Punting pointers: First Assignment out to pass another examination

3.00 Cheltenham
Regulatory Finance Solutions Handicap Hurdle (Listed) | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV/RUK

First Assignment was well-supported prior to his last-gasp win in a 2m5f handicap hurdle at the track last month and connections will be hoping he can follow up on his first attempt at three miles under Rules.

A point-to-point winner over this trip, First Assignment finished second at Lingfield and fourth at Southwell before winning on handicap debut at Huntingdon.

First Assignment (left): pictured winning his point-to-point

He then ran a stormer when third to Sam's Gunner in the EBF Final at Sandown, a race which often produces top-flight performers.

Now running off a mark of 130, First Assignment faces a similarly unexposed rival in the shape of Olly Murphy's dual winner Weebill, although he has the benefit of a run and gives him 2lb.

Handicap debutant Weebill is also tackling three miles for the first time, but has looked in need of a staying trip.

Course specialists

Plenty of these boast course form. Anteros who won this race in 2016 and finished second to Thomas Campbell last year, while Dell' Arca won the 2013 Greatwood Hurdle on his British debut.

Paul Nicholls's lightly raced eight-year-old The Eaglehaslanded won at the course in April 2016, but perhaps of most appeal is Boyhood.

Yet to finish out of the first four in nine starts, Boyhood progressed rapidly last season, culminating in a seven-length defeat of Red Rising on New Year's Day. He went up 9lb for that win but hasn't been seen since.

Boyhood: returns to the trackCredit: Mark Cranham

Trainer Tom George said: "He's a course winner but had a setback last Christmas. He's been off the course for a long time but we're looking forward to getting him back on track."

Paddy Brennan, who enjoyed a treble at the track on Friday with wins on Red Hot Chilly, Bun Doran and Coolanly, is back on board.

What they say

David Pipe, trainer of Dell' Arca and Vieux Lion Rouge
Dell' Arca has topweight but he had a great summer and won't mind the better ground. He's very well. This is a prep for the Becher for Vieux Lion Rouge – he's rated lower over hurdles. This is a good starting point for him.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of The Eaglehaslanded
Good ground is important to him and he’s not had much of that over the last couple of years. He ran a really good race last time before getting tired in the ground from the second last. He should have come on a good bit from that run.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Goodbye Dancer
He's had a run at the October Cheltenham meeting and he'll be sharper now.

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