Five beaten horses from the Cheltenham Festival who it can pay to follow at Aintree and Punchestown

Wendrock

6th, Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 

Gordon Elliott's Wendrock caught the eye when staying on into sixth in this 2m½f juvenile handicap hurdle.

The son of Manduro had only a handful of runners behind him turning for home, and bunny-hopped the last, but hit the line strongly under Jack Kennedy to finish seven and a half lengths behind winner Puturhandstogether.

Wendrock: sixth at Cheltenham last weekCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

He looks sure to stay further on that evidence, while slightly softer ground would also suit.

Wendrock led jumping the last in a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival before weakening quickly on the run-in and strikes as the type to land a valuable handicap this spring.

Beckett Rock

6th, Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

The Henry de Bromhead runner was trapped in a pocket of horses turning for home in the Coral Cup but kept on well when in the clear to finish a six-and-a-half-length sixth.

He had previously come from a long way back to finish second over 2m4f at Fairyhouse, and those efforts suggest that he will relish a step up to three miles.

Beckett Rock (fourth from right): sixth in the Coral CupCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Having gained his career wins on soft and heavy ground reverting to an easier surface should be in his favour, and there's some wriggle room left in a mark of 138.

Galileo Dame

6th, Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle

This filly was down the field in last year's Irish Oaks before finishing second in a pair of 1m4f Listed contests at Naas and the Curragh respectively.

She was second in her first two hurdle starts, most recently in a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival, and shaped better than the bare result when sixth in last week's Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Galileo Dame (red and white spotted cap): chased home Hello Neighbour at the Dublin Racing FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Joseph O'Brien's four-year-old was outpaced in the early stages of the 2m1f contest but stuck to her task well on ground quicker than ideal. 

She should have plenty more to offer over hurdles.

Rocky's Diamond

4th, Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle

Rocky's Diamond finished a creditable fourth in last week's Stayers' Hurdle and has now seen his Racing Post Rating improve in all seven career starts.

Rocky's Diamond (centre, yellow and white cap): fourth in the Stayers' HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Declan Queally's runner was prominent early under Shane Fitzgerald and refused to give in once headed, ultimately finishing just a half-length behind third-placed The Wallpark.

The five-year-old retains plenty of scope for improvement having made his racecourse debut just last March, while he is also proven on testing ground, having won the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle on soft to heavy at Gowran in January.

Wendigo 

5th, Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

Jamie Snowden's gelding can have his Albert Bartlett run upgraded after he was hampered and stumbled badly just after the second-last.

He did well in the circumstances to finish eight lengths behind classy winner Jasmin De Vaux, who benefitted from being ridden patiently by Paul Townend.

Wendigo: fifth in the Albert BartlettCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Wendigo had previously chased home The New Lion in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December, and he looks tailor-made for the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree's Grand National meeting.

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