer by three-quarters of a length two starts ago.

He can be backed at around twice the price of Fiddlerontheroof for the Supreme which looks an underestimation of his ability.

Edwardstone (near side) gets the better of odds-on favourite Fiddlerontheroof at WincantonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Chantry House
25-1 Albert Bartlett, 25-1 Ballymore, 20-1 Supreme

Another interesting angle to the Edwardstone form line is Chantry House, who defeated him by three and a half lengths in a bumper last March before winning again on his seasonal reappearance last month.

He could run in any of the three novice hurdle races at Cheltenham, the Nicky Henderson-trained youngster could prove an exciting prospect wherever he lines up.

Cornerstone Lad
50-1 Champion Hurdle

With a Grade 1 victory in the Fighting Fifth under his belt, it is remarkable that 50-1 is available for this six-year-old, despite Buveur D'Air suffering a serious injury during the race.

We will learn more if, as expected, he lines up in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock, but if he produces anything close to a similar performance in the Fighting Fifth, 50-1 might not be around for much longer.

50-1 RSA Chase

Chasing plans were put on ice after Vision Des Flos fell at Ffos Las at the beginning of last season but this smart hurdler could still take high rank over fences. Lest we forget the seven-year-old defeated Grade 1 winner If The Cap Fits in the National Spirit Hurdle last season.

Colin Tizzard has earmarked the RSA Chase as the long-term target and he should emerge as a player in top novice chases if translating his hurdling form to fences. He finished lame when fifth to Champ last time but if turning up to the festival in top form the 50-1 for the RSA could prove generous.

Vision Des Flos: landing the National Spirit HurdleCredit: Steve Davies

Sams Profile
33-1 Stayers' Hurdle

We have not seen the Grade 1-placed Sams Profile yet this campaign but he remains an intriguing prospect in staying hurdles. The Mouse Morris-trained six-year-old solidified his credentials as one of the premier novices last season when giving Reserve Tank a scare at Punchestown and could enjoy a fruitful second half of the season.

Paisley Park is deservedly a warm order for the Stayers' Hurdle but the unexposed Sams Profile is widely available at 33-1 for a race which lacks strength in depth.

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