Ultimate shaped as if coming back to his best last time out and makes plenty of at 9/1 in the 2.45 at Musselburgh today.
Brian Ellison’s charge is better Known as a chase these days and won twice over the larger obstacles last season, with his last victory coming off a mark of 122 .
However he had some very useful form as a hurdler back in 2011, where he finished a solid third to Hunterview over course and distance in the Scottish County Hurdle off a rating of 129 and went on to run a cracker off the same mark when fifth of 24 to Alarazi in the Imperial Cup at Sandown.
That is very strong form and he now gets into this contest off what looks a workable mark of 123 having put in an eye-catching effort in a 2m 4f handicap hurdle here last time up.
The seven-year-old put some lack-lustre efforts behind him when finishing a close up fifth of 15 to Parc des Princes, travelling well off the pace before keeping on well from two out to be beaten just 1 1/2 lengths.
It was an effort which suggested he was ready to go in again, and the drop back to 2m this afternoon will suit him down to the ground.
I had him priced up at no bigger than 7s for this, so the 9s on offer looks too big for a horse that is potentially well treated on the pick of his form and represents excellent each-way value in my book.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Ultimate (9/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
