It was hardly surprising that Lindop looked in need of the experience on his hurdling debut at Wincanton as he was returning after a three-and-a-half year break since winning on the Flat for James Toller over a mile. Now with Robert Alner, Lindop really caught the eye with some good late headway and I marked him down as one to follow. That said, the 3.40 at Chepstow looks a better race than the Wincanton one but I still will be having a little each-way interest on a horse who is worth keeping on your side.

The Pipe yard do not have too many runners at Catterick and Milan Deux Mille will have his supporters even though he has been bumped up 15lb for winning at Warwick in the 2.25. I prefer the other five-year-old in the line-up, Orang Outan, who battled bravely to win at Southwell two outings ago and did not have his usual tongue strap on when running moderately over hurdles last time. The Southwell third, Mange Tout, has given some smart horses a race at Huntingdon since and, reunited with Gary Berridge, Orang Outan looks a decent price at about 17.0.

Eddie Fremantle

Racing Correspondent

Observer Newspaper