Exciting Son Of Camas an interesting contender on handicap debut after wind op

3.25 Cheltenham
Paddy Power First Millionaire Qualifier Intermediate Handicap Hurdle | 2m5f, 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Rewind to the end of this month last year and there probably were not many more exciting novice hurdlers in Britain than Son Of Camas, who had beaten the highly touted King Roland at Newbury in what had looked one of the strongest maiden hurdles run all season.

Almost 12 months on, we now know that race was not as strong as originally thought. It might have thrown up five subsequent winners, but nothing has since made their mark in Graded company and that includes the winner, who was beaten on both starts afterwards.

However, that was in Graded company and not just any Graded races. Son Of Camas tasted defeat in two Grade 1s behind top-class rivals like Fiddlerontheroof and Envoi Allen. One thing is for sure: he won't face anything of that quality now he is dropped into a handicap.

Nicky Henderson has given Son Of Camas wind surgery since his last run in the Ballymore over course and distance in March and the trainer has a 28 per cent strike-rate with runners having their first outing after an op since the data was first made available in January 2018.

He is not the only trainer trying those tactics. David Pipe won this in 2010 with the rapidly improving Grands Crus and his runner this year, Kepagge, has also had wind surgery.

Pipe has a less spectacular ten per cent strike-rate with runners having their first start since an op, but Kepagge is unbeaten under rules and the forecast rain should play to his strengths.

Captain Tom Cat does not want the rain as he bounced off good ground when successful over course and distance last month, when he had Whatsupwithyou and Dagueneau in behind.

Whatsupwithyou won a maiden hurdle on heavy at Ascot last year and appeared to be done for speed behind Captain Tom Cat last time. A greater emphasis on stamina would suit him.

Graeme Rodway, tipster

What they say

David Pipe, trainer of Kepagge
He was good last year. He races off top weight, but is a big horse and that shouldn't affect him. He wants the rain to come. He's starting in handicaps off 137, and I'd hope he can be competitive off that mark.

Alan King, trainer of Lord Lamington and Nebuchadnezzar
Weight could be an issue for Lord Lamington. He should be spot-on after a couple of runs on the Flat and could be suited by this step up in trip. I fear he is on too high a mark. Nebuchadnezzar ran much better on his second start, when finishing third at Taunton, and it looks as though a step up in trip will benefit him.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Son Of Camas
I like him a lot. The plan is to go chasing. He's a big, burly horse and jumps fences very well. This will sharpen him up a bit, but I expect him to run well.

Richard Newland, trainer of Captain Tom Cat
He is in fine form at home and I'm delighted with him. He completed his last piece of work on Wednesday and we couldn't be happier with him. It is obviously a very tough ask to go and win and complete the four-timer. These Cheltenham races are obviously very hard to win. We have got to get the tactics right on him, but he's in great order. I'm really looking forward to running him.

Kim Bailey, trainer of Shinobi
He's won two novice hurdles already this season and, off his rating he's better off running in a handicap than trying to carry a double penalty in another novice. We'll see where we are with him. He's definitely better on good ground.

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