Alan King has his team in terrific form and Lovcen is strongly fancied at 9/2 to provide him with another winner in the 2.05 at Aintree today.
The gelding developed into a useful hurdler in 2012, finishing a fine fourth of 20 to the ill-fated Brindisi Breeze in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival before landing the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle over course and distance where he stayed on well to beat Fingal Bay by 1 3/4 lengths off an official rating of 142.
He then didn’t run too badly after a break when 5th of 10 to Ely Brown in this contest last year when 5th of 10 to Ely Brown, and now meets that rival on 20lb better terms for an 8 length beating.
The eight-year-old was then far from disgraced when fifth of 13 to Goulanes in a listed handicap hurdle at Cheltenham off a mark of 150, after which he had his attention switched to the larger obstacles.
Connections then quickly ditched the idea of a chasing career after two poor efforts and he also disappointed when last seen in action in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham back in January of this year when finishing 8th of 10 to Reve De Sivola.
However he was clearly not right that day, and having been given a lengthy break he now gets into this off what looks a very workable mark of 145 judged on the pick of his form.
To me he should be more than capable of winning races of this nature from his current rating, and with his stable flying looks the one they all have to beat.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Lovcen (9/2 Paddy Power – BOG)
