Nordano is unbeaten since switching to hurdles and looks value to land the hat-trick in the Listed 2m Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle at Wetherby on Friday (14:30).
Now trained by Neil King, this Jukebox Jury gelding was previously a Flat handicapper for Mark Johnston.
Although Nordano never got his head in front on the level when based near this venue in the Yorkshire Dales, he has taken his form to a new level since switching stables.
Connections got him ready for a hurdles campaign with a spin on the all-weather at Kempton. Nordano was challenging the leader when he got bumped close home and that cost him the race.
It didn’t stop him winning on his hurdles bow at Huntingdon, however. After jumping into the lead three out, he drew clear and still won by three lengths despite getting slightly hampered at the last.
He then followed-up under a penalty in the Champion Hats Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow. As Nordano made all on the soft ground in South Wales and galloped on strongly to score by a similar margin, there was lots to like about that victory.
The fourth horse home, Sir Psycho, has since come out and bolted up by nine lengths at Wincanton to boost the form.
Although there are less exposed rivals in the Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle, Nordano’s greater race experience has been key to his success.
Those consecutive wins have earned him an opening hurdles mark of 123 – the highest of those with a rating.
As Frost again takes the ride, Nordano looks a great bet at 11/2 with Betway to land the three-timer.
Sam Spinner fancied to follow-up on course chase win
Earlier on Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle day is an extended 3m novice chase (13:55), and Sam Spinner is sure to appreciate the step up in trip.
Trained locally by Jedd O’Keeffe, the seven-year-old was a top staying hurdler before being sent over fences. This son of Black Sam Bellamy landed the 2017 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot after making rapid improvement.
Although he hasn’t won over the smaller obstacles since, Sam Spinner chased home Paisley Park in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Connections dropped him back in trip to an extended 2m 3f here for his chase debut last month.
While there is room for improvement with his jumping, Sam Spinner showed superb stamina after getting outpaced turning for home.
He not only made up the deficit in the home straight, but stayed on strongly to lead on the run-in and score by three lengths.
The runner-up Beakstown was a Grade 2 winning novice hurdler last season, so the form isn’t too shabby. As Sam Spinner came from off the pace, it strongly suggests that going back up in trip is what he needs.
There is a respected rival in fellow winning chase debutant Ardlethen against him, but a 22lb difference between the pair on ratings.
Although the Chepstow form of that Dan Skelton trained horse’s Chepstow victory was franked in midweek by the fourth home, it’s a big gap to bridge.
The market sides with Sam Spinner and we recommend punters do the same despite cramped odds of 10/11 with Ladbrokes to follow-up.
Happy Diva appeals in Listed handicap
In the extended 2m 3f Listed handicap chase (15:05), Happy Diva brings leading form claims into the race and runs off her last winning mark.
Trained by Kerry Lee, this King’s Theatre mare also ran a string of fine races defeat last season.
They include when chasing home previous Cheltenham Festival winner Mister Whitaker on reappearance at this level at Carlisle.
Happy Diva was then travelling well when brought down four out in the valuable Grade 3 BetVictor Gold Cup at Prestbury Park.
The eight-year-old stayed on as a two-length second to subsequent Ryanair Chase runner-up Aso next time up.
As Happy Diva was far from disgraced when third to Cyrname at Ascot, and the winner went on to land Grade 1 glory, again the form is strong.
She finally got her head back in front when winning a Listed mares’ chase at Huntingdon when holding Magic Of Light by a length.
Although Happy Diva got 4lb from the runner-up that day, that Irish raider went on to chase home Tiger Roll in this year’s Grand National.
While Happy Diva took an uncharacteristic tumble at Newbury on her penultimate outing, she ran a huge race when collared close home at Cheltenham’s April Meeting.
She went down by just half-a-length to Northern Beau giving a whopping 19lb away. That was a massive effort in the circumstances.
With question marks over some of her rivals here – albeit against one or two standing dishes in the race – Happy Diva also has 3lb taken off her by regular jockey Richard Patrick.
Taking that into account and the fact he couldn’t claim when she last won, it gives her an edge over the competition. Happy Diva is 4/1 with BetVictor to resume winning ways at Wetherby.
