Punting pointers as Torpillo and Quel Destin clash in four-year-old hurdle

Masterson Holdings Hurdle | 2m½f, 4yo | ITV4/RTV

It is not just the festival when Ireland comes to the fore as this race has been won for the last two years by Irish trainers and five times in the last ten years, including when the great Tiger Roll scored for Gordon Elliott five years ago.

There are four Irish challengers this year including last year's winning trainer John McConnell, who sends out unbeaten hurdler Construct.

Quel Destin will be bidding to give owner Martin Broughton and friends and trainer Paul Nicholls another win in the race after 2015 Champion Chase winner Dodging Bullets gained his first win over hurdles in 2012.

Paying for a good juvenile campaign

Quel Destin has to give weight away all round with his 4lb penalty, but he only has the one penalty despite racking up two early Grade 2 wins and a Grade 1 in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow last Christmas.

His run of five successes was only broken when he finished fifth to Pentland Hills in the Triumph Hurdle in March.

Trainer Paul Nicholls, who also won this race with Sametegal a year after Dodging Bullets, said: "He has got it all to do at the weights but has been sharpened up by a run on the Flat."

The more rain the better for Torpillo

Connections of Torpillo will be hoping the worst of the weather forecast comes true as the race was not under consideration before the rain this week started to ease the ground.

The predicted deluge at the course before racing on Saturday was music to ears of trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, who was quick off the mark here with Al Dancer's success on Friday.

"The more rain they get the better for Torpillo," said Twiston-Davies. "He couldn't have been any more impressive than he was at Chepstow."

What they say

John McConnell, trainer of Construct
We've had this meeting in mind for a while now, but we've been left a bit deflated over the ground. He's an exciting horse for us and if he handles it, I'd give him a big chance.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Soviet Pimpernel
It's a good race but he's in good form and has been working well. He's travelled over well and this will tell us where we stand with him. I know he's taking on experienced horses but he jumps very well and we've always thought a lot of him.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Havingagoodtime
She seemed to possibly lose her form a little after winning at Down Royal. We'll try her against her own age group here and see how that goes. Hopefully, she'll find her form again, otherwise we'll put her away to go chasing next spring.

Katy Brown, trainer of Effernock Fizz
My partner Danny is over there and he walked the track and said it's on the easy side of good. Hopefully, it doesn't get too soft. However, she's a stronger mare than she was at the beginning of the season, so I don't think softer ground will inconvenience her too much. We think a bit of her.

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