Trainer David Dennis is hoping Final Nudge can continue his progression as he steps up in class for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Trainer David Dennis is hoping Final Nudge can continue his progression as he steps up in class for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The six-year-old gets his chance after making hay in November, winning his last two starts at Wincanton and Bangor following a narrow defeat at Market Rasen.
Final Nudge is on a hat-trick but takes on stronger opposition in this Grade Two event and is upped in trip to three miles.
"I've been delighted with him this season. He was unlucky to get chinned at Market Rasen on his reappearance. He was only nabbed on the line," said the Worcestershire handler.
"He then put up a lovely display down at Wincanton where I thought he won quite well.
"I thought the ground at Bangor was very testing and though it looked as if it was hard work for him he doesn't do more than he has to.
"He won by half a length and has got a bit to find on the ratings with three or four of the other runners, but he's worthy of being in the line-up.
"He's got plenty of stamina in his pedigree and hopefully sometimes stepping up in trip they find it a bit easier and travel for longer."
Unowhatimeanharry has also won his last two races in handicaps at Cheltenham and Newbury.
His trainer Harry Fry admitted he only put him in after the race was reopened following Monday's entry stage.
"He's won two handicaps and he's back into novice company now but it's a good-class race," said the Seaborough handler.
"He seems well after Newbury. The race re-opened so we put him in to have a look so he takes his chance and we'll see how he gets on."
Kim Bailey feels conditions might be too testing for Net Work Rouge, who has taken his last two races at Worcester and Warwick.
"I'm very happy with him. He's won his last two races very impressively," said the Gloucestershire trainer.
"If he handles the ground he'll run very well, but I think he's a good-ground horse and it will be too soft for him, but who knows?
John Ferguson's consistent Ennistown, Sheena West's Lingfield winner Justanother Muddle, Colin Tizzard's West Approach and Ballycross, whose trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies took this prize 12 months ago with Blaklion, complete the seven-strong field.