Childrens List worth a look in Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle on final day of Festival

Qualando primed to run a big race

Qualando enjoyed his finest hour when winning the Fred Winter at this meeting 12 months ago and looks to have been laid out for the race by trainer Paul Nicholls.

The five-year-old faied to shine in three runs after that success, but returned to form when runner-up last time out in testing conditions at Taunton.

That was a huge step back in the right direction on unsuitable ground, and Qualando will relish the quicker going.

Although now 8lb higher in the weights than when winning the Fred Winter, jockey Harry Cobden takes off 3lb with his claim and that should enable Qualando to be very competitive at a track which clearly suits.

Squouateur a big player

Another big player is the progressive Squouateur. Trained in Ireland by Gordon Elliott, the JP McManus owned gelding has won three of his five starts over the obstacles.

In the last of those at Fairyhouse, Squouateur travelled strongly throughout and showed a smart turn of foot to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

The five-year-old was value for much more than the winning margin and hails from a yard which has already tasted success at the meeting and whose runners in handicaps always command the utmost respect.

Related

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Coral’s top tip: Childrens List looks worth a wager to land a hat-trick of successes in the race for trainer Willie Mullins.