Extra weight to be no burden on Brampour in Greatwood Hurdle

Although Brampour has been heavily hiked in the weights for his recent victory at Ascot, he still remains a serious contender to triumph in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Brampour was slightly disappointing towards the end of last season, with below-expected performances at the Cheltenham Festival and then at Aintree.

However, it appeared that he had developed well over his summer break and re-emerged with victory in the WilliamHill.com Handicap Hurdle at the end of October.

This victory has seen him upped over a stone in the weights should he follow up on his entry at Cheltenham, but punters impressed with his Ascot success should not be put off backing him.

Therefore, Brampour will run off 11st 11lb at Cheltenham, which is only 1lb adrift of joint top weights Sanctuaire and Topolski.

But, Harry Derham will remain in the saddle to take off a useful 7lb because of his status as an apprentice, while horses towards the head of the weights generally have a good record in the race.

Menorah triumphed 12 months ago from top weight, while four of the last five winners have carried a minimum of 11st 6lb to victory.

Meanwhile, Brampour is currently second favourite in the Cheltenham betting for the Greatwood Hurdle at 7/1, with Pateese recently taking over favouritism.

Three of the last four winners have been sent off second favourite and horses priced at 9/1 or shorter have dominated the last seven runnings of the race.

Other trends worth noting in Brampour’s favour are that seven of the last ten winners finished in the first two in their final start before Cheltenham and Paul Nicholls has saddled three horses to finish in the money in the past decade.