'She should go very close' - plenty of confidence behind favourite in Grade 3 WillowWarm Hurdle

Six of the eight runners arrive on the back of a win, while the other two were placed, and initial preference is for Kala Conti after she landed a competitive handicap at Down Royal this month.

Her juvenile form from last season reads well enough to encourage her supporters that she can fend off some strong competition. 

After scoring on her debut at Navan, she ran a big race at Grade 3 level at Fairyhouse when narrowly denied by Nurburgring. That rival was also a smart juvenile, subsequently being placed at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown before bolting up in the Galway Hurdle in August. They pulled well clear of the third Eagle Fang, who isn't short on ability given he's scored twice since, including at the Punchestown festival, and finished third in the Lismullen on his latest start.

Kala Conti reversed the form with Nurburgring next time out when landing a Grade 2 and had the very promising Kargese behind in second before being beaten two and three-quarter lengths behind that rival in the Spring Juvenile at Leopardstown.

Last season's Irish juvenile crop seem worth following and Kala Conti advertised that when defying an admittedly lenient opening mark of 130 on her seasonal return at Down Royal. She is entitled to come on plenty for that and a bit more ease on the ground could see a big step forward.

More rain would also aid the cause of Bottler'secret, who seemed to find good ground and two miles too sharp on his seasonal return at Cheltenham last month when two lengths behind the reopposing Givemefive.

He took Grade 2 and Grade 3 honours last season and his form ties in with Kala Conti given he was a length and a half behind Kargese at Punchestown, but all those efforts came on soft ground. He will come on for his return and if the rain comes, he would be the selection.

Twice a winner in France, Anzadam, who sports a hood, is the unknown in the race on his Irish debut for Willie Mullins, having not been seen in over a year since his latest win at Compiegne. He will have to be smart to make a winning start for Clossuton.

Givemefive: won well at Cheltenham last timeCredit: john grossick

Givemefive was well held over course and distance behind Bottler'secret on soft ground in April, but reversed that form at Cheltenham. However, on 6lb better terms he is not guaranteed to uphold that form.

Wodhooh is a perfect five from five over hurdles and has a tremendous attitude, while she is versatile going-wise. She is hard to knock but faces a new level of opposition here returning from a break.

Another contender with a likeable attitude is Eagles Reign, who is treated well on these terms. He could figure if the ground is not too quick, while Dodger Long split Bottler'secret and Givemefive last time out and is on better terms.

What they say 

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Bottler'secret
He's laid back and was a bit rusty at Cheltenham but has sharpened up since. Good ground also probably caught him out over the trip. He handles the ground fine but the ground combined with the trip was a touch sharp. He’s 6lb better off with Givemefive this time so hopefully we’ll see a different result.

Harry Derham, trainer of Givemefive
This has been the plan for a couple of weeks now. He came out of his run at Cheltenham really well and it’s down to Mr [Ruby] Walsh he’s going to Fairyhouse. He said to me that it’s really tough for four-year-olds against older horses in handicaps. I want to keep him for some of those nicer handicaps in the spring and not give him a real hard time this side of Christmas. If we could get him to the Betfair Hurdle in February, rated in the mid 130s, that would be nice.

Harriet Dickin, trainer of Dodger Long
He has every right to be there and I think he’ll be in the first four. He is 3lb better off with Givemefive, who beat him at Cheltenham. Every time he's run he's produced a career best, and there is no reason he can't do so again.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Kala Conti and Wodhooh
We had a feeling Kala Conti might be well handicapped going into this season and she got the job done nicely at Down Royal. She deserves to step up in grade and we thought this was the perfect race. She should go very close. Wodhooh is a winning machine and it was such a shame she missed the second half of last season. It will be great to get her back to the track and hopefully she will go well, although she will probably improve for her first run back.

Read the rest of our Saturday previews:

1.54 Newbury: 'She will be happy with everything' - does Nicky Henderson hold the key to this valuable handicap hurdle? 

2.10 Newcastle: Sir Gino vs Mystical Power - analysis and trainer comments for Fighting Fifth showdown 

2.25 Newbury: 'He's an exciting prospect' - Gary Moore bullish about one of his runners as stable seeks back-to-back Gerry Feilden victories 

3.00 Newbury: 'This race has been his target all season' - Broadway Boy set for bold bid in a Coral Gold Cup to savour 

3.20 Newcastle: 'His work has been very good - we've got no excuses' - who is confident for the Rehearsal at Newcastle? 

Top jockeys such as Harry Cobden can't do their jobs without it – and you can subscribe to Racing Post Members' Club Ultimate Monthly and get 50% off your first three months! Available to new subscribers purchasing Members' Club Ultimate Monthly using code MEMBERS24. First three payments will be charged at £24.98, subscription renews at full monthly price thereafter. To cancel please contact us at least seven days before subscription is due to renew.