20th-Feb-2021

I am backing old friend Third Wind in the Rendlesham Hurdle.

Hughie Morrison’s horse ran a big race in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last March, staying on strongly from the rear to take fourth place behind Sire Du Berlais, doing best of the British-trained horses and doing best of the hold-up horses on the day.

He hasn’t won yet this season, but he ran a big race when we had him on side in the Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in November, over today’s course and distance, when he was only just run down close home by Main Fact.

There should not be much between them again today on that basis, but Third Wind is 5lb better off with David Pipe’s horse, and Main Fact has since run poorly in the Long Walk Hurdle, whereas Third Wind ran well to finish fifth behind Paisley Park and Thyme Hill in that race, about 40 lengths in front of Main Fact.

Hughie Morrison’s horse is only seven and he has run just nine times over hurdles.  He still has the potential to go higher.  This is a fascinating race, Emitom is a talented horse and Itchy Feet and Lisnagar Oscar could both bounce back.  But, proven over today’s course and distance, on today’s ground, Third Wind is the bet.

THIRD WIND WON (ADV 9/2, SP 9/2)