Love Envoi takes first step on path towards Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham

Saturday: 2.20 Sandown
Betfair Daily Rewards Handicap Hurdle | 2m | 3yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Love Envoi, winner of the Grade 2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, launches her campaign in handicap company off a mark of 139.

The Harry Fry-trained runner completed a six-timer at the festival but lost her unbeaten record a month later at Fairyhouse when going down by eight lengths to the Willie Mullins-trained Brandy Love in a Grade 1 contest.

Hopes are high the daughter of Westerner will develop into a serious contender for the Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle back at the Cheltenham Festival, and Fry is looking forward to getting her started.

"The combination of the course and ground will be to her liking – I've never known the hurdle course not being soft at Sandown – and it's going to be fascinating to see her make her handicap debut and running against the boys," he said in his Grosvenor Casinos blog.

"We need to get her season under way, and this is very much what Saturday is. We're going there hoping she runs well.

"All last season she surprised us every time and answered every question, whether it was trip, ground or upped in grade. We've made no secret that we're gearing her campaign around heading back to Cheltenham in March and having a go at the Mares' Hurdle. Saturday is very much just the starting point."

Arguably the most fascinating of Love Envoi's nine rivals is the 142-rated Venetia Williams recruit Martator, who finished second in an Auteuil Grade 1 hurdle in May 2021.

The five-year-old has undergone wind surgery since moving to Britain, and his new trainer said: "He's a small horse. It will be interesting to see what he makes of racing over here."

Playful Saint, who bypassed the Greatwood Hurdle last month on account of quick ground, is expected to enjoy underfoot conditions at Sandown.

"It's a deep race, but he could be a pound or two better going right-handed," said trainer Dan Skelton.

Jane Williams expects a bold performance from Hermes Boy and said: "Our horses were not running too well a month ago when he returned at Worcester, but they're in much better form now and if he's improved for that outing he should have every chance of running into the frame."

Friend Or Foe is "not the best handicapped" according to trainer Paul Nicholls, and is expected to go back chasing soon.

Read more of Saturday's previews:

1.30 Aintree: 'We're confident in what we've seen at home' - Ahoy Senor on revival mission

1.45 Sandown: 'It's a Grade 1 so it's no giveaway' - Henderson on hot favourite Jonbon

2.05 Aintree: 'This has been the plan with him since March' - Becher Chase quotes and insight

2.55 Sandown: 'If he's back to his best he's the one to beat' - Shishkin returns in Tingle Creek

3.30 Sandown: 'We think there's plenty more to come from him' - key London National quotes

Fairyhouse: Can Champion Bumper star Facile Vega maintain unbeaten streak on hurdling debut?

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