Itchy Feet 'the one to beat' as Murphy's star steps up in trip in Rendlesham

2.05 Haydock
William Hill Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) | 3m½f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Many of the chief protagonists have questions to answer including the likely favourite Itchy Feet.

The seven-year-old, whose exploits over fences last season included landing the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown, bled in his defeat to Dashel Drasher at Ascot in December when he was last seen.

This is also a step up in trip for Olly Murphy's runner, the furthest he has encountered so far being 2m5f.

Last year's winner Emitom also returns to hurdling after two defeats in novice chases, and this will be his first start since a wind operation.

He produced a career-best in this race 12 months ago when slamming Donna's Diamond by eight lengths, and his trainer Warren Greatrex has a good record with horses first time back after undergoing such corrective surgery.

Stayers' Hurdle hero Lisnagar Oscar, who created a huge festival shock when beating Ronald Pump by two lengths at odds of 50-1 last March, has also had a breathing operation since his latest run.

There have been some upbeat reports about the eight-year-old old recently, reflected in market support this week.

On The Blind Side is perhaps the contender most likely to give his running. Nicky Henderson's nine-year-old brings a thoroughly consistent profile to the race, his most recent win being a neck defeat of Lil Rockerfeller at Market Rasen.

The return to a left-handed track could enable the prolific Main Fact to bounce back from a disappointing performance in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

That defeat ended a remarkable winning run of nine – both on the Flat and over hurdles – for David Pipe's mudlover, who simply bulldozes his way through the sort of testing ground he is certain to encounter at Haydock.

All those victories were achieved going left-handed, including a two-and-three-quarter-length success over Third Wind at the Merseyside venue in November.

The runner-up reopposes on 5lb better terms.
Analysis by Richard Birch

Greatrex hoping for a repeat victory

The French-trained Kasbah Bliss was the last horse to win back-to-back runnings of this event, and last year's winner Emitom returns to match those exploits after a recent wind operation cut short a career over fences.

Trainer Warren Greatrex said of his penalised runner: "The plan has been to come here ever since his wind op and he's fresh from a nice break. He's back over hurdles, but the plan is to go back to chasing later on. He'll enjoy the ground which looks as if it will be similar to last year. The only drawback is he's got to carry a penalty this year, but I still expect him to be thereabouts."

Emitom wins last year's Rendlesham Hurdle and will be bidding for a repeat on SaturdayCredit: Grossick Photography

What they say

David Pipe, trainer of Main Fact
He's had a long break as we had hoped to run him in the Cleeve Hurdle before it was called off. He's won around Haydock before and I don't think he ran to his best in the Long Walk last time so hopefully he can run a decent race.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of On The Blind Side
He's loved being back over hurdles and has been very consistent. He's been in very good form and still is, I hope.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Itchy Feet
We're reverting to running him over hurdles to get him going again and he's well in at the weights. He has some serious form to his name over hurdles in the past and looks the one to beat. He is going up in trip to three miles, but we'll ride him accordingly.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Third Wind
We fancied him last time when he was slightly disappointing, but if he runs his race he'll run respectably. On ratings he'll have to up his game as this is a deeper race, but that's not out of the question.
Reporting by David Milnes

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