15:45 Cheltenham
Saturday 27 October 2018
All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier)
- 4YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 7f 208y | Good to Soft | 20 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 5m 56.0s
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Selected odds by:
Not won over hurdles since September 2017 although won over fences in between. Competitive in last two handicaps last season off this mark with fourth at Haydock and second at Warwick but vulnerable to better handicapped sorts.
Former Phillip Hobbs inmate won last season on heavy ground at Ffos Las but after two good second subsequently he then lost his way. 13lb higher than win and faster ground not ideal.
Dual novice winner in 2017 stayed on well last twice at Market Rasen (second) and Chepstow (fifth). New territory trip wise but looks likely to stay and could prove well handicapped if indeed he does given relative inexperience.
C&D handicap winner last season followed up next over 3m1f at Warwick. 10lb rise then slowed him in his next three starts and while he gets a bit back now he remains 6lb higher than Warwick so needs a career best.
No surprise he was 28/1 on the back of two pulled-up efforts when winning his final start last season at Sandown. Handicapper not been overly harsh for that but far from consistent overall and faster ground than most of his racing here.
Returns to hurdling after unseating on chase debut at Fontwell. Consistent last year with three seconds before fair ninth at Cheltenham Festival and fifth at Aintree. Likable sort but handicapper may have his measure.
Only won once over hurdles (October 2014) and more known for his chasing exploits including winning 4m2f Midlands National last March. Hard to gauge in first hurdle race for over three years but needs true marathons to excel.
Battled to success in latest start over 2m5½f in a Newton Abbot handicap back in May, his second win in four hurdles starts. Looked as if he might appreciate this sort of test in both wins so could improve and therefore is respected.
Won three times last season at up to 2m4f. Pulled-up in last two starts after back-to-back wins so possibly went over the top. New trip here and not entirely convinced he will stay it.
2m5f winner at Warwick back in March in a maiden hurdle before set an impossible task in a Punchestown Grade one (100/1). Unexposed but probably a tough task in just his fourth hurdles start.
20/1 winner here in April over 2m4½f which was the furthest she had raced over at the time. Seemed to not last 2m7f next at Worcester before second at Market Rasen over 2m5½f. Mark is fair but stamina still a doubt.
Irish raiders one from 20 record isn't appealing but he arrives on the back of three straight placed efforts, doing his best work late in each. Stiff finish here and likely strong gallop to suit so merits respect with top jockey booked.
Dual winner in Ireland looked like hacking up on debut for this yard at Uttoxeter but eventually had to work after idling in front. 6lb rise may not fully account for his superiority overall and could well have more to come so has decent claims.
Much improved mare has won three and finished second three of her last seven races since switching to 3m plus. All ground alike and won at up to 3m2½f so positives aplenty especially with fitness assured and leading contender here.
Won twice over fences last season before falling here in final start. Third over hurdles at Aintree to start last season and given improvement subsequently over fences he is of some interest here if fully wound up for return.
40/1 second in this race last year his best run of the campaign and arguably career. Didn't run again until laboured return at Leciester and fell when beaten latest at Fontwell so hard to be confident.
Former Irish trained gelding won on debut for this yard at Market Rasen before latest third to Timeforben at Newton Abbot. 8lb better off for that 5½L defeat now so could turn the tables and certainly should get closer.
Built on three promising placed efforts when winning first race at Sedgefield (2m4f) and followed up despite wandering under pressure at Market Rasen (2m7f). Disappointed next and returns with unfamiliar ground likely.
Improved since switched to this yard as many do, winning three of her first five before latest second when stepped up to 3m at Southwell. Upped 6lb for that effort in a tougher race but going the right way and jockey booking a positive.
Gained first win since 2015 when winning over 2m7f at Exeter in May, his last race. Conditions here should suit and 6lb rise not overly harsh but overall profile shows him not to be the most reliable.
Forecasts
Theclockisticking (11/2), Wait For Me (7/1), Notwhatiam (15/2), Perfect Man (8/1), Dawn Raider (10/1), Angel of Harlem (12/1), Timeforben (12/1), Red Infantry (14/1), The Mighty Don (16/1), The Eaglehaslanded (16/1), General Consensus (20/1), King Calvin (20/1), Sykes (22/1), Max Forte (25/1), Aaron Lad (25/1), Goodbye Dancer (28/1), Milrow (28/1), Rejaah (28/1), Landin (40/1), Regal Flow (50/1)
THECLOCKISTICKING has looked to be crying out for a step up in trip the last twice despite running well on each occasion and he could improve markedly now getting such a test so he gets the vote. Timeforben has been a revelation since tackling staying trips and she looks sure to go well once again given her recent form. Irish challenger Dawn Raider often arrives too late on the scene but the likely fast gallop and uphill finish could suit ideally.
- Theclockisticking
- Timeforben
- Dawn Raider
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £15,475.002nd: £4,595.003rd: £2,298.004th: £1,145.005th: £575.006th: £290.007th: £145.008th: £70.00
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