Scottish Champion Hurdle lowdown as Nube Negra bids to pull off long-term plan

2.25 AyrCPMS Scottish Champion Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) | 2m | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Can Nube Negra bounce back to form?

Trainer Dan Skelton is hoping his patient approach will pay off with Nube Negra, who has been aimed at this race since finishing eighth in the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November.

The five-year-old finished third on his latest start at Newbury and attempts to follow the example of Cheltenham Festival winner Ch'Tibello, who won this race for the Skeltons in 2016.

"When he was beaten in the Greatwood as a four-year-old we realised he needed a bit more time," said the trainer, whose string is in good form after high-profile winners at Cheltenham and Aintree.

"We wanted to find a nice race in the spring and we've had this in mind for a while. He's doing well."

Will Verdana Blue improve on last year?

Verdana Blue finished 11th in this last year and has since undergone a meteoric rise for trainer Nicky Henderson, who is triple-handed in the race.

The seven-year-old completed a hat-trick with victory in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November, before causing an upset in the Christmas Hurdle by beating stablemate Buveur D'Air.

Verdana Blue (near side) gets up on the line to beat Buveur D'Air in the Christmas HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Henderson last won this in 1986 with River Ceiriog and is expecting a big run from Crimbourne Stud's mare with good ground likely to suit.

The trainer said: "She's had a busy but productive season, finishing fifth in the Champion Hurdle last time. She ran in this last year, although not very successfully, but the ground will suit, which helps."

Verdana Blue carries top weight, with Connor Brace taking off 7lb, Nico de Boinville rides Mister Fisher, and Aidan Coleman is on Brain Power.

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"Mister Fisher is a good horse but still a novice," said Henderson. "However, Claimantakinforgan was a novice last year and managed to finish second in this.

"Brain Power will love the ground and is in good form, although he was disappointing and had to be pulled up in the Champion Hurdle."

Can Smith win successive runnings?

The last favourite to land this race was Sanctuaire in 2011, a statistic which bodes well for the Sue Smith-trained Captain Moirette, who could be backed at around 20-1 on Friday.

Smith won last year's race with 25-1 shot Midnight Shadow and has no reservations about rolling the dice again with Captain Moirette.

Captain Moirette: 'He's still a novice but he's done everything nicely so far,' says trainer Sue SmithCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The seven-year-old has made only four starts over hurdles and has won the last two, most recently at Haydock in March.

"We're hopeful of a nice run," said Smith. "He's still a novice but he's done everything nicely so far. It's a big ask but we're happy with him and hopeful of a big run."

What they say

Richard Newland, trainer of Leoncavello
He's been working very nicely, so I'm hopeful. He ran a mighty race at Ludlow last summer on good ground, so conditions should suit.

Alan King, trainer of Redicean and Dino Velvet
We’ve been down the all-weather route with Redicean and he won twice before not being beaten far on his last couple of outings. The time is right to send him back over hurdles and he should run a big race. Dino Velvet is in really good heart and has won his last two. The handicapper has forced our hand a bit and this is a step up the class ladder.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Malaya
She won the Imperial Cup in totally different conditions but does like good ground. It's a competitive race but she should run well.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Caius Marcius
He's consistent and did very well last summer, being placed in good races. His last race should be ignored as he wasn’t himself – he's had a good break since and has come back fresh.

Harry Whittington, trainer of Anemoi
He's stepping up in class but ran with credit on his handicap debut. We've tweaked his wind since then and he's still a young progressive novice. The ground and track should suit and he's got a lot of ability. He's carrying a nice weight too.

Tom Lacey, trainer of Equus Amadeus
The faster the ground the better – all his best form is on rock-solid ground. He's in a tongue-tie for the first time. It's probably out of his grade but it would be nice to see him run well.

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