Can Song For Someone lay claim to being the best hurdler in Britain?

3.18 Wincanton
Betway Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2) | 1m7½f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Two weeks ago it was the Irish hurdlers who went on trial for Cheltenham and this week, bar a couple of notable exceptions in Epatante and Silver Streak, it is the turn of the British.

Song For Someone announced himself as a top-class hurdler in the making when beating Diego Du Charmil in this race last year and he returns a better horse 12 months on.

Still only a six-year-old, Song For Someone has improved 8lb since his victory in this race last season on Racing Post Ratings and made it three Grade 2 wins on the spin when holding Silver Streak and a posse of others to win the International Hurdle at Cheltenham last time.

The low sun played a part as only five hurdles were jumped, but slick hurdling has been Song For Someone’s chief asset and he might have won easier had all eight flights been cleared.

Plenty have questioned the merit of the form given the bunched finish, but let’s not forget that Silver Streak went on to defeat Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Judged purely on that form, Song For Someone could be the best hurdler in Britain.

He might need to be if he is to repeat last year’s victory, though, because this season’s race is stronger and he has to carry a 6lb penalty. Hors La Loi III, in 2002, was the last to win two Kingwell Hurdles and he went on to land the Champion Hurdle later that same season.

If Song For Someone can give the weight and a beating to these rivals, he will go to Cheltenham with genuine claims of emulating that achievement.

Goshen was sent off 6-4 favourite for the aforementioned International Hurdle but finished 29 lengths behind the winner as last of ten after suffering from a fibrillating heart.

It might be possible to excuse that if it were a one-off, but Goshen had previously put in two dismal efforts at short odds on the Flat and he has questions to answer over his wellbeing.

Make no mistake, though, he is the most talented runner in the race judged on his Triumph Hurdle run at Cheltenham last March when he would have won by a long way but for unseating Jamie Moore at the last. Nothing will give him weight and a beating if he is on that form.

Navajo Pass finished fourth in that Triumph Hurdle and threw his hat into the Champion Hurdle ring when beating Buveur D’Air in a Grade 2 at Haydock last time.

However, the 2017 and 2018 Champion Hurdle hero didn’t look the force of old and Navajo Pass also must carry a 6lb penalty.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Goshen faces crucial test of his Champion credentials

Gary Moore will find out whether Goshen remains a viable contender for the Unibet Champion Hurdle when he has his second start of a tricky season in the Betway Kingwell Hurdle.

Goshen was a determined front-runner as a juvenile hurdler and slightly more restrained tactics did not suit in the International Hurdle, where he finished last of ten and beaten 29 lengths.

The weather has hampered attempts to run since, including in Sandown's Contenders Hurdle, and Moore is keen to see whether Goshen meets the required standard.

Goshen: bidding to get back to winning ways in the KingwellCredit: Edward Whitaker

Moore said: "It’s nice to get him out. He’s going to have to be on his A-game around there as it’s a sharp track and it probably won’t play to his strengths."

He added: "It’s a tough looking race and it will be either a good day or a bad day and we will find out on Saturday whether we still have a horse good enough for the Champion Hurdle.

"His build up has all been very good, although last week was a bit of a nightmare with the weather as we couldn’t really gallop him with everything being frozen. He has probably missed a gallop therefore but he seems fit enough and I couldn’t be happier with him."

Tom Symonds does not mind the attention being drawn on to others, with Song For Someone bidding to continue his excellent unbeaten campaign in a race he won last season.

The six-year-old won the Coral Hurdle at Ascot and beat subsequent Christmas Hurdle winner Silver Streak in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham, where he is 20-1 to win next month's Champion Hurdle.

Symonds said: “At Ascot people were talking about Laurina and at Cheltenham it was the same with Goshen. I don’t mind people talking about other horses and sneaking under the parapet as he just gets on with it.

Tom Symonds on Song For Someone: 'I don’t mind people talking about other horses and sneaking under the parapet'Credit: Edward Whitaker

“He was behind Silver Streak at the top of the hill and he was giving him a few pounds. It was great to see him win the Christmas Hurdle as it gives you a guide as to where you are.”

What they say

Brian Hughes, jockey of Navajo Pass
He won well the last day and he loves this sort of ground. It’s a good race but he fully deserves to take his chance.

Evan Williams, trainer of Esprit Du Large
He hasn’t had little falls so we're going back over hurdles to try and give him some confidence. It’s really not about his ability, hopefully his jumping back over hurdles will not be put under the same pressure it has over fences.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Friend Or Foe
He keeps on improving and creeping up the handicap. He has it all to do on ratings, but the ground will be very heavy at Wincanton and he’ll love that.
Reporting by Matt Butler

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