Trop Fort has always been highly regarded and looks good value at 9/1 in the 3.40 at Chepstow.
The five-year-old won both starts in French provincial bumpers for Emmanuel Clayeux and was considered a Triumph Hurdle horse when joining David Pipe.
He was sent of a well backed favourite to land a competitive maiden hurdle at Taunton on his debut in this country and was in the process of running a big race when coming to grief at the last.
Whether he would have beaten the eventually winner Brampour is questionable, but he was rallying well after leading for much of the race and it was a highly promising effort.
The gelding was then pitched into the deep end in the Triumph at the Cheltenham Festival but after a blunder at the first could never get competitive and trailed in 20th of 23 behind Zarkandar.
To me he was not mature enough to do himself justice last season, and if he has strengthened up as expected he could be a different proposition this time round.
He certainly has the potential to be more than useful, and he looks a horse to follow this season.
Recommended bet: 2pts each-way trop Fort (9/1 generally available - BOG)
