Viva Steve looks potentially well-treated now switched back to hurdles in the 3.35 at Doncaster today and makes plenty of appeal at 8/1.
Mick Channon’s gelding was a useful novice hurdler last season, running some solid races prior to opening his account at the fourth time of asking when beating Expanding Universe by 3/4 of a length at Sandown where he had the 135-rated Valco De Touzaine a further 1 1/2 length behind in third.
However it is the form of his second run under rules when a 1/2 a length runner-up to If In Doubt in a 16-runner contest at Towcester which makes him look on a handy mark in this off 122.
The winner has gone on to develop into a useful handicapper hurdler and is now rated 135 over hurdles after finishing runner-up in the Lanzarote to the exciting 165-rated Saphir De Rheu, and the third home Upswing – who finished 18 lengths behind Viva Steve in third – has won twice this season and is now rated 128.
That is very strong form and suggests that the selection should be more than capable of winning races of this nature off his current rating now switched back to the smaller obstacles after failing to cut any ice in two novice chases this season.
His handler is also in good form at present having saddled three winners from his last six runner sunder both codes, and with Dominic Elsworth in the saddle everything looks in place for a huge run.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Viva Steve (8/1 Betfred, BetVictor, Hills – BOG)
