Monday tips: "he should take a world of beating"

A last-minute knock meant that Nicky Henderson was without rising star Sir Gino at Newbury on Saturday but the trainer still enjoyed a productive day at his local track. 

Henderson claimed the feature handicap, the William Hill Hurdle, for the seventh time in his career and for the second year in a row. Last year's winner Iberico Lord ran moderately, but Joyeuse - who also runs in the green and gold of JP McManus - travelled like a dream throughout and plotted a similar route under Nico De Boinville to last year’s winner. She travelled into the race stylishly and stayed on powerfully, suggesting she’s a young mare very much at the right end of the handicap. 

Much of the talk post-race was of her ineligibility to run in a Cheltenham Festival handicap given she falls short of the five runs required. It does seem a shame that a horse with her profile can’t add a layer of intrigue to what is meant to be the premier racing festival of the season and surely the rule that needs revisiting - maybe a selection of ‘win and you’re in’ races might be the solution? 

In the absence of Sir Gino, the Grade Two Game Spirit Chase looked like a tight race between the remaining five and so it proved, with four holding a chance heading down to the last. It was the outsider Master Chewy who prevailed, firstly running down his better fancied stablemate Matata – who hampered his chance by hanging to his left on the run-in - before repelling the late challenge of Libberty Hunter and reversing the form from their last meeting at Cheltenham in December. 

Time appears to be catching up with Edwardstone who again failed to show his best, and hopefully the handicapper will show him some real respite after this.

JPR One again showed he’s not able to show his best on soft ground and on better ground in the spring I’d happily back him to reverse this form. The one concern is that the Tizzard team appear to have deviated from their initial plan to avoid soft ground and arrive in the spring with a fresh horse, but still he remains capable of better than we’ve seen so far. 

In a similarly weak Grade Two earlier on the card, Djelo emerged best in the Denman Chase. Under a typically smooth and patient Charlie Deutsch ride, he cruised to the front with ease and required minimal encouragement to run out a cosy winner. Quite how hard Hitman - who has a penchant for finishing second - and Bravemansgame, a shadow of his former self, made the winner work is questionable though. 

There can be no doubt however that Venetia Williams has nurtured Djelo into a highly-talented performer and he’ll head to the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with legitimate claims of being in the shake-up, particularly as this has been his sole target in contrast to a number of potential rivals who appear to be re-routing to plan B. 

On Monday, the Racing TV cameras are at Catterick while there is further jumping at Plumpton. I have selections for both cards. 

I’m hoping this will be a case of Bentley’s Return (to form.)

A nine-race maiden, he showed plenty of promise over hurdles yet trainer Chris Gordon clearly felt that he was going to be better for a fence as he ran him over this course and distance on chase debut and seasonal return in December. He ran a solid race with his jumping improving throughout, headed by the re-opposing Theonlywayiswessex on the run to the last and sticking to his task well to finish second and well clear of the third - and subsequent winner - Havaila. 

Sent to Wincanton for his second chase start, Bentley's Return started positively but having received a bump from a rival at half way he could never regain rhythm and was eventually well beaten. That run came at a time when the yard was struggling for form too, so I’m happy to overlook that effort. 

He now returns to a track that we know he likes and on ground he’ll handle well. Crucially, he gets a hefty 13lb pull at the weights with Theonlywayiswessex and with his yard in significantly better form now. The fitting of first-time cheekpieces might also elicit further improvement. 

Evan Williams has campaigned this son of Cokoriko tremendously well this season and Idealko arrives here in search of a four-timer, under a 7lb penalty for his win at Southwell a week ago. 

He ran out a 22-length winner there and, while we won’t know his revised mark until Tuesday, the handicapper has not been adverse to handing out double-digit hikes in the handicap this season and it’s entirely feasible that Idealko will line up here at least 3lb well in. 

This ground and the relatively tight left-handed track will be of no issue and, provided he’s adequately recovered from his relatively minimal exertions of a week ago, he should take a world of beating. 

I’m hoping it will be a good day at the office for father-and-son partnership Chris and Freddie Gordon. 

Unanswered Prayers has run consistently well this season, appearing to appreciate assignments that have demanded greater stamina, and he finished well to win over 3m3f at Fontwell in November before backing that up with a fine third at Sandown behind Mr Vango. That winner has scored off a 5lb-higher mark since, while second Collectors Item also won subsequently and is now rated 6lb higher. 

Last time, Unanswered Prayers dropped back in trip to 3m at Ascot and again finished third - having possibly lacked the finishing kick of the two ahead of him - but once emerged with real credit. 

Dropped 1lb for that effort, he now moves back up in trip and with his yard in fine form. He consistently runs well at this track - with a win and three placed efforts from four starts - and his jockey knows him well, which in my book enhances the value of the 3lb that he’s able to claim.