'He should have a good chance' - can Didtheyleaveuoutto go one better?

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) | 3m | 4yo+ | RTV

It's surely only a matter of time before Didtheyleaveuoutto gets his head back in front. That's what I've been thinking for more than a year now, but the Nick Gifford-trained gelding is still flattering to deceive.

It hasn't just been over hurdles, either. The nine-year-old has made the frame in the last two runnings of the Silver Trophy at Chepstow and finished second in this race last year. But he has also recorded figures of 3343 on his last four Flat starts and often caught the eye.

Didtheyleaveuoutto would no doubt have gone into many notebooks again when a strong-finishing fourth in the Silver Trophy on his return to hurdling at Chepstow last month, but recent history suggests he can't be trusted to build on that.

This race is over an extra four and a half furlongs, though, and maybe that will be the catalyst for him to break his losing run.

Didtheyleaveuoutto will carry the second colours of owner JP McManus and it's Geordie Des Champs who sports the famous white cap.

Trainer Rebecca Curtis has saddled just one winner from 28 runners at the course in the last five seasons, but Geordie Des Champs was second on his only visit here in 2016 and bids to go one better.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Flemcara
Touch wood he seems to be in good shape. He's getting older but he's been working away well and loves the track. Any rain they get would be a help and this looks a good starting point for him.

Nick Gifford, trainer of Didtheyleaveuoutto
The key to him is the ground and if it stays towards good then he should have a good chance. We were really pleased with his comeback effort in the Silver Trophy as it's a race he's had a few cracks at before, but it proved he needs a staying trip now. If the ground's in his favour, he ticks all the boxes for this.

James Evans, trainer of Risk And Roll
He's very well and had a good, nice break over the summer. It looks a good place to get him going again as he's run well here before and goes well when fresh. He wasn't beaten far here in a similar contest in February and was unlucky when hampered on his last start at Cheltenham. If he carries his form on from last season he should run well.

David Pipe, trainer of Siruh Du Lac
He's in good form, but the obvious thing is that he didn't show much in two starts last season and this is a fact-finding mission. He's had a wind operation since and has dropped in the ratings, but that's for a reason. We'll see where we are after this.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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