Langer Dan camp hoping 'to blow cobwebs away' before another Martin Pipe bid

Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Hurdle | 2m½f | 4yo+ | RTV

Langer Dan can be considered one of the unluckiest losers at last season's Cheltenham Festival having bumped into the best-handicapped horse at the entire meeting in Galopin Des Champs.

The Willie Mullins-trained star was winning the Martin Pipe off a mark of 142 and demonstrated how well treated he was there by landing a Grade 1 novice hurdle by 12 lengths on his next outing.

That Langer Dan was beaten only two and a half lengths by Galopin Des Champs and pulled nine lengths clear of the third, in an ultra-competitive handicap, suggests he remains well treated off 5lb higher.

This is his first start since but it is hard to believe he will be fully fit with all roads leading to a repeat bid in the Martin Pipe next month, for which he is the top-priced 8-1 favourite.

Langer Dan was beaten on his comeback last season but could still advance his claims without winning here, so keep an eye on how bookmakers react to his performance.

Of the opposition, Timberman is worth focusing on. The seven-year-old was thought good enough to contest a Grade 1 at Aintree last season and produced a career-best last time when reeling in the talented Paso Doble under a brilliantly timed hold-up ride from Liam Harrison. A mark of 125 could yet underestimate the extent of his ability.

Fontana Ellissi, the other last-time-out winner, also merits plenty of respect. Sam Drinkwater's representative has improved in all four starts since joining the stable and impressed at Ffos Las three weeks ago.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Tom Messenger, assistant trainer to Dan Skelton, trainer of Langer Dan
He had a hold up in the autumn hence why he hasn't run yet, and we're looking to go back to Cheltenham for the Martin Pipe again. When you say you bumped into one like Galopin Des Champs, I think that was the perfect definition of it! We're hoping to blow the cobwebs away before he goes for another bid at Cheltenham, it will be straight to there after this.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Timberman
He's missed a couple of engagements because of the ground and he had a core in his foot. He's a lovely horse who is straightforward and very consistent. He's in good form so fingers crossed he'll run well again.

Sam Drinkwater, trainer of Fontana Ellissi
We aimed a bit high on his first couple of starts for us, but he dropped to a nice mark and won nicely last time. I don't think he'd totally be in love with the track as it may be too sharp for him, but we hope he keeps progressing.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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