Sunday horse racing

We had two great tips come in on Sunday as Numide won the 2.20 in convincing fashion while our two tips for the 1.10, Straw Bear and Tatenen, had a one-two finish for a profitable day

Sunday at Cheltenham

A Group Two winner on the flat in France, Numide (NAP) is taken to step up on recent efforts and land the feature event of the day at Cheltenham, the Grade Three Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.20), for the Moore clan.

A winner of his first two starts over hurdles in this country last season on testing going, the son of Highest Honor was far from disgraced in two subsequent outings including in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Festival without the aid of his favoured going.

But with a wet weather forecast and the ground already in his favour I expect a huge run from this lightly raced animal from the foot of the handicap. Two runs in Group Three races on the flat should have put him spot on for this assignment and with only 10st 3lbs on his back he could well outstay his rivals up the final climb.

This is of course a quality contest with Ashkazar, Blue Bajan and Silver Jaro at the top of the handicap. However, all three will be compromised by the likely slow ground and the biggest danger could come from Nicky Henderson’s Aigle D’Or.

Like Numide, the son of Halling flopped at the Cheltenham Festival. However, he has reportedly worked brilliantly at home in the run up to the new season and could very well leave his mark of 140 well behind in the coming months and even become a live outsider for the Champion Hurdle.

The novice chase at 1.10 looks a cracking contest and with Poquelin saddled with a penalty for his wins at Newton Abbot and here at Cheltenham, I fancy that Straw Bear and Tatenen will both have his measure.

I think that the selection’s run behind Sir Harry Ormesher has been under rated as he looked pretty novicey through the early stages and only really warmed to his task down the home straight for the final time, just failing to catch Alan King’s charge.

Away from Prestbury Park, I like the chance of Ned Ludd in the 2.40 at Fontwell, while Very Cool looks sure to be very hard to beat in the feature event at the Sussex track, the totesport.com Southern National Handicap Chase at 3.10.

David Pipe’s charge has been raised 13lbs for last gasp win at Uttoxeter, but he has any amount of improvement left in the locker and will adore this extreme test of stamina. The talented, but moody mare L’Aventure could turn out to be his biggest danger.