Big-race verdict: Matt & Adrian’s tips for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham

‘Meade doesn’t send many to run in the UK these days’

As always, a deeply competitive handicap. Jesse Evans was fourth in the Galway Hurdle when last seen over hurdles. That handicap had more depth to it than this one. He is four pounds higher on this occasion with Eoin Walsh taking five pounds straight off via his claim.

Well suited by a sound surface, he has been kept ticking over with a couple of runs on the flat since Galway. He strikes as the type that the handicapper is going to find hard to get a handle on given he only does just enough when hitting the front.

Noel Meade doesn’t send many to run in the UK these days, this gelding his only representative at the three-day meeting. He will be suited to the way the race is run and the money for him make him all the more interesting. – Matt Newman

‘A mark of 140 looks rather lenient’

Camprond boasts some pretty smart French form on the flat, winning a handicap over 1m4f by nine lengths off a mark of 90, which was his final run over there in September 2019.

He has certainly been kept busy in 2021 for trainer Philip Hobbs, yet to be out of the first four in eight runs this year which include four victories to his name.

The JP McManus owned improver showed his true colours when landing the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow last month. He then followed up here at Cheltenham at the end of the month comfortably over 2m4f.

This race should be set up perfectly for him. He should be ridden with restraint as he stays much further and should be able to pick off his rivals as the turn in for the hill. A mark of 140 looks rather lenient.

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