Bellvano missed a crack at the Supreme Novices Hurdle in favour of this ultra-competitive handicap, and is strongly fancied to land the spoils.
Nicky Henderson's six-year-old looked an extremely smart prospect whe scoring in two bumpers and has quickly made up into a top class hurdling prospect.
He scored a facile succes on his debut at Newbury in a race which is working out extremely well, but was then turned over at odds-on by Menorah at Kempton.
At first glance that looked a disappointing run, but the gelding was totally unsuited by the sharp track and slow pace and given the fact that the winner went on to land the Supreme Novices' Hurdle here on the opening day it was an excellent effort under the circumstances.
Bellvano then got back on the winning trail when cosily beating Gus Macrae and Tito Bustillo at Newbury, and although the third reopposes on 5lb better trems today Bellvano beat him with far more in hand than the official margin of 1 3/4 lengths suggest.
I know for a fact that Henderson rates Bellvano very highly, and believed he was one of his best chances of giving owner JP McManus a winner this week. Another plus is that his jockey Barry Geraghty is riding out of his skin.
Today's fast pace promises to bring out the best in him, and at 11-1 he should be backed before the anticipated gamble devleops pace.
An outsider who could run far better than his price suggest is Michael Scudamore's Gloucester, and he could be worth a small saver at 66-1.
Recommended bets: 5pts each-way Bellvano (11-1 Victor Chandler); 1pt each-way Gloucester (66-1 Ladbrokes)
