Ashkazar ran out the ready winner of the Sunderlands Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday afternoon and is now a 6/1 shot (from 10/1) with Blue Square for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday.
David Pipe’s charge is also the 3/1 favourite (from 7/1) for the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle on the opening day of the Festival.
‘Ashkazar continued the Pipe stable’s amazing record in the Imperial Cup on Saturday and it looks like he will be a short-priced favourite wherever he turns up at the Festival,’ said Blue Square spokesman George Primarolo.
‘It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he could turn up in two races at Cheltenham so it could well be double trouble for the bookies next week!’
JCB Triumph Hurdle – Blue Square bet: 2 Franchoek, 9/2 Celestial Halo, 6 (from 10) Ashkazar, Binocular, 12 Beau Michael, Won In The Dark, 14 Serabad, Five Dream, 16 Personal Column, Silverhand, 20 Harper Valley, 25 Spiderback, Songe, Prince Erik, 33 Siege Of Ennis, Doubly Guest, 40 Temlett, Squadron, Quinte Du Chatelet, Mamlook, Lemon Silk, 50 Hypnotic Vibes, Star Of Angels, Bayonyx, 66 Silmi, Dal Cais, Callisto Moon, Sivota, 100 Special Day, Seeking The Buck, Dansimar, Pires, 150 Regional Counsel, 200 Goochie, Trachonitis, Diego Velasquez, Sebadee, Dorset Square. ¼ 1-2-3-4
Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle – Blue Square bet: 3 (from 7) Ashkazar, 4 River Liane, 7 Grand Schlem, Crack Away Jack, 8 Chapoturgeon, 9 Pires, Prince Erik, 10 Metaphoric, 12 Harry Tricker, Songe, 14 Prideus, Hot Diamond, Siege Of Ennis, 16 Five Dream, 20 bar.¼ 1-2-3-4