Cheltenham Festival – Lil Rockerfeller tackles National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell before heading to Prestbury Park for the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle
Neil King's stable star hasn't won yet this season but connections are hoping he can bounce back at Fontwell before heading to the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle
LIL ROCKERFELLER is back to defend his title in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on Sunday.
Neil King's stable star hasn't won yet this season but he has been highly tried finishing behind the likes of Yanworth and Unowhatimeanharry.
He was a bit disappointing in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, but King's horses were out of form at the time and the six-year-old was slightly under the weather.
His main target all season has been the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and this looks to be the perfect prep.
King said: "This has obviously been one of his main targets all season, along with the Stayers' Hurdle.
"The season started well for him as he arguably ran three career-bests on the spin.
"He's back on good terms with himself and we're all looking forward to it."
Nicky Henderson's Different Gravey is a surprise runner in the race.
The seven-year-old has been novice chasing this season but it all went wrong at Cheltenham last time out.
Henderson said in his blog for Stan James: "Different Gravey was entered in the Pendil, but as we all know he didn't jump a twig at Cheltenham so he's going back over hurdles in the hope it will boost his confidence.
"Two and a half miles with cut in the ground should be perfect for him and it's a very valuable prize, too.
"He's in great form and we are going to give him a run here before probably going back over fences.
"We'll leave Cheltenham out of it this year and decide whether to stay over hurdles or go back chasing at Aintree. It all depends on the outcome of this."
Henderson also runs another horse who has spent time chasing this season, L'Ami Serge.
The Seven Barrows handler said: "Many people were quick to crab L'Ami Serge after the Stan James Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock but we did find some traces of blood after the race which goes some way to explaining why some believe he didn't go through with his effort.
"He has lots of twos and threes next to his name so there is always going to be question marks with him but I won't have it and we'll see how he gets on here.
"We can always revert to chasing if needs be anyway."
Dan Skelton is represented by Shelford, who won two races in France in the spring.
"We're stuck a little bit about where to go with him, but we've got to run somewhere," said Skelton.
"He's carrying the penalties that he earned in France which is making things a little harder."