Twiston-Davies novice is not for catching

WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT will be one of the few British raiders at the Dublin Racing Festival but Nigel Twiston-Davies’s runner can upset the locals in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors “50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff ” Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The six-year-old is a fascinating contender now upped in distance. He won extremely well in a maiden hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, finishing off really well and creating the impression he could develop into a high-quality staying hurdler in his novice season. The form of that race got a significant boost with the runner-up, Rock My Way, winning at Grade 2 level last weekend. Weveallbeencaught looks open to much more improvement and can cause a surprise here.

It would be less of a shock if Paul Nicholls captured a fifth win in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Saturday with

Monmiral.

He has yet to win over fences but his form looks decent, having chased home Jonbon on his chasing bow at Warwick and bumped into another festival favourite in The Real Whacker on New Year’s Day. He is a very talented horse and has already won at the top level in his hurdling days, so is worthy of another chance at this level.

Trelawne makes plenty of appeal at a big price in the Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle later on the card for Kim Bailey. He has made just three starts but looked like a fairly talented horse in two of them, his bumper win at Exeter and a decisive success on his hurdling debut at Ffos Las.

He handles soft ground very well and, given he has won at Exeter, this stiff finish may be likely to suit.

The Fergal O’Brien-trained Bonttay should get off the mark over hurdles at Exeter on Wednesday in the Virgin Bet Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.

She was a smart horse in bumpers, winning two good races at Cheltenham, and her debut over hurdles at Lingfield was encouraging too. She looks the one to beat here.

Also worth noting

Ilovethenightlife (Joe Tizzard) in the 3.35 at Wincanton on Thursday