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Giant Strides

Josses Hill ridden by Barry Geraghty jumps the last to win The Betdaq 0% Multiples For The First Month Novice's Steeple Chase at Doncaster Racecourse, Donc
Image: Josses Hill: Schooling well

Our gallops reporter expects the conditions of the Arkle Chase to bring out the best in Josses Hill.

JOSSES HILL has schooled well since a surprise defeat at Kempton and is very much the joker in the pack in next week's Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Judged on last year's novice hurdle form, he has to be feared wherever he goes and it will be interesting to see if he jumps more economically at speed, as no Arkle is sedately run.

VANITEUX will start as an outsider for the Champion Hurdle but is far from being a lost cause in the feature event on the opening day.

He oozes class in his work and has really come to himself after enjoying a short mid-season break.

L'AMI SERGE will start a strong second favourite in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and has excelled since his impressive debut for the yard at Newbury last November.

He has gone on to glory at Ascot and in the Grade One Tolworth and his unbeaten record will be tested not only by the opposition, but also because statistically second-season novices have a poor record in the Festival opener.

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