THE defection of Hansard from today’s Betfair Hurdle because of a poor scope means that trainer Gary Moore’s team for the day’s feature race in Britain has been reduced from three to two, but that may be enough, because both horses go there with live chances.

Yorksea is a bit of a monkey, but he is a talented monkey on his day. He has refused to jump off in each of his latest two races, and you obviously have to tread warily today as a consequence.