Cheltenham preview (15.05): Top Notch ready to rock in Relkeel

David Metcalf | January 1, 2016

Top Notch has posted two cracking efforts this season and looks decent value to land the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham (15.05) now stepped up in trip.

The gelding was a dual winner in France before joining trainer Nicky Henderson and developing into one of the very best juvenile hurdlers of last season.

After winning his first three starts for Henderson in impressive fashion, the four-year-old ran a blinder to finish second of 16 to stable companion Peace And Co in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Top Notch made smooth headway two from home, and after taking up the running at the last kept on strongly to go down fighting by just a neck.

It was a performance which suggested Top Notch needed keeping firmly onside, and that view was confirmed when the son of Poliglote finished 1 1/4 length second to Irving on his return to action at Haydock.

Top Notch travelled powerfully at the head of affairs and looked all over the winner until making a mistake two from home before rallying gamely.

He backed that up with a fine neck second to Identity Thief in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth over 2m at Newcastle, and the winner has since come out and made leading Champion Hurdle hops Nichols Canyon pull out all the stops in a Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown.

That is very strong form, and Top Notch handles testing conditions so looks the type who will appreciate the step up to 2m 4f.