'I'd love to qualify her' - who fancies their chances in the Pertemps qualifier?

Saturday: 3.35 Warwick
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) | 3m1f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Tightening the qualifying terms for the Pertemps Final was a masterful tweak to the series this season and runners must now finish in the first four to ensure their eligibility for the Cheltenham Festival feature.

The Warwick qualifier is the ninth in the series (two were lost to the weather) and five remain after this. Ashtown Lad is the only runner, barring balloting issues, who is guaranteed a position in the final field at the festival and it is all to play for.

Gordon Elliott was responsible for seven of the initial entries and runs Level Neverending after Sire Du Berlais was declared a non-runner on Friday.

Ronald Pump also makes the journey over from Ireland on his second start for Ciaran Murphy. The versatile former Stayers' Hurdle runner-up is well worth consideration.

While it is a worry this 145-rated hurdler lacks a 140+ Racing Post Rating in each of his last four starts, three of those were on good ground and Ronald Pump's superior form on testing conditions balances out that fear. He almost landed a Leinster National off 147 on heavy and that form is only ten months old.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Ashtown Lad gears up for Aintree aim

Becher Chase winner Ashtown Lad is back over hurdles following his heroics over the National fences as he gets ready for a return to Aintree for the big meeting in the spring – but not for the Grand National itself.

The nine-year-old was a two-and-a-quarter-length winner of the competitive handicap chase last month and has the Topham Chase as a major end-of-season target, as well as a possible tilt at the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival beforehand.

Ashtown Lad: an impressive winner of the Becher Chase last timeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Tom Messenger, assistant trainer to Dan Skelton, said: "He's come out of the Becher really well and we're looking back at going over the National fences at Aintree again in April – probably for the Topham.

"We like to give horses who've been over the big fences a run or two over hurdles to get back into the swing of things again and we'll see if he goes for the final after this."

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of On The Blind Side
On The Blind Side hasn't really been firing this season, but there have been some rays of sunshine in a few of his runs. It's a high-class race for its level with Ashtown Lad in there and the ground should be soft enough.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Glimpse Of Gala
I'd love to qualify her for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. She's been a great horse for her owners. It looks a slightly unusual qualifier in that two of the more fancied horses in the market are way up in the handicap. I think she'll run well.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

Read Saturday's previews:

2.05 Kempton: 'He's got to be the one to beat - the betting has got it right'

2.12 Fairyhouse: 'I think he has a big chance in a competitive race' - quotes for the Dan Moore

2.25 Warwick: course-and-distance winner Ginny's Destiny looks 'the perfect type'

2.40 Kempton: 'He's been aimed at this race all season' - Lanzarote Hurdle quotes and insight

3.00 Warwick: 'We're not sending him over for fresh air' - quotes for the Classic Chase

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