The traditional Cheltenham concept of a "good thing" has taken quite a knock so far this week, but Lounaos can kick off a rehabilitative process today with victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
The ex-French-trained filly has been a revelation since joining the Co Kilkenny trainer Eoin Griffin last summer and appears to boast outstanding claims for a race that has a very good record for favourites despite its reputation as a competitive nightmare.
As per usual, a big field lines up for the juvenile championship, but despite the presence of the home stars, Katchit, who boasts course form, and Aidan O'Brien's former classic runner Mountain, it's hard to escape from the Irish star as the most likely winner.
Unbeaten in her own age-group this winter, she also put in an outstanding figures performance when chasing home the top-class trio of Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca and Macs Joy in the AIG, and the experience of that run should be a significant plus today.
But the real encouragement is that Lounaos over hurdles has been only confirming the favourable impression she made on the flat, where she impressively landed the November Handicap and also scored at Roscommon on good ground last year.
If Lounaos ticks most of the boxes required in the first race, then it's hard to find any sort of box Wichita Lineman doesn't tick with a vengeance in the following Brit Insurance Novice Hurdle.
Jonjo O'Neill and Tony McCoy provided Black Jack Ketchum at evens for this last year, and Wichita, a half brother to Rhinestone Cowboy, looks to have even better claims.
His form in beating the Ballymore first two, Massini's Maguire and Tidal Bay, is outstanding and he's already a Grade One winner. And since he's a proven winner on all types of going, the conditions will not be a problem.
Black Harry's hopes of bustling him up are receding the more the ground dries out, and last year's Bumper hero Hairy Molly could be the best of the Irish. But the green and the white, and all colours in between, look like being on Wichita Lineman.
Saintsaire has been talked of as a Paul Nicholls banker in the Grand Annual after a wind operation, but better each-way value looks to lie with Jacks Craic, an Aintree winner last April, who appeared to be coming back to form in his last start and will relish the breakneck pace.
Whyso Mayo, trained in Clonakilty by Ray Hurley, was a 20 to 1 surprise in the Foxhunters last year but there will be no such fancy prices available this time on the back of what appears perfect preparation for a defence. He has a habit of clouting the odd fence but will be hard to beat.
Osana could be a Pipe special in the finale, the County Hurdle, but Tuesday's unlucky Arkle runner-up, Fair Along, given better fortune, can score.
Selections
2.00Lounaos (Nap)
2.35Wichita Lineman
4.00Whyso Mayo
4.40Jacks Craic
5.20Fair Along
Nap and Double
Lounaos & Wichita Lineman.
