Wholestone back where he likes it and bidding to keep Relkeel crown

3.10 CheltenhamDornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle | 2m4½f (New) | Grade 2 | ITV/RTV

Wholestone dislikes Newbury. But he loves Cheltenham.

Two years running he has flopped when fancied for Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle, finishing fifth there in November.

Now trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies hopes, just like last New Year’s Day, he can follow defeat with victory in a race named after the hugely popular hurdler of the 1990s, Relkeel.

Form figures of 12113123 at Cheltenham underline how much Wholestone enjoys a track where he was good enough to finish third in last season’s Stayers’ Hurdle, a race for which he is a top-priced 33-1 in March.

Twiston-Davies said: “He was very disappointing at Newbury last time, but was in the same race last year as well, so maybe he doesn't like it there.

“But then he came and won this race and we know he likes Cheltenham. The ground is fine – everything is fine.”

In front of Wholestone at Newbury was Clyne, a spirited runner-up to Unowhatimeanharry, a performance that built on his excellent third in a Grade 1 at Aintree in April.

Clyne gets weight off four of his five rivals and trainer Evan Williams said: “He ran a very solid race at Newbury. His run before that at Aintree was exceptional, a career best, and if he runs as well as that he'll take a good deal of beating.

“With the penalty structure it’s a chance to win a decent prize. My one concern is the ground. It will be the quickest we’ve run him on.”

Shadow 'very special' says Smith

Midnight Shadow: produced a career-best last time out at AintreeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

A step up in trip has benefited Midnight Shadow, who produced a career-best when winning at Aintree in December on a first try over two and a half miles.

Trainer Sue Smith said: "He came out of his win at Aintree very well and won nicely that day. He likes soft ground and I think he's very special.

"He won the Scottish Champion Hurdle last season and the idea is to keep him over hurdles and see if he can improve again."

Old Guard was fourth to Wholestone in last year’s Relkeel but will be much better suited by the quicker conditions this time.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: “He’ll love the ground, and two and a half miles suits him better than two miles, which is a bit sharp for him. He’s had a busy old time but should run a tidy race.”

No spin, no win

Thomas Campbell, who won twice over hurdles at Cheltenham last season, reverts to the smaller obstacles after a mixed experience over fences.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: “He jumped very well at Newbury over fences behind La Bague Au Roi but wasn't very good over fences last time and is not very big. But he's in good form and might just enjoy himself with a spin over hurdles.”

Thomas Campbell (centre): won over hurdles twice at Cheltenham last seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cyrus Darius has his third start for trainer Colin Tizzard since switching from Ruth Jefferson’s yard. Joe Tizzard, assistant trainer to father Colin, said: “He travelled so well at Haydock until he made a mistake. We don’t know why he ran so poorly last time at Ascot.

“We’ve decided to give him another spin to see where we're at and then possibly go chasing with him next.”

Big attendance

A crowd of around 24,000 is expected at Cheltenham with a pleasant day's forecast.

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse said on Monday: “We’re good to soft, good in places and we don’t anticipate that will change as there's plenty of moisture in the ground. The forecast is for it to remain dry, at around 8C or 9C, with some sunnier spells.

"We’re expecting around 24,000 here, and if it's a nice morning a lot will be walk-ups. People can tend to arrive a bit later on New Year’s Day and we've had a bit of queuing. But people can still buy tickets online in the morning, which would be a great help for everyone.”

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