Cheltenham preview (13.40): More Of That to make winning return
Published:
David Metcalf | November 12, 2015
More Of That makes his eagerly awaited debut over fences in the Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham (13.40), and can make his class tell to make it a winning one.
Trained by Jonjo O’Neill, he progressed at a rate of knots in 2013/14 when unbeaten in four starts, winning a handicap on his debut off a mark of 130 before going on to capture the Grade 1 World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
More Of That put an end to Annie Power’s unbeaten run in the latter, travelling well throughout before staying on strongly after the last to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths.
It was a performance which oozed class, and one which marked More Of That out as something very special. The gelding has had just one run since, and that saw him suffer a shock defeat when a well beaten third in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last 12 months ago.
More Of That will bounce back
More Of That was clearly not right, and connections wisely decided to be patient and give the son of Beneficial time to recover.
O’Neill and owner JP McManus always believed his future lied over fences, and More Of That has the potential to go right to the very top over the larger obstacles.
He is currently the 12/1 second favourite with Coral for the 2016 RSA Chase, and has reportedly schooled well and been pleasing connections head of his belated return to action.
Although entitled to need the run, More Of That looks a cut above his rivals and can land the spoils en route to much better things.
As De Mee best of rest
If More Of That fails to live up to expectations, then As De Mee looks the one most likely to take advantage.
The Paul Nicholls trained gelding was a smart hurdler who shaped with bags of promise on chasing debut when runner-up to Cocktails At Dawn at Chepstow.
As De Mee stayed on well to be beaten three lengths, and the third home Native River has come out and won since to give the form a boost.
The five-year-old looks sure to win of races over fences judged on that effort, but was rated 27lb inferior to More Of That over hurdles and will need that rival to underperform to take this.
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Coral’s top tip: We’d like some More Of That, who should make a winning return here.
