Can Skelton and Henderson find the key to their promising hurdlers?

Monday: 2.20 SouthwellSky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Handicap Hurdle | 3m½f | 4yo+ | Sky

There's no shortage of big-name trainers sending out fancied runners in this race and it’s Dan Skelton and Nicky Henderson who stand out. Both saddle lightly raced hurdlers, with Skelton running the novice Kayf Hernando and Henderson Lecale’s Article.

Kayf Hernando beat the once classy chaser Mister Whitaker on his hurdles debut at Carlisle and that form was franked when the runner-up won next time. However, Kayf Hernando has gone backwards, having been beaten a total of 64 lengths on two subsequent outings.

It’s not difficult to forgive his poor run behind the classy Blazing Khal in what was probably a hot race at Cheltenham’s November meeting, but he does have a bit to prove after a heavy defeat in a weaker race at Southwell last time. That run was over 2m4½f, though.

Kayf Hernando’s chance rests on his improving for the half-mile step up in trip and the addition of a tongue-strap. Skelton’s runners have a healthy 22 per cent strike-rate when wearing that aid for the first time since the start of 2019, so maybe it will work the oracle.

Lecale’s Article has a similar profile. He has been disappointing over shorter trips after making a promising start to his career and now tries 3m½f for the first time in headgear.

Henderson has taken the unusual step of fitting first-time blinkers. The trainer doesn’t run many in that type of headgear and is just 1-9 (11 per cent) with runners in the aid for the first time since the start of 2019. That suggests the addition might not be entirely positive.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What They Say

Olly Murphy, trainer of Finawn Bawn
He disappointed first time over fences on his first run for a long time at Ayr, so we’re putting him back over hurdles in cheekpieces in a bid to sharpen him up. On his old form he would have a chance, but he needs to step up.

Oliver Sherwood, trainer of Jersey Wonder
He disappointed at Kempton last time but he came back with a little issue and also that race may have come a little soon after his first run back. We’ve taken him out of a couple of recent engagements after the ground went soft and hopefully he should be seen to good effect on the good to soft, good in places ground this time around.

Sean Curran, trainer of Domaine de L’Isle
He ran a nice race when fourth over the Grand National fences last time and we’re going back over hurdles to mix it up a bit.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Aviewtosea
He's a nice type and ran well for a long way at Ludlow last time. He should be suited by going up in trip and is a nice chasing prospect long term.

Martin Keighley, trainer of Brorson
He won nicely at Catterick last time following two solid runs at Cheltenham and should be suited by this longer trip. It’s a hot little race for Southwell but he’s a progressive type who’s going the right way.
Reporting by David Milnes

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets