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'Highway One O One has plenty going for him and the trip should suit'
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) | 3m | 4yo+ | RTV
The younger, progressive sorts in the line-up will probably have the final of this series at the Cheltenham Festival as a long-term aim, but some are making their seasonal debut and may not be fully tuned up for this, which could provide an opportunity for the veteran Dell' Arca to pick up a third win in the race.
The 12-year-old, successful in 2017 and last year, has put in below-par efforts on his last two starts, but showed he retains ability when victorious in a competitive handicap hurdle at Haydock in May.
The hat-trick seeking One For You sneaks in at the bottom of the weights following two wins at Ludlow and Market Rasen, comfortably beating the reopposing Highway One O One at the latter track, and he's the pick of the Philip Hobbs-trained pair on jockey bookings, with Tom O'Brien taking the ride.
Polish was impressive over course and distance on Betfair Hurdle day and subsequently won on the Flat, while Didtheyleaveuoutto's second in the Grade 3 Silver Trophy last month is the pick of the recent form.
Spiritofthegames is a regular in big-race handicaps over hurdles and fences. This race could be a pipe-opener before he heads back over fences, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup – a race he was second in last year – a probable target.
Race analysis by Matt Rennie
What they say
Jane Williams, trainer of Agrapart
He's not getting any younger but still maintains all his enthusiasm and hopefully this will set him up for his regular mid-winter targets such as Cheltenham over New Year. Hopefully he'll enjoy himself although the ground will probably be on the quick side for him.
Dan Skelton, trainer of Spiritofthegames
We're getting his season started after a wind operation and I'm not jumping up and down about his chances but he would have an each-way shout. If all goes well he could head to the Paddy Power at Cheltenham.
Jamie Snowden, trainer of Stoney Mountain
It's a competitive race and a top-six finish would be nice as we plan to run him in the final of the race at Cheltenham in March. He had an interrupted season last year but is back over hurdles and we'll see how it pans out.
Nick Gifford, trainer of Didtheyleaveuoutto
We were delighted with his comeback second at Chepstow last month when he shaped as if this step up in trip would suit him and we're hopeful he'll get it with the ground still on the good side.
Chris Gordon, trainer of Highway One O One
The team have been running well but we keep hitting the goalposts and I expect he'll do the same. He has plenty going for him, including the track and ground, and we expect him to be suited by the trip.
Philip Hobbs, trainer of One For You
One For You is having his first run of the campaign and should appreciate the drying ground.
Reporting by David Milnes
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