Conman John bids for his second Cheltenham success of the season in Saturday’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
A £170,000 purchase last year after winning an Irish point-to-point, the five-year-old returned to his homeland to finish fifth at the Punchestown Festival in the spring and is two from two since tackling hurdles this autumn.
He appeared to appreciate the step up to three miles when making much of the running at Prestbury Park in October and connections are looking forward to testing his powers at Grade Two level this weekend.
Michael Scudamore, who trains Conman John in partnership with Lucinda Russell, said: “We’ve got to give 3lb away to the rest of the field, but he’s got a strong chance you’d think based on the form and he obviously likes it round there.
“He’s had a good break and a nice freshen up since his last run and he seems in great form with himself. We’re very excited to head back down there.
“He’s got to take on some new challengers and what look like some very promising types, but he’s got the form in the book and we go down there hopeful.”
Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen team up with They Call Me Hugo, who steps up in class and distance after winning a two-and-a-half-mile maiden at Ffos Las on his debut under rules in early November.
“I’d say the softer the ground the better he is,” said Murphy.
“It’s a little bit of an unknown running him in a Grade Two straight away, but he’s very straightforward and stays very well.”
Nicky Henderson’s Reckless Spending also tackles three miles for the first time following a third-place finish behind Kripticjim at Ascot, while Dan and Harry Skelton are represented by Chepstow runner-up Carlenrig.