Iroko

Ollie Greenall and Josh

Guerriero

Now here’s a Cheltenham horse. He won the Martin Pipe in March despite plenty going wrong, and impressed with how he finished up the hill having looked beaten for all money at the last. He jumped off his hocks there, using himself properly for all he was slower than others through the air, and everything about that run promised much better when he was switched to fences.

He duly won turning cartwheels on chasing bow at Warwick and looks to have an exciting future. He proved that he stays three miles at Aintree on his final start last year, and the way he goes about things makes him look like staying will be his game over the bigger obstacles.

Nemean Lion

Kerry Lee

Nemean Lion is by Golden Horn and is out of a useful half-sister to Irish Oaks winner Magical Lagoon and King George hero Novellist. He was Group 2-placed as a three-year-old before Richard Lee picked him up for just £18,000 on the back of an absence.

A Grade 2 winner at Kelso last term, he looks an absolute steal now, and was better than ever when winning the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las by a length and a half from Anyharminasking on his return, jumping well and finding plenty for pressure from the last. He’s my pick for the Greatwood tomorrow, and it’s encouraging to note that he’s been given a Fighting Fifth entry next month.

Brentford Hope

Harry Derham

Brentford Hope has always had huge talent. He became frustrating for Richard Hughes but has really taken off for Harry Derham, and was mightily impressive winning a competitive two-mile handicap in which the front-runners – himself included – went off too hard at Newbury recently.

He is due to run in the Gerry Feilden Hurdle over track and trip in December and will be hard to beat despite going up 11lb for a win over Sergeant Wilson, also one to be interested in at a lower level.

Lord Snootie

Christian Williams

Lord Snootie was an impressive winner of a three-and-a-quarter-mile Warwick handicap hurdle before finishing second to the exciting Trelawne at Uttoxeter in the mud in April.

He was let down by his jumping at Galway on last month’s return but had shaped well until almost on the deck two out over an inadequate trip, He is the sort to do well when stamina is at a premium this term, starting off – hopefully – with the Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle at Haydock later this month.

Invictus World

Gerry Quinn

Invictus World is a son of Nicaron who has looked very game in winning a bumper at Navan and a maiden hurdle over an extended two miles and five furlongs at Downpatrick – beating subsequent winner Cozone – despite racing freely in front both times. He’s been dropped in trip in handicaps the last twice and was making eye-catching headway when stumbling and coming down after the penultimate obstacle at the latter track in September. He is just the sort to plunder a fair handicap in Britain during the season, with the Philip McBurney-owned yard well sited for access to Scotland and the North of England.