Back for more: King bids to extend fantastic recent race record with Valleres

Ballymore Winter Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m4f | ITV4/RTV

This field have combined form figures over hurdles this season of 1111112, the sole defeat being Valleres's behind Threeunderthrufive at Ludlow. That was still an improvement in form terms and is just 4lb off the top-rated in this race on RPRs. Incidentally, last year's winner Enrilo was beaten in the same race as Valleres at Ludlow on his previous run.

This is probably the last Graded novice hurdle in the season in which the players tend to have little or no prior big-race form. That makes it something of a hurdling equivalent to Royal Ascot's juvenile races, in which punters must assess a lot of impressive maiden or novice wins rather than solid Pattern form.

The early market has been influenced most by Star Gate's Chepstow defeat of Everglow. The latter had good bumper form and was not completely disgraced in the Persian War behind McFabulous on his hurdling debut, but he was swept aside by Star Gate, who looked as green in the race as he reportedly had been in the paddock. Improvement is readily anticipated, albeit it has been accordingly priced in.

Star Gate: improvement anticipatedCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Sending Love would be the oldest winner since Labelthou back in 2006. He missed three years after his easy point win (runner-up Dandolo Du Gite runs over fences in the 1.15) and took three runs to win over hurdles. When he did, it was easy and, but for his chequered past, he would be a warm order on the strength of that win and his powerful connections.

Analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Sending Love
The more rain they get, the better it will suit him. He won on testing ground last time at Ffos Las when we didn't think he was really ready so I hope he has a leading chance. It's a good race and always takes a bit of winning.

Evan Williams, trainer of Star Gate
He's very babyish but we felt it better to go here than carry a penalty somewhere else. It's a very good race.

Alan King, trainer of Valleres
He won well at Wetherby, is not far behind the best of these on ratings and will be better suited by this slower ground than the quicker surface he finished second on at Ludlow last time. That was a good run and he should find this stiffer track more in his favour.
Reporting by David Carr

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