/ Editor / 15 March 2007 /

The World Hurdle has got a reputation for producing one of the most exciting at the Festival and with many of the field closely matched there is every reason to suspect punters will be given a treat again.

The ante-post market has centred around whether Black Jack Ketchum will take his place in the field. Having been supported as low as 1.85, his price drifted out to 11 with heavy ground forecast for the track.

However, despite Tony McCoy suggesting he would not want to see his mount run on ground that could be testing, connections have declared him to run. It is seems likely his price may evaporate as quickly as the water from the track and an early trade is advised for those who believe him capable of running his race. Given his overall record of eight wins from nine starts, Black Jack Ketchum will be the obvious pick for many.

Mighty Man is another who wants better ground and his trainer has warned he may not make a decision about his appearance until he has walked the course. If allowed to take his chance, the gelding has some pretty useful form and has only been beaten once since finishing third in this contest last year. That defeat came in soft ground over an inadequate trip at Ascot but still rates a good effort as he gave weight to Champion Hurdle fourth Hardy Eustace.

Inglis Drever took this race in 2005 and showed no ill effects when returning from a tendon injury to win a Grade Two event at Newbury in November. Howard Johnson's charge warmed up for this engagement with a fine effort in the Cleve Hurdle and holds his conqueror Blazing Bailey at the weights this time.

Blazing Bailey is suited by any type of surface. Generally consistent and often overlooked in the betting market - yet to start favourite on any of his four wins - he is a horse who usually gives his best and at the age of five, may still be on the upgrade.

Strangely Brown has twice run creditable races at the Festival finishing sixth in the Triumph Hurdle in 2005 before a fine second in the Coral Cup last season. He tends to run well at this time of year and may be interesting in the place market, which is particularly strong at the Festival. If he can improve slightly on his effort when winning at Aintree last season, he could be overpriced here.

All looks rosy with Garden

Monet's Garden proved his Boxing Day defeat at Kempton was only a temporary setback when impressively landing the Commercial First Ascot Chase in February, and the imposing grey can further enhance his reputation in the Ryanair Chase (14:35).

The Nicky Richards-trained gelding's defeat was put down to being stabled overnight at the racecourse but now the northern-based trainer has found the way to keep him happy. A repeat of his Ascot effort may seem him very hard to beat, especially if running to the form which saw him finish close up in the Arkle last season. Faster ground will see his price shorten on the day of the contest.

The race could be described as an alternative Gold Cup with many horses entered in the same race. Racing Demon still holds an entry in Friday's contest but should connections decide to run him here there is every reason to suggest he could run a big race.

A fine victory at Huntingdon was followed by a creditable effort in the King George VI and those performances came on the back of some useful and consistent runs last season. A reproduction of last season's Sandown win would make him a lively contender and the distance of 2m 5f could prove to be his best trip.

Our Vic is fast becoming a consistent type and it was touch and go as to whether he would line-up in the Gold Cup. He certainly would not have been out of place in the race and must hold a leading chance in this alternative. David Pipe's charge has had the Festival as his target all winter and two decent efforts at Wetherby and at this track in January suggest the team have him spot on.

The nine-year-old did disappoint in the race last season, when heavily supported on Betfair, but it could be argued that his stable was under a bit of a cloud at the time.

Taranis has long been well regarded but after disappointing twice over fences, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was sent back over hurdles for his latest outing. Proving himself a useful racehorse that day, the six-year-old scored well from Whispered Secret. However, those looking to take a single figure price about the gelding need to be aware that even on his best form he could fail to get competitive in a race of this nature and there may be plenty of layers looking for business in both in the win and place markets.

Freetown may please last race punters

Those looking for a decent priced winner of the final race on day three may want to check out the form of the consistent Freetown in the handicap hurdle (17:20).

Len Lungo's tough stayer rarely fails to run his race and won this contest five years ago off a 4lb higher mark. With ground conditions expected to be similar to when he scored that day, a big run is expected, despite the gelding reaching the veteran stage of his career.

He has run some very good races this season and the booking of Ruby Walsh underlines the stable's confidence. The gelding finished second behind Material World in December on his penultimate start before running well once again behind Just Beth in unsuitably heavy ground last time out.

He likes to race with the pace and expect Ruby Walsh to have his mount in the thick of the action from the outset before making a move as they turn for home.

Last year's winner Kadoun makes a return having failed to score since for connections. The JP McManus-owned gelding was backed at fancy prices before winning that contest but could now face the pressure (and lack of value) of going off favourite. The gelding must shoulder 8lb more and could be vulnerable to something as well handicapped as he was last season.

Another consistent type who is likely to give her true running is Suzy Smith's mare Material World. Already a winner at Cheltenham this season, the nine-year-old topped an improving season last year when landing a valuable handicap at the Aintree Festival. Her chances were scuppered by heavy ground in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock in February but Thursday's going looks sure to be more suitable and this mare, who was thought good enough to be considered for the World Hurdle, looks to have given an equitable weight. Such is her consistency she has only twice finished out of the frame on 15 starts - finishing fourth and fifth on those occasions.

David Arbuthnot is better known for training sprinters but in Oscar Park he has a consistent gelding who looks reasonably handicapped on what he has achieved to date. Another who found heavy conditions against him last time, the gelding had previously shown a good level of form this season at Newbury and last season at Haydock, Cheltenham and Warwick. A repeat of any of those efforts would give him an excellent chance and may see him being hard to keep out of the shake up.

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