15:00 Cheltenham

Sunday 17 November 2019

All12:4513:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:00

Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 4m 10.64s

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Selected odds by:

Mohaayed^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 149| C| D

33/1

Won Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot (by 2¼ lengths from Lisp) in December, having finished only seventh in this corresponding race. Still high enough in the weights, and ran poorly in the Welsh Champion Hurdle last month.

Form: 1479-50

Quel Destin²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| CD

13/2

Won Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow in December and fifth here in the Triumph Hurdle. Won well in a four-year-old hurdle over C&D (heavy) last month, and claims despite his big weight.

Form: 11115-1

Gumball^h¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 147| D

9/1

Looked like he might scale the points as a juvenile, but jumping has let him down at times. Put it all together when winning a Listed handicap at Ascot last month under this rider, and respected for all he doesn't want the ground too soft.

Form: 21/49-31

Monsieur Lecoq²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 145| D

9/1

Lightly raced and made good progress last season, albeit well held in the County Hurdle here in March. Resumed progress with a game win in the Welsh Champion Hurdle last month, and leading claims with conditions to suit, and further progress likely.

Form: F1120-1

Countister²⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141| D

16/1

Made her reappearance last season in the County Hurdle here in March, and ran a huge race to be third. Probably feeling effects of that when well beaten next time, and not taken lightly having had another restorative break.

Form: 2115/30-

Harambe³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 137| D

16/1

Won at Kempton and Market Rasen last term before chasing home Getaway Trump in a valuable series final at Sandown. Disappointing in Persian War at Chepstow last month, and not easy to fancy, even if that was needed.

Form: 44112-7

Benny's Bridge²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 137| CD

9/2

Plenty of style and substance in his win here in January, and resumed on upward curve with an impressive 8L win over C&D last month. Up 10lb for that, but that rise does look justified.

Form: 41719-1

Zanza¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 136| D

9/1

Well held in Betfair Hurdle at Ascot and Silver Trophy at Chepstow, but has won his other two handicap starts at Newbury. Unpenalised for latest win in a conditional riders' race, but hood he's worn for both wins is left off now.

Form: 8101-P1

Dame De Compagnie^h⁵⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132| C| D

6/1

Looked promising when winning on debut for this trainer at Uttoxeter, and got back on the up when winning a Listed novice over 2½m here in April 2018. Off since, but appears the yard's first string on riding arrangements.

Form: 221521/

Humble Hero^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 131| BF| D

20/1

Decent Flat handicapper for William Haggas. Off the mark for current yard over hurdles at Newbury in March, but looked in a little trouble when falling at Ludlow on his return. Would almost certainly prefer better ground, and opposable on balance.

Form: 2213-F

Quoi De Neuf³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 129

7/1

Winner at Aintree on hurdles bow last season, showing useful form. Belatedly built on that when a good second of 9 to Speed Company in a 2m handicap at Chepstow last month. Unexposed and should continue to climb the ladder.

Form: 1/142-2

Torcello⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: M Goldstein| T: S Lycett| OR: 127| D

16/1

Back on the up since joining this yard in the summer, winning three handicaps on the bounce on soft/heavy ground at 1¼m-1½m. Patchy form over hurdles for previous yard, but could be well handicapped given recent upturn in form.

Form: U12509-

Monsieur D'Arque^t1²¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: William Marshall⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| BF| D

25/1

Made all to score in decent style at Ludlow in February, but weakened late when only fourth at Newton Abbot on final start last season. Point winner remains unexposed, but he has something to find in this company. Tongue tied now.

Form: 5/14414-

De Mazzaro^h,t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Darragh O'keeffe⁽³⁾| T: T G McCourt| OR: 123| D

25/1

Built on a series of placed efforts when a decisive winner at Galway last time, scoring by by 3L from Top Moon. Now 15lb higher, and probably needs to improve again to get involved.

Form: 833321

Non-Runners

Grapevine¹⁵

Weight: 10-0| Age: 6

T: Mrs S Leech J: C Brace

Forecasts

Benny's Bridge (9/2), Dame De Compagnie (6/1), Quel Destin (13/2), Quoi De Neuf (7/1), Gumball (9/1), Monsieur Lecoq (9/1), Zanza (9/1), Harambe (16/1), Countister (16/1), Torcello (16/1), Humble Hero (20/1), Monsieur D'Arque (25/1), De Mazzaro (25/1), Mohaayed (33/1), Grapevine (33/1)

An open contest, if not the highest quality renewal. Monsieur Lecoq has obvious claims after his battling Welsh Champion Hurdle win, while Benny's Bridge has an excellent record here, and won easily last month, but the vote goes to TORCELLO, who is handicapped on his Irish hurdles form, but has taken big steps forward back on the Flat for new connections. His owner plotted up last year's winner, and looks to have had this race in mind for some time.