Opinion still divided over several Cheltenham hopes

Big-name horses often need only to pass the post in front to be shortened in the ante-post markets, but novice chaser Menorah was pushed out two points to 16-1 for the Arkle after a fitful round of jumping.

“He was careful at one or two and jumped a bit left early on but the second-last fence was the only mistake,” said Hobbs.

Sadler’s Risk had earlier become the new ante-post favourite for the Triumph Hurdle. The gelding was smart on the Flat for Mark Johnston and this form showed in an eye-catching juvenile hurdle win.

Will Kennedy’s strong ride on Swincombe Flame (9-2 favourite) in getting back past the inexperienced James Best and Featherbed Lane on the line in the Lanzarote Hurdle resulted in a seven-day whip ban and the loss of his prize money.

He said: “I’m not really one for hitting them but I missed the last and what do I tell the owners? I either hit her two more times and win by a nostril or I don’t and I get beaten.”

n COLIN Tizzard is inclined not to aim Hey Big Spender at the Grand National – despite carrying top weight to victory in the Betfred Classic Chase at Warwick. He became the first horse to win the famous race after running in the Welsh National on its previous start when wearing down Strongbows Legend at the final fence.

“As he’s going to be rated around 160 he’ll go for the Gold Cup and we’ll hope the ground comes up testing,” said the trainer after the race in which Brian Ellison’s well-backed Neptune Equester fell away.

n FROST claimed Wetherby’s card on Saturday and yesterday’s Kelso meeting.