Bookies Wary Of Pipe Ace

Osana has been installed 8-1 favourite with the sponsors for The Ladbroke after 62 entries were received for the valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot on Saturday December 22.

The five-year-old, runner-up to Sizing Europe in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham, is trained by David Pipe, who won the race last year with Acambo.

The Nicholashayne-based handler was carrying on a family tradition as his father Martin trained the previous two scorers ? Desert Air in 2005 and Tamarinbleu in 2004.

Pipe junior bids to continue the winning run with Osana and his other entry Laustra Bad.

Irish trainer Willie Mullins is responsible for two of the three 9-1 co-favourites, Jayo and Viso, as well as 14-1 chance Deutschland.

Mullins said: 'Hopefully, I will have one or two runners.

'A lot will depend on the ground. If there is dry weather in the build-up, Viso is the likely runner, while if the going is soft then Jayo and Deutschland most probably will go.'

David Williams of Ladbrokes said: 'Osana warrants plenty of respect on the evidence of his impressive run at Cheltenham last month. His trainer took this race last year with Acambo and David Pipe's charge this year is our narrow 8-1 favourite.

'We will, of course, be looking out for the first signs of a gamble on one of the leading Irish challengers. Indian Pace looks a likely candidate for a possible gamble and the early money will no doubt tell us all we need to know.'

(C) PA Sport