'He might lack experience but he's got the ability' - will a future star emerge?

Saturday: 3.30 Cheltenham
Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) | 2m5f (Old) | 3yo+ (0-140) | ITV/RTV

Racing Post stable tours are a valuable source of information for punters and Nicky Henderson's remarks about a horse who is only rated 119 over hurdles caught the eye. If Wiseguys's future truly is "bright, extremely bright", the rest are likely playing for places in this handicap hurdle.

The problem with Wiseguy is a scarcity of form. However, on the evidence of two of his three starts (sent off odds-on for all three), it is possible his mark massively undersells his ability ahead of his handicap debut.

Wiseguy beat Hillcrest in a bumper and a more experienced 120-rated rival by seven and a half lengths on his second start over hurdles, although sandwiched between those smart efforts was a poor performance at Fontwell. There is little doubt Wiseguy needs to jump better to justify Henderson's predictions, but that is entirely possible.

The proven talent in the race is 134-rated topweight Nickle Back, who is equally as unexposed as Wiseguy but may be overpriced due to his connections. Trainer Sarah Humphrey is operating at a 22 per cent strike-rate this season and her runners must be respected.

Nickle Back sauntered home by 30 lengths at Fontwell last October on his second hurdles start to produce a Racing Post Rating of 140. That performance hinted at graded potential down the line and there is substance to the form as the third, fourth and fifth have landed six races between them since.

Irish-trained handicap hurdlers at Cheltenham always merit a second look and the unexposed Elle Perfecta looks capable of improvement for Colm Murphy, although that is a necessity. She runs off a mark of 127 and her peak effort on RPRs is 121.

Keep an eye on how Forever William fares as he tests a collateral formline involving Sonigino, who is well fancied for the Greatwood on Sunday. Forever William was placed in a Grade 1 as a juvenile last season and ran second to Sonigino over 2m at Chepstow 17 days ago on his return.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Back in action

Nickle Back is among the more intriguing runners on the card and Sarah Humphrey makes little attempt to hide her regard for the six-year-old.

He demolished his rivals by 30 lengths on his second start under rules in a novice hurdle in October last year, but has not been seen since.

"He had a minor injury that kept him out until after Christmas and we thought it wasn't worth rushing a nice horse like him back for the Cheltenham Festival or the Grand National meeting, so he had an extended holiday," Humphrey said.

Aidan Coleman: rides the 'very smart' Nickle BackCredit: Getty Images

"It's been difficult to place him because he was given a mark of 134, but some of the bigger handicaps require you to have run more times over hurdles and we've run only twice. We targeted some races in October, but then the weather and ground was against us. It's been difficult to plan a campaign for him and, ideally, I wouldn't want his first run back to be this, but we're short of options."

Based close to Newmarket, the trainer added: "This time last year we were thinking of going for the Grade 2 novice hurdle that was run on Friday's Cheltenham card and take it from there. We thought he'd have had every chance, but it wasn't to be. I still believe he's a smart horse and we'll see what happens.

"He's a chaser in time and we did think about fences, but he's got so few miles on the clock, so we'd like some more experience first."

Drying ground might, Humphrey explained, scupper things.

"If it was good to soft, I'd be very happy," she said. "If it was soft, I'd be extremely happy, so I am a little worried it changed back to good. We have every intention of being there, but it's slightly quicker than I'd like."

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Time Flies By and Wiseguy
They might have some wiggle room with their marks and I like them both. Time Flies By got his head in front at Fontwell the other day, which will do him good and he'll stay – the further he goes, the better. Wiseguy might lack experience, but he's got the ability. We won this a few years ago with Punchestowns, who was an old favourite, and it tends to be a good race.

Alan King, trainer of Forever William
He should be suited by stepping up in trip and I was happy enough with his comeback over two miles at Chepstow, staying on well after getting outpaced.
Reporting by James Burn

Saturday previews:

1.45 Cheltenham: Can Pentland Hills buck the trends to win on Cheltenham chase bow?

2.20 Cheltenham: 'He has the right profile for this' - top trainers on the Paddy Power Gold Cup

2.55 Cheltenham: Why this intriguing jockey booking could be key to Lisnagar Oscar bouncing back

3.30 Cheltenham: 'He might lack experience but he's got the ability' - will a future star emerge?

Lingfield: Aidan O'Brien's Bolshoi Ballet bids to bounce back before trip to Hong Kong

Naas: 'The Tingle Creek is the plan' - can Gentleman De Mee make a winning return?

New Upping The Ante star Johnny Dineen joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the key horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.