Millar's Method: Stamina test will help Cheltenham runner on Saturday

If a short-priced play isn't your idea of a good bet, especially on a competitive day of racing, make sure you have a second look at Ross Millar's selections.

1.18 Wetherby, 2m3½f handicap hurdle

Jamie Snowden has his string in good order and has saddled four winners and four second-place finishers from 14 runners so far this month.

He is represented by Hardy Du Seuil, who moved from France at the start of last season and raced exclusively in chases, in this handicap hurdle. He showed a good level of form (he won twice) but his best performance came when he finished second in a Grade 2 contest at Haydock behind Minella Drama.

Snowden set him an impossible task on his return in the Welsh Champion Hurdle, and he never looked comfortable as the strong pace forced him into a few small jumping errors. 

He now runs here off his attractive hurdle mark, which is 9lb below his chase rating. Down in grade and up in trip, I fancy him to capitalise on this lenient mark.

Selection: Hardy Du Seuil @ 10

1.53 Wetherby, 2m3½f handicap chase

After winning the Old Roan Chase with Riders Onthe Storm last month, trainer Richard Hobson referenced that he had struggled with the health of his string last season. 

Defi Sacre managed only five outings last campaign compared to nine the previous year, and struggled to find his best form. The upside of a poor season is that the handicapper, who had previously been fairly unrelenting due to his consistent performances, dropped him 12lb to a mark of just 117. 

Much of his best form has come on flat, left-handed tracks and the likely good ground provides optimal conditions at Wetherby on Saturday. The booking of champion jockey, Brian Hughes, is eyecatching and further boosts my confidence.

Selection: Defi Sacre @ 10

3.30 Cheltenham, 2m5f handicap hurdle

Forever William’s main asset when he raced on the flat was stamina as opposed to speed. All of his best form came over 1m5f or further, and it was no surprise that he found the pace a bit hot in two-mile juvenile hurdling contests last year.

Nevertheless, he posted a couple of good performances, including when third behind the talented Pied Piper. His reappearance run behind the progressive Songino, who has won again since and is now a leading player in the Greatwood Hurdle on Sunday, was again promising, though he looked to lack a gear once more.

He failed to impress on his only start over this distance, but that came at Fakenham and I’m certain the sharp nature of the track was his undoing on that occasion.

The stiff uphill finish at Cheltenham can often see the complexion of a race change in the closing stages and I’m hopeful that a longer trip will enable him to travel more comfortably before utilising his plentiful stamina in the closing stages.

Selection: Forever William @ 22

Saturday Horse Racing Tips

Hardy Du Seuil (1.18 Wetherby) @ 10
Defi Sacre (1.53 Wetherby) @ 10
Forever William (3.30 Cheltenham) @ 22