Racing: Timmy Murphy steps in for the injured Tony McCoy as Straw Bear faces another potential match-race with Afsoun in the totescoop6 Contenders Hurdle at Sandown tomorrow.
Almost a year ago the pair faced off in a five-runner field for Wincanton's Kingwell Hurdle with Straw Bear coming out on top by seven lengths and again the pair are joined by three inferior rivals.
Straw Bear went on to disappoint in the Champion Hurdle but put his past behind him at Kempton on St Stephen's Day as he outpointed Harchibald in an exciting finish to the Christmas Hurdle.
"There is a chance it could turn into a tactical affair again so I will have a chat to Timmy tomorrow to work out what we are going to do," explained trainer Nick Gifford. "In the Kingwell we ended up making the running, so that is something we will work out.
"The ground will be perfect and he likes Sandown. Obviously I am expecting a big run and I think you would have to say it would be a big surprise if one of the big two did not win."
Straw Bear was a close second to Detroit City in the race last year — it has since been raised to Grade Two status and renamed — before running at Wincanton.
Gifford has not written off a repeat performance yet, adding: "Nothing has been decided. If he won well, we might think about going to the Kingwell, but then again we might think about going straight to Cheltenham."
Afsoun eventually finished an excellent third in last year's Champion Hurdle but has failed to shine this season while Kelso winner Bywell Beau, Osako D'Airy and Peak Seasons complete the field.