Key questions as David Pipe seeks fourth win in Grade 3 with unexposed Umbrigado

2.25 Haydock
Betfair Best Odds On ITV Races Stayers' Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) | 3m½f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Can progressive Umbrigado join roll of honour?

This competitive Grade 3 has thrown up plenty of Cheltenham Festival clues in recent years and David Pipe – who has won the race three times – will be hoping the progressive Umbrigado can showcase his credentials.

The contest has been won over the past two years by last season's Stayers' Hurdle one-two Paisley Park and Sam Spinner, while Diamond Harry, Grands Crus and Dynaste have all landed the race in the last ten years.

Umbrigado showed plenty of promise last season, winning a bumper and two hurdles at Southwell and Exeter before finishing sixth to Reserve Tank at Aintree, but Pipe is hopeful his five-year-old can continue to improve.

Umbrigado (far right, yellow) was last seen finishing behind Reserve Tank at AintreeCredit: Alex Livesey

He said: "This race has been the plan for a while. We’re stepping him up to three miles and hopefully he’ll get it. He’s in good form and obviously 142 is a stiff enough mark but there’ll be a bit more improvement stepping up in trip."

It will be Umbrigado's first appearance since April and he has had a wind operation.

Pipe added: "He’s been fine since the wind op – he went for a gallop the other day and is in good order. We think he’ll get the trip but we don’t know for sure."

Will Eight And Bob make it a first for Mullins?

Willie Mullins isn't a frequent visitor to Haydock and the top Irish trainer will be bidding to secure his first win at the course with Eight And Bob.

He has only had four runners at the course but sends the useful hurdler to the venue for this £100,000 prize. The six-year-old has finished first or second in 12 of his last 15 starts both over obstacles and on the Flat.

Eight And Bob is often in the mix for Willie MullinsCredit: Caroline Norris

The six-year-old scored by a neck at Gowran Park last month and will have Robbie Power in the saddle for the first time.

"He’s proved himself a good and versatile money-spinner, winning four times over hurdles and twice on the Flat, and won over a similar trip at Gowran Park on his most recent start last month," Mullins said.

"The distance and ground will suit and and we have had this race in mind for him for some time."

Can Lisnagar Oscar get back on top?

Lisnagar Oscar returns to the scene of his last success having scored over the course and distance in a Grade 2 in February.

Having finished third to Champ in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at the end of last season, the six-year-old was beaten on chase debut and was 33 lengths behind Black Op at Stratford last time.

However, the Rebecca Curtis-trained runner was firmly in the mix before making a mistake three from home and could return to winning ways if able to translate his hurdles form.

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Flash The Steel and Diomede Des Mottes
I think Flash The Steel has got a right good chance. It's the race we've had in mind since Chepstow, that form is outstanding and the trip is no problem. We left Diomede Des Mottes in because he ran really well last time and there aren't many £100,000 races for three-milers. Taking 7lb off may just help him.

Jonjo O’Neill, trainer of Tedham
He’s in good form and we’re hoping for a good run. He ran okay at Cheltenham last month and was staying on but the race was over, so hopefully the step up in trip will help him.

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