Will one of the County Hurdle's dominant duo be adding to their haul?

2.10 Cheltenham
Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle | 2m1f | 5yo+ | New course | ITV/RTV

Trainers Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins have dominated this race in the last five years and both are represented at the top of the market.

Skelton has been mob-handed in this race in recent years but will only saddle 2018 winner Mohaayed this time around.

Form figures suggest he should not be strongly considered but Skelton has clearly had this race in mind with the eight-year-old, who has good course form, had wind surgery in January and is just 3lb higher than when victorious two years ago.

He needs to improve on his latest outings but has had a three-month break and is 11lb lower than when ninth behind stablemate Ch'tibello 12 months ago.

On the other hand, Mullins has four runners in the race, headed by the in-form Ciel De Neige. The son of Authorized will have to defy trends as he remains a maiden after seven starts, but five-year-olds have a good record in the race and he represents shrewd connections.

I'm not convinced he should be favourite, though, with stablemate Aramon holding better claims. A Grade 1-winning novice hurdler last year, Aramon had a hard campaign and wasn't disgraced when sixth in the Supreme at the festival.

He has been given two tough tasks against Sharjah and Honeysuckle this year and now drops into handicap company off a mark of 148.

Saint Roi and Rathhill catch the eye at the other end of the handicap and remain unexposed but need to take big leaps forward, while Thatsy has been talked up by trainer Gordon Elliott at multiple preview nights and is to be ridden by Davy Russell – a combination not to be overlooked.
Analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Oakley, Le Ligerien and Zanza
Le Ligerien has improved enormously and hopefully he can cope with his new mark. Oakley is very consistent and deserves to get his head in front, while Zanza ran a fantastic race in the Beftair Hurdle and has an each-way chance.

Gary Moore, trainer of Beat The Judge
He wants better ground really but he’s got decent form and I think he goes in there with a live chance. He had a nice run on the Flat last time, which I was happy with, and he’s certainly not a no-hoper by any means.

Mohaayed: winner of the race in 2018 for Dan SkeltonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Dan Skelton, trainer of Mohaayed
I’m just really happy with him. We gave him a little wind op after Ascot, where I actually thought he ran quite well, and he’ll have the cheekpieces back on to help him that bit more. He’s won the race before and he knows what he’s doing.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Stolen Silver and Sir Valentine
Both ran well in the Betfair Hurdle and I think they both have live chances. They should both go on the ground but softer conditions will probably help Stolen Silver more.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Eldorado Allen
I think he got stuck in the mud at Sandown last time and I'm not too sure this is going to be any better. He's not Champion Hurdle class so this was the only option really and we'll just have to see how he gets on in a very competitive handicap.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Adjali, Elusive Belle & Rathhill
Adjali was making a noise so we've had his wind done and is looking good now. Elusive Belle has form behind Epatante and is quite classy. She just needs to settle and relax as she can be quite gassy. Rathhill is another coming back from a wind operation and has not had much racing so far.

Adjali (left): has undergone a wind operationCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Paul Townend, rider of Aramon
He has a good profile for the race. He is a Grade 1 winner dropping back to handicap company. He carries plenty of weight though because of that. He is probably up against it going on recent form, but he wasn’t beaten far by Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle and that was a big improvement from his first run. However, he will have to run a career-best to defy all the weight.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Moon Over Germany and Tiger Voice
Moon Over Germany should enjoy conditions. He's a classy chaser on his day. Tiger Voice was a bit disappointing at Leopardstown last time but he's a horse we like and hopefully he will run well.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Thatsy and Lethal Steps
Thatsy had a very good run in his first handicap at Christmas and didn't get the breaks next time. This test will suit him, especially the long run down to the last hurdle, so we're hoping for a big run. Lethal Steps has plenty of ability, but isn't the easiest to predict. This sort of race, where they go quick, will play to his strengths.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Scaramanga and Christopher Wood
I think it’ll probably be a bit soft for Scaramanga, but it’s been the aim all season. Christopher Wood very harshly went up 10lb for winning last time and that’s probably scuppered him, but he’s in good shape.

Spotlight verdict

As wide-open as ever. The one to appeal most is Saint Roi, who won very easily in a maiden hurdle last time and whose top trainer has a very good record in this race, so this choice of target catches the eye. This is a very promising youngster. Sir Valentine heads a long list of alternatives ahead of You Raised Me Up. The selection's stablemates Buildmeupbuttercup, Ciel De Neige and Aramon are others on the shortlist, along with Oakley.
Mel Cullinan

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