Dallas Des Pictons ran a blinder when runner-up last time out and makes plenty of appeal at 6/1 in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree (4.40).
This Gordon Elliott trained six-year-old has improved in each of five outings and ran a cracker in the second of those when keeping a three length second of 16 to City Island over 2m at Leopardstown.
The winner landed the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival off an official rating of 147, so that gives the form a very solid look.
He then bolted up over 2m 4f at Punchestown by 10 lengths in a 15-runner maiden hurdle after which he was allotted what looked a lenient opening handicap mark of 130.
Dallas Des Pictons duly took advantage when landing a competitive 12-runner affair over 3m at Leopardstown where e stayed on strongly when pressed to beat Calie Du Mesnil by a neck.
He was value for more than the winning margin and despite being raised 10lb he shaped really well last time out at the Cheltenham Festival when a 1 1/4 length second of 22 to Early Doors in the Martin Pipe over 2m 4f.
Dallas Des Pictons cruised into the lead and looked all over the winner approaching the last until getting outbattled close home by a more experienced rival.
It was an effort which suggested he was well worth a crack at this level and the step back up to 3m – over which he is 1-1- looks sure to suit.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Dallas Des Pictons (6/1 Unibet – BOG)