'He'll be there to pick up the pieces if some of the big guns don't show up' - quotes for the Savills Hurdle

When you take away Teahupoo, the staying hurdle division is wide open and there is no Teahupoo here so it is a chance for something else to belatedly stake their claim for March.

We need something, anything, to emerge from the long grass and maybe that something is Bob Olinger who, as it happens, is also owned by Brian Acheson's Robcour operation.

This will be his third try over three miles and, let's just say, the previous two attempts have not gone great. He was only fifth in this very race two years ago when sent off 7-4 favourite and his only other try was in a Grade 1 novice chase at the Punchestown festival in 2022 when he was pulled up at 6-5.

But the current Bob Olinger looks a different sort of animal to the old one. He doesn't tank through his races the way he used to and the way he ran at Navan on his comeback over 2m4f suggests he could now stay this far at the age of nine rising ten. He is officially the best horse in the race, rated 4lb superior to Asterion Forlonge, and 11-4 looks a big price.

Bob Olinger does have some history with Home By The Lee, though, and he hasn't been coming out the right side of his battles with him, most recently at Navan in the Lismullen Hurdle where there were three and a half lengths between them. Home By The Lee is a previous winner of the race, too, and Joseph O'Brien's team have been running to a high level over Christmas.

The step back up to three miles should certainly suit Home By The Lee as all he does is jump and gallop, so there aren't too many negatives. The nagging doubt in the back of the mind is that if the real Bob Olinger does show up, the one who went so close in last season's Aintree Hurdle, and he does stay, he could outclass this lot.

How about Hewick? Shark Hanlon has repeatedly said he is a better horse on better ground and he gets that here. He is a 163-rated chaser so should not be underestimated.

Hewick could be a Grand National contender this year and there is a previous winner of the Grand National here in Noble Yeats, who has not been seen for 259 days. He might need it.

Asterion Forlonge is also making his reappearance but he has gone well fresh in the past so that might not be a huge negative, while of those at 20-1 or bigger, maybe Sandor Clegane could outrun his odds.

'Hewick has his ground so everybody is hoping for a big run'

The connections of Hewick declined a return trip to Kempton to try to retain his King George crown in favour of coming here and he has certainly got his conditions.

Hewick will run for the first time under the name of Tara Lee Cogan, as Shark Hanlon serves his suspension for bringing racing into disrepute.

Some were surprised he bypassed the King George, which he won so dramatically last year, in favour of a return to hurdling but might he be the dark horse in the Stayers' Hurdle market at 33-1?

Hewick: reported in good form by new trainer Tara Lee CoganCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The Grand National appears to be his ultimate aim, but the Stayers' Hurdle would be an interesting stopping point on the way.

Cogan said: "He seems in good form and Paddy [Hanlon], who rides him out every day seems very happy. We thought this was the best place to come over Christmas and he'll get his ground so everybody is hoping for a big run."

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Beacon Edge
He's been a great old horse over the years and a model of consistency. He's probably just below the top level but he always runs his race and hopefully he will pick up some of the prize-money again here. He'll be there to pick up the pieces if some of the big guns don't show up.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Bob Olinger
We felt it was worth giving him a crack at three miles again to see how he gets on. He's settling well as he gets older and giving himself every chance to get the trip. He's been great since Navan and we're looking forward to it.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Home By The Lee
He's prepared well for this race since Navan and the conditions are suitable.

Paul Nolan, trainer of Sandor Clegane
He seems in good form and hopefully he jumps better than he did the last day at Clonmel. He actually ran well in the circumstances there. This is a big step up in class, though, but the blinkers might liven him up and this will tell us where we stand with him for the rest of the season.

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