Market leaders Kitzbuhel and Lucky Place arrive with questions to answer after last-time-out defeats

If Willie Mullins is going to cruise to the title as easily as the bookmakers seem to expect then this race will surely go back to Ireland because Kitzbuhel is one of the trainer's shortest-priced runners of the day. But does his form really entitle him to be such a warm order in a hot race?

He has the joint-highest BHA rating of the six runners, equal at the top on 153 with Lucky Place, but receives 2lb from that rival and that gives him a small edge on form, so the answer is yes.

However, Kitzbuhel was below his best when only fifth in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree last time and will need to bounce back from that to win here. Those who like him could point to the fact he isn’t the only one coming here after a poor display, though.

Lucky Place was beaten 26 lengths when only seventh behind Bob Olinger in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and the fact is all six of the field come here following a defeat. It might therefore come down to who can bounce back to their best on the day.

Lucky Place: winner of the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in JanuaryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nicky Henderson, who trains Lucky Place, does have form in that department because he has won this race three times in the last ten years and all his winners had been beaten on their previous starts. Although it must be said all of them ran better than Lucky Place did last time. 

Arguably the best last-time-out effort came from the Dan Skelton-trained Take No Chances, who was just 11 lengths behind Lossiemouth in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle three weeks ago.

That is the highest last-time-out RPR in the field when adjusted for weight and a reproduction would give her a chance, but don’t rule out stablemate Gwennie May Boy, who was behind Kitzbuhel at Aintree last time but is reunited with Charlie Todd. He is three from five on top.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

King to reign?

Blueking D’Oroux was fourth in this a year ago behind subsequent two-time Grade 1 winner Impaire Et Passe and is expected to be suited to the return to a sounder surface.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has won the hurdling feature on four occasions in the past decade, one more than Nicky Henderson, most recently with Knappers Hill in 2023.

Blueking D’Oroux has not run for two months, when finishing fourth to Nemean Lion in the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fonwell, but evidently that has been all part of the plan.

Nicholls said: “He loves good ground and we’ve kept him fresh for this. That’s always a big plus for this meeting. The trip is ideal.”

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Gwennie May Boy & Take No Chances
Take No Chances has had a phenomenal season, she's been consistent the whole way through. She'll love the track and the ground and the trip is no problem. Gwennie May Boy underwhelmed a little bit last time but he was very good the time before. I'd like to hope both can be really competitive.

Dan Skelton: runs two in the Select HurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Lucky Place
It seems an obvious race for him. I wouldn't categorically say he didn't stay three miles at Cheltenham, but we're certainly under the impression he didn't. It seems the obvious thing to do to come back in trip and it's a nice end-of-season target. He's had a nice break.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Kitzbuhel
He’s a nice horse. If he turns up like he did last time, I'd be hoping he'll go very close.

Gary Moore, joint-trainer of Salver
He’s better suited by softer ground than he’ll get at Sandown. He never runs a bad race, though, and I’m sure he’ll be there or thereabouts.
Reporting by David Milnes

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.