BENBYAS has a "fighting chance" of winning the County Hurdle at Cheltenham today, according to trainer Les Eyre.
Shock 33-1 scorer Peter Beaumont's Hussard Collonges flew the flag for the north yesterday and there could be more joy for the region if Benbyas (5.40) scoops the traditionally fiercely-competitive closing race at the Festival.
And Eyre, based high above Thirsk on Sutton Bank, remains very hopeful of a big run from his charge.
Benbyas was only a moderate middle-distance performer on the level but is a reformed character since switching to jumps, his most prestigious victory coming after bravely repelling Gary Moore's Tikram over track and trip last December.
Although Francois Doumen's Bilboa is hot favourite for the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle, there could be an upset if Brother Joe (2.35) can reproduce his smart Flat form, which includes a more-than-creditable third placing behind Aidan O'Brien's Mediterranean in last year's one-mile-six-furlong Ebor Handicap at York.
Philip Hobbs, successful with Flagship Uberallas in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, thinks so highly of Brother Joe he made an entry for him in the Champion Hurdle.
Maybe it was wishful thinking by Hobbs to believe Brother Joe possesses the speed to beat the likes of Hors La Loi, though it could be different over this afternoon's stamina-sapping three miles.
Martin Pipe's son David is making quite a name for himself as a point-to-point trainer, a reputation that will be further enhanced if Horus (3.55) can win the Christie's Foxhunter Chase.
Horus, a lightly-raced seven-year-old, has clearly been prepared with this race specifically in mind. His one start under Rules this term could hardly have been more impressive, recording a cheeky victory over Torduff Express at Wincanton in February.
Asador's (4.30) light weight in the Grand Annual Challenge Cup may prove decisive on ground described as "dead" by most of the jockeys.
The ex-French six-year-old is now with Paul Nicholls, who has yet to ask a serious question of the gelding, having sent him to Newton Abbot and Plumpton for a brace of facile successes.
As far as sheer ability goes, Nicholls will know precisely where he stands, having had the luxury of being able to compare Asador with any number of classy horses on his gallops at Ditcheat in Somerset.
Stable jockey Timmy Murphy has opted to ride him in the £60,000 event.
Noel Meade's Arctic Copper (5.05) is worth an each-way investment in the Cathcart Chase.
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