Chief Justice aims to confirm his star status for Gordon Elliott in Listed raid

2.30 Wetherby
Weatherbys Hamilton Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (Listed Race) (Class 1) | 3yo | 2m | RUK

This Listed event comes plenty early enough in the season for a three-year-old yet it can be a stepping stone for future stars.

The race is known for producing an upset or two, notably Maoi Chinn Tire’s 200-1 shock success for Jennie Candlish in 2010.

Top-class pair Countrywide Flame and Sceau Royal were among those beaten in the race in recent years, with Countrywide Flame going on to land the Triumph Hurdle in 2012 and Sceau Royal developing into a Grade 1-winning chaser.

Elliott seeking more overseas success

Cheveley Park are more familiar with celebrating Listed victories on the Flat than over jumps but have become just the latest high-profile operation to join the Gordon Elliott owners' roster.

The pair team up with Chief Justice, who attempts to make it three from three for Elliott in juvenile hurdles, and will face seven rivals.

Elliott, who has been sending plenty of his string to Britain in recent months as he already feels the Irish jumps' trainers' title is out of his reach, said: "Our horse is in good form and will like the good ground, but Cracker Factory could be tough to beat."

Factory aiming to crack on

Cracker Factory is the highest-rated and most experienced runner in the line-up and beat Chief Justice by seven lengths in June when the Elliott horse was with previous trainer Richard Fahey.

The three-year-old succumbed to his first defeat in four starts over hurdles on his last start, when beaten at odds-on at Market Rasen, but trainer Alan King nonetheless took positives from the display.

Alan King: 'We've targeted this race for some time and he's been training well since'Credit: Alan Crowhurst

He said: "We were happy with his second at Market Rasen giving weight to a horse rated higher on the Flat in Jack Regan. We've targeted this race for some time and he's been training well since."

Among the opposition are the Dan Skelton-trained King D'argent and Donald McCain's Ormesher, who each brings a perfect record into the race.

Pilgrims Soul and Alliteration have each run only once over hurdles, while the field is completed by Canadian George and Travel Lightly.

3.05 Wetherby
bet365 Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (Class 1) | 4yo+ | 2m3½f | RUK

Guitar Pete won this race last season before landing the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham two runs later.

The Nicky Richards-trained eight-year-old has been acquitting himself well since then, and a recent spin on the Flat at Ayr should ensure that any cobwebs have been dusted off before this mission, where he faces nine rivals.

Ginge out to make a splash

Fourth behind Guitar Pete in the race last year was Splash Of Ginge, who has been a shining light in the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard in recent seasons and makes his return.

Splash Of Ginge's victories have included the Betfair Hurdle in 2014 and more recently a winning reversal with Guitar Pete in the 2017 BetVictor Gold Cup. He so nearly landed his first Cheltenham Festival success when second to The Storyteller in March.

Splash Of Ginge: has done well over the winterCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"We were delighted with his performance at Cheltenham," said Twiston-Davies.

"He's been a fantastic servant for us and given us some great days. He's done well in the winter months and should have a squeak here."

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