Starzand can play star hand for Hobbs and White today

STARZAND is expected to come out on top in an intriguing Amber River Life Landscaping EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

- By: ASHLEY IVESON

(BRADLEY COLLYER/PA WIRE)

Connections stumped up £230,000 to secure the Irish point-to-point winner at the Cheltenham Tattersalls sale in January and he has since won a bumper and a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las.

The blossoming training partnership of Philip Hobbs and Johnson White have a number of smart performers in this division, so it is notable that the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury over the Christmas period was recently mentioned as a possible destination for Starzand.

He instead heads to Berkshire a little earlier and while his task is not straightforward, with recent Ascot scorer Kripticjim and Irish raider Daydream Nation among his rivals, the Harzand gelding can continue his progression with another victory.

Lucky Place is given a second chance to prove his worth over fences in the J M Finn ‘Chasing Excellence’ Beginners’ Chase.

A dual Grade Two winner over hurdles, Nicky Henderson’s charge ran a peculiar race on his chasing debut at Ascot last month, looking the likely winner turning for home before stopping quickly and then rallying on the run-in.