Turf Talk, Cheltenham: Supasundae set to spring Stayers’ Hurdle surprise

Paisley Park has been all the rage ahead of the three-mile event and certainly merits the highest respect after going unbeaten so far this term – but Supasundae might just be the one to throw a spanner in the works.

Jessica Harrington’s charge chased home Penhill in this race 12 months ago, just being tapped for toe up the hill by the speedier winner.

He has been unfortunate to clash with the excellent Apple’s Jade twice so far this season, while his second to Sharjah over two miles at Christmas perhaps shows he is not quite sharp enough for the minimum trip now.

Supasundae remains pretty unexposed at this three-mile distance and, while the heart would love to see a final hurrah for the admirable Faugheen, the head says the Harrington runner might be the better value bet.

Road To Respect tackles the Ryanair Chase in preference to the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the hint should be taken.

Noel Meade’s runner did not appear to get home when fourth in the main event last term and with the ground likely to be testing again, it makes sense to switch back in trip.

Road To Respect impressed with a Grade One win over three miles on his return in November, but he suffered a troubled passage when a creditable third to Kemboy in the Savills Chase at Christmas, while Bellshill found a little extra when holding him by a short head in the Irish Gold Cup.

Road To Respect’s jumping let him down a bit at Leopardstown that day, but connections felt the good ground had not helped on that front and he should be much more at home on this surface.

Lostintranslation can reverse Sandown form with Defi Du Seuil in the JLT Novices’ Chase.

The pair are evenly matched and the score stands at one-all, with Lostintranslation having prevailed in the Dipper here on New Year’s Day, while Defi Du Seuil grabbed Grade One honours in the Scilly Isles last time.

Lostintranslation hardly helped his cause with a mixed round of jumping at the Esher track but, given he was conceding 3lb, it does not require a great leap of faith to envisage Colin Tizzard’s runner turning that result around.

Epatante has been the buzz horse for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and can prove a worthy favourite.

A Grade One bumper winner in France, she has triumphed on each of her two starts to date in Britain, although she has not beaten too much in the process.

That said, Nicky Henderson’s runner could do little more than win and there is no doubt she has the requisite class.

Romain De Senam can defy his likely long odds in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase after a decent effort at Kempton recently and is worth at least an each-way bet.

Flemcara could be the one in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle and is certainly worth an each-way bet at odds of 20-1, while The Young Master can improve on last year’s sixth place in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase.

He has been off the track since December, but his earlier form has worked out quite well, with Chepstow second Traffic Fluide going on to land a Grade Three and put himself in the National shake-up.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

CHELTENHAM: 1.30 Lostintranslation, 2.10 Flemcara, 2.50 ROAD TO RESPECT (NAP), 3.30 Supasundae (next best), 4.10 Romain De Senam (treble), 4.50 Epatante, 5.30 The Young Master.

HEXHAM: 1.55 Lord Yeats, 2.35 The Horsechesnut, 3.15 Dontdelay, 3.55 Very First Time, 4.35 Paper Roses, 5.15 Ringaringarosie, 5.50 Toi Storey.

MARKET RASEN: 1.45 Mega Yeats, 2.25 Genius, 3.05 Lord Getaway, 3.45 Indian Reel, 4.25 Jurys Out, 5.05 Fight Commander, 5.40 Tango Boy.

SOUTHWELL: 5.55 Essential, 6.30 Key To Power, 7.00 Eternal Sun, 7.30 Creek Island, 8.00 Tynecastle Park, 8.30 Lion Hearted.