French Holly - as low as 16 to 1 in some lists for the Champion Hurdle - will be a warm order for today's Sidney Banks Memorial Novice Hurdle at Huntingdon after his comprehensive success in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown last month.
But Muskhill is one to take on the favourite with tomorrow. David Nicholson's string are not quite firing on all cylinders but the seven-year-old put any doubts about his own well-being behind him when scoring a rather lazy five-length success over Arkley Royal at Ascot last month.
After some sloppy jumps early in the race on his hurdles debut, the favourite looked to have it all to do but when he was asked to go clear on the flat Muskhill's response was electric.
Even French Holly's handler Ferdy Murphy has admitted that the concession of 8lb to Muskhill may prove a little too much for his charge.
On soft ground at Cheltenham French Holly might well prove to be the better of these two animals. But with no early pace guaranteed in this small field and a doubt over French Holly's ability to act on a faster surface than he has recently encountered, the call must lie with Muskhill. Although Coulton has not been at the peak of his form this term - and is more than likely on the downgrade at the age of 11 - he will not have to run up to his best to land the Racing In Wessex Chase at Wincanton.
Once a high-class chaser, Coulton has been tried at three miles this term but does not seem to relished the step up in trip and should find this 21 furlongs more suitable. Ground Nut is a progressive front-running sort who may give the selection most to do.
Skillwise can outsmart the opposition in the Premiere `National Hunt' Auction Novice Hurdle. The six-year-old is one of a host of up-and-coming National Hunt prospects from the Great Habton yard of Tim Easterby, who does not send his string on long journeys for nothing.
His performance at Doncaster 12 days ago when he was just touched off by Samuel Wilderspin, beaten a neck, the pair 10 lengths clear, was eye-catching. The winner is one of David Nicholson's better novices and Skillwise has a great chance at the weights, thanks to his being relatively cheaply bought at public auction.
Diabetic jockey Jonothan Lower partnered his first winner since returning to the saddle after Serendipity narrowly landed the Peter Stephenson Maiden Hurdle at Ludlow yesterday.
Lower had to wait a few agonising minutes before Martin Pipe's gelding was announced the head winner over Champagne Friend after a driving finish.
On hearing the result called, Lower said: "That's absolutely brilliant - words cannot really explain how I feel as it's been a long time since I rode a winner.
"My last winner was on Out Ranking at this course in April 1996 and this was my sixth ride back.
"Mr Pipe kept telling me I'd ride a winner but after the first few got beaten I just didn't know when. The frustrating part was I had been beaten on short priced favourites.
"I thought turning into the straight today I would win easily as I was travelling so well - but in the end I had to really go for it which proves I am up to it at least.
"My blood sugar level must not be below seven and not over 20 and when I got to the course today it was 6.8 so I had a coffee and a couple of Lucozade tablets and before I rode the winner it was 13.7.
"At the moment the Jockey Club won't let me ride more than once a day and they won't ever let me ride in consecutive races because they have to test me after every ride. But in time I would certainly like to have three or four rides a day."
