Bobs Worth is taken to join an elite band and become a dual winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

Only Mandarin, Denman and the great Arkle have managed claim the Grade Three prize on multiple occasions but Bobs Worth appears to have a decent chance of adding to his 2012 triumph.

Nicky Henderson's 10-year-old kicked off what was to be a landmark campaign with victory off top-weight that day before going on to add Cheltenham Gold Cup glory to his resume the following spring.

However, Bobs Worth had seemingly gone backwards since then with just a win in the 2013 Lexus Chase to his name following those glory days before being switched back to hurdles at Aintree last month.

Stablemate Simonsig proved a tough nut to crack at the Merseyside venue but Bobs Worth made every yard of the running under Nico de Boinville and showed all his old battling qualities to claim a length-and-a-half verdict.

The win should have done his confidence the world of good and while it is something of a jump to assume he can recapture anywhere near his best form over fences, the fact he lines up off a 7lb lower mark than three years ago should be noted.

De Boinville clearly gets a good tune out of him and a victory for the old warrior would raise the roof.

Henderson should also be on the mark with Whisper in the bet365 Long Distance Hurdle.

He disappointed when second on his first attempt over fences back in January, prompting Henderson to readjust his sights and return to the smaller obstacles resulting in fifth place in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

He turned that form with Festival winner Cole Harden on its head when the pair met at Aintree, running out a clear-cut three-and-a-half-length winner with the minimum of fuss.

Admittedly Whisper was a fresher horse that day but it was a decisive victory and off a level playing field here, he can gain the day once again.

Grade One honours are up for grabs in Newcastle's StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle and it is Irish raider Identity Thief who can take the prize.

Henry de Bromhead's runner is taking a big leap up in class but his recent Grade Two verdict at Down Royal points to this being a logical step.

He made all for a decisive success on what was just his sixth career start and looks open to the required improvement needed to feature.

Silm Pickens is the choice in the Betfair Price Rush Handicap Hurdle at Bangor, while Katachenko can follow up his recent Wetherby success in the betdaq.com 50% Commission Refund Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Doncaster.

Charlie Appleby can score with both Winslow and Sparring at Wolverhampton.

Winslow beat subsequent Norfolk Stakes hero Baitha Alga last term and merits respect as he lines up in the Ladbrokes Handicap, with Sparring fancied to pick up where he left off in the spring and secure a fourth win on the bounce in the Coral Handicap.