Horse Racing Tips: Rhys Williams fancies winning pointer to score over hurdles at Stratford

• Jumping can improve from last time

• Stronger stayer than the favourite

• Cheltenam De Vaige is overpriced at Stratford

Stratford - 14:05 - Back Cheltenam De Vaige

Jeepydoff Meel is a very short-priced favourite for this novices' hurdle and the switch back to better ground will help his chance but I think there's too much between him and the second favourite in the market given the potential stamina doubts over the favourite.

There are no stamina doubts over Cheltenam De Vaige who is a multiple winning pointer and has won over 3m2f over fences. Having run well in points and hunter chases last season, his attentions were switched back to hurdling at Market Rasen last time where his chasing experience showed in the early stages as he jumped too big over the hurdles. His jumping gradually got slicker as the race progressed and he was still travelling smoothly turning into the home straight before being joined by Roll With It. They jumped the last together but Cheltenam De Vaige got in a bit tight and while rallying on the run-in, couldn't quite get back to his rival and finished second.

While there are doubts over the strength of that form, I'm not sure that ground was ideal for Cheltenam De Vaige and he may have been ridden a little too much for speed in the closing stages rather than making use of his proven stamina.

While he is often ridden with restraint, I'm hoping in this small field and with the stamina doubts over the favourite that they will look to make the running with Cheltenam De Vaige and try to turn this into as much of a test of stamina as possible. The better ground today is also likely to help his chance and hopefully his jumping will be slicker from the off today unlike at Market Rasen.

It may turn out that Jeepydoff Meel has a bit too much class for him but I think there's too much between the two in the market under these circumstances and any 2/13.00 or bigger appeals.

Read Kevin Blake's Thursday tips here.