Paul Nicholls runs two in race he last won in 2011

3.40 Cheltenham
Citipost Handicap Hurdle | 3m, 4yo+ | ITV4/RUK

KEY QUESTIONS

Will Worthy Farm continue to improve?

You would think the Paul Nicholls-trained Worthy Farm would prefer testing conditions seeing as he is named after the venue for the often-muddy Glastonbury festival.

However, the five-year-old has appeared on good ground only and gets the same conditions again here in a race his trainer last won with Oscargo in 2011.

Nicholls also runs The Eaglehaslanded, who was fifth in a Listed contest at this track last month, but Harry Cobden is booked for Worthy Farm and the five-year-old appears to be the stable's number one.

Worthy Farm scored over this 3m trip at Taunton last time, and Nicholls said: "He seemed to improve when winning at Taunton and looks a progressive type.

"If he can step forward again he should run another nice race. He stays very well."

Conditional Alexander Thorne comes in for the ride on The Eaglehaslanded, and Nicholls added: "He was a bit disappointing last time and needs to bounce back, but the plan is to send him chasing after this."

Can Newland's Lad handle step up in class?

Richard Newland is hopeful that course experience will help the fancied Aaron Lad, who landed his first win of the season from Jersey Bean at Market Rasen last time.

The seven-year-old was winning over just short of this 3m trip that day and had previously finished a close sixth in a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier over this course and distance when The Eaglehaslanded and Goodbye Dancer, who also reopposes, were in arrears.

Aaron Lad is up 9lb for his latest win but Newland said: "He's come out of Market Rasen exceptionally well and, although it's a step up in class, he's in good shape.

"He's 9lb higher in the handicap but seemed to enjoy running around Cheltenham on his previous outing."

Will it be bye bye Buywise?

Veteran Buywise could be retired if he fails to show any spark on his 33rd outing over jumps, during which time he has been a fine servant for owner Hywel Jones and trainer Evan Williams.

Buywise, who will turn 12 on New Year's Day, has recently failed to recapture the form that has propelled him to seven victories, the latest of which came over fences at Sandown in January this year.

Buywise: his last victory came over fences at Sandown in JanuaryCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Before that, Buywise had produced some classy placed efforts, including fourth in the Grade 3 Ultima Chase at Cheltenham in 2017.

His trainer said: "The old boy might be coming to end of the road if he doesn't show something in this race.

"We've stuck my daughter Isabel on him to see if she can humour him around, but if we don't see anything that might be it. It's a shame as he's been a grand old servant."

What the others say

Warren Greatrex, trainer of Keeper Hill
He was a little disappointing in the West Yorkshire Hurdle but he'd had a couple of falls and may just have been a bit rusty. He's in good form and he might be favourably handicapped. He'll stay the trip and he'll like the ground.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Goodbye Dancer and Wicked Willy
It was a very good run from Goodbye Dancer at Cheltenham last time and he only just lost second. I'm hoping he'll build on it. We've stuck a tongue-tie on Wicked Willy, which we're hoping will bring about improvement.

Harry Kelly, trainer of Great Trango
We'd have hoped for ground a bit softer than it is, but we're here and we're going to take our chance. He's in very good form and we think he'll run well. Fingers crossed he comes home safe and sound.

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Clondaw Native
He would prefer softer ground but stays all day and seems happier over hurdles these days than fences.

Henry Daly, trainer of Lydon Rock
He goes there in good form and the step up in trip could be the key to him. He'll handle the ground.

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