Nicky Henderson hoping wind operation will improve Divin Bere

4.50 Cheltenham
Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) | Old course | 2m½f | 4yo | RUK

A ferociously competitive handicap for four-year-olds, with any number of the 22 runners holding realistic claims.

Nicky Henderson, who landed the prize in 2012 with 40-1 shot Une Artiste, is three-handed this time, with Divin Bere firmly established at the top of the market.

A wind operation since his Huntingdon victory on debut for the stable in January could well be the difference between victory and defeat, and plenty of punters are likely to latch onto this valuable piece of information.

Ireland have won two of the last ten renewals, and the Tony Martin-trained Long Call, who has prepared for this assignment with a victory at Hereford and a Ludlow second, looks in pole position to improve that record.

A big run from northern challenger Project Bluebook would come as no surprise. The John Quinn-trained horse was seriously impressive in taking a Musselburgh handicap off a mark of 127 in January, after which he was purchased by JP McManus.

Nicholls excels

Paul Nicholls has a tremendous record in recent years, winning it three times with Diego Du Charmil (2016), Qualando (2015) and Sanctuaire (2010). He relies on Dolos, the mount of Sam Twiston-Davies, and the Stan Sheppard-partnered Dreamcatching.

Keep an eye on French-breds

French-breds have dominated with six wins in 12 runnings. A French-bred has also finished first or second in the last five renewals. The favourite Divin Bere fits the bill.

Tongue tie key to Poker Play?

Poker Play, beaten at 1-3 on his debut for David Pipe at Kempton in January, is now fitted with a tongue tie. Bought for £280,000 late last year, it would be no surprise to see a much more polished performance.

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Divin Bere, Domperignon Du Lys and Percy Street
We’ve done a little something with Divin Bere’s wind since his last run, which we were waiting to do, and he’s been going well. He’s top weight, but not too badly handicapped on form, while Domperignon Du Lys has been doing everything right all year and is in good form. Percy Street was beaten at Sandown last month, but the horse who beat him won back there on Saturday so that form looks solid. Di Winter died only a fortnight ago so it would be poignant to win it.

Alan King, trainer of Fidux, Rainbow Dreamer and Dino Velvet
Dino Velvet could run really well. I was pleased with his second in an open handicap at Ludlow as they went quicker than he’d gone before, but his jumping stood up to the test. He’s the one of our trio who looks the best treated at the weights. Fidux is coming back down to a more realistic mark - having been 144 he’ll run off 135 and that’s more like it. He ran up to his best behind Master Blueyes at Kempton and this stiffer test should suit him. Rainbow Dreamer ran as well as could have been expected behind Defi Du Seuil last time. There were only four runners that day and he had a lot of daylight, but he’ll be better suited by this bigger field. He’s fresh and well, and we’ll again use the visor which helps him.

Tony Martin, trainer of Long Call
I’m very happy with him. He’s in good form and the ground should be fine for him.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Dolos and Dreamcatching
The form of the Taunton race in which Dolos finished third last time looks solid as the winner Air Horse One and runner-up The Unit have both won since. He’ll be better off back in his own age group. Dreamcatching won nicely at Wincanton last month. He didn’t beat much, and it’s a bit of a guess as to whether he’s well in or not.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Dakota Moirette and Icario
Dakota Moirette is consistent, and better ground than he has been racing on shouldn’t be an issue. The same applies to Icario, who has kept finding one too good through the season.

Brian Ellison, trainer of Nietzsche
He’s been working well and goes there in good form. He has progressed this year, winning his last two starts which have coincided with us putting the hood back on him.

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