If The Cap Fits and We Have A Dream bid to state Champion case in Coral Hurdle

2.40 Ascot
Coral Hurdle | 2m3½f | Grade 2 | 4yo+ | ITV

This was supposed to be the launchpad for Laurina. We were supposed to find out whether she was cut from the same cloth as the stable’s previous winners, Annie Power and Faugheen. Dry skies have rained on that parade so instead we have to make do with some promising natives trying to throw their hats into the Champion Hurdle ring.

If The Cap Fits and We Have A Dream clashed in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton this month with neither able to live with Verdana Blue, but this looks a great opportunity for either to confirm the promise of their comebacks.

Harry Fry expects If The Cap Fits to be much sharper for Wincanton, his first defeat over hurdles, and reports suggest his schooling has gone swimmingly since.

Fry said: “He definitely showed his inexperience at Wincanton in that company, in all fairness it was only his fourth start over hurdles so he was probably entitled to be a little green.

“He should be much sharper for that outing, particularly with his jumping. It is a quick turnaround, but he’s a young horse and is very well.

“Obviously the ground conditions have kept the Irish horses at bay, which is to our advantage. He’s hasn’t done much work over the past couple of weeks as he hasn’t needed to, but this week we’ve just started to rev him up again and he schooled really nicely over hurdles.”

We Have A Dream and Daryl Jacob clear the last en route to success in the Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile HurdleCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

We Have A Dream has seven lengths to find with If The Cap Fits from their Wincanton tussle but Nicky Henderson believes the step up in trip will suit last season’s prolific juvenile.

“The extra trip should help, especially on the ground. It’s an interesting little contest and it’s a race I’d be hopeful he could run well in,” Henderson said.

Old Guard has been a busy boy of late. This will be his fourth start since October 21 but his gutsy third to Nietzsche in the Greatwood Hurdle on Sunday suggests he is thriving on racing.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: “He carried a big weight last week and it was a good run. If I’d have known this race would cut up as much as it has I may have skipped that race, but he seems in good shape. He’s a good, tough horse and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was in the money.”

Rayvin Black has nine wins on his CV and, while his official rating of 132 leaves him with lots to find on the figures, he has exceeded expectations before, most notably when taking the Kingwell Hurdle in 2016.

“He’s so well and has been ready to run for a month, I’ve just been desperate to get a run into him,” said trainer Oliver Sherwood. “He does need ground at least on the soft side of good to be seen at his best and we simply haven’t had that. There’s no ulterior motive or clever plan – we just can’t wait to get a spin into him.”

The six-runner field is completed by Tomngerry and Babbling Stream.

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