Pertemps Hurdle finalists back on track in festival qualifier

3.45 Cheltenham
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) | 3m | Class 2 | ITV4/RTV

Tobefair finished second in last season’s Pertemps Network Final at the Cheltenham Festival, and is a leading contender for this qualifier for the 2020 race.

After going down by a neck to Sire Du Berlais in a thrilling finish to the valuable handicap in March, Tobefair returned to Cheltenham the following month and went one better, beating Broughtons Admiral by five lengths.

That was the popular nine-year-old’s eighth success, and he starts his latest campaign off a career-high mark of 149.

However, he is still relatively lightly raced for his age after just 24 starts, and there could be even better to come.

Tobefair: returns off a career-high markCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Aye Right is a young hurdler going the right way, and it is perhaps significant that champion jockey Richard Johnson, who partnered him for the first time when successful at Kelso last month, is back on board.

This is another step up for the progressive six-year-old, but he has a real will-to-win, and could be just the type to make up into a useful handicapper this term.

His trainer Harriet Graham said: “It poured with rain on the way down, and I hope we don’t get too much more.

“The horse is very, very well. He’s got the right attitude – he wants to win – he really wants it. I’m delighted Richard is riding him again. We’ll see what happens on Saturday before making a plan for the rest of the season.”

Harry Whittington: saddles two key contendersCredit: Alice Whittington

Harry Whittington fields two interesting contenders in the shape of Captain Tommy, the mount of Gavin Sheehan, and the Bryony Frost-ridden Neverbeen To Paris.

Captain Tommy, runner-up in a Perth Listed hurdle on his last start in April, graduates to handicaps on a mark of 135 and looks to have plenty of scope for improvement.

Neverbeen To Paris, a fair handicapper on the Flat for Michael Bell, took well to hurdling in the spring, winning at Ludlow and Kempton, and takes the eye off just 10st 4lb.

Whittington said: “Captain Tommy is in great form at home. He’s a young, progressive horse, who will have to improve again for this step up in class. He’s very, very honest with a great attitude.

“Neverbeen To Paris ran a blinder at Stratford last time. He’s had the benefit of a run and is a fit, tough horse, who carries a low weight. I think he’ll improve for the step up in trip.”

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