14:10 Cheltenham
Thursday 12 March 2020
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 7f 213y | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 24 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 0.22s
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Winner of this last year off a 7lb lower mark, he qualified to defend his crown with an eye-catching fourth at Warwick last time. Usual cheekpieces (worn last year) now exchanged for first-time blinkers; likely to make a bold bid.
Former smart Graded level stayer who qualified for this with a modest fifth at Haydock last time (first handicap run for four years). Would look on a fair mark based on his old form but well into the veteran stage now; others appeal more.
Previous Festival winner over fences; took his first race in a while when capitalising on a drop in grade at Clonmel (3m, soft). Shaped better than the bare result in a Leopardstown qualifier (did best work at finish), looks one for the shortlist.
Not seen since his winning spree (won previous five races) was ended in the Wincanton qualifier on Boxing Day although he ran another cracker to be second. Will be well suited by this trip/test, course winner (Old), has each-way claims.
Fair hurdler, rather inexperienced for a test like this and was pulled up on his only previous visit here. Regained his composure last time at Musselburgh but finished well held; first-time hood now joins the tongue-tie worn last time; lacks appeal.
Sixth in this in 2018 (caught the eye) he's been lightly-raced since but shaped well in the influential Punchestown qualifier last time (third). Not knocked about with headgear back on given his previous run in this he's one to keep an eye on.
Started the season well taking two top-class staying handicaps at Aintree and Haydock. Quickly returned to hurdles after unseating on chase debut finishing one place behind Sire Du Berlais at Warwick; needs a real test, likely to get that here.
Improving sort who proved his worth when taking the EBF Final at Sandown on handicap debut (relished the soft conditions). Chasing career quickly shelved for a return to hurdles; improved again to take Wincanton qualifier from Jatiluwih; in the mix.
2018 Albert Bartlett winner he's not won in this sphere since and despite running with credit has yet to recapture his novice form. Finished in front of a couple when qualifying at Haydock but has work to do with Welsh Saint; needs a real slog.
Better known as a chaser although he's yet to real sparkle in that sphere this year running flat at Doncaster last time. Often given a prominent ride he'll find it difficult to dominate this field; not won over hurdles since 2017; others appeal more.
Winner of three of his last four hurdles starts (form working out well) he hit new heights when winning over C&D on New Year's Day. Responded in game fashion having looked to struggle at some points to beat Rapper; sure to go well given a real test.
Useful hurdler with wins to his name at Limerick and Musselburgh this season over 3m. Ran creditably in a qualifier back at the latter track last time over 2f further than his win there; mark looks stiff enough, one of the lesser Irish lights.
Progressing well and confirmed the view that he's a real staying type with a 3m win at Haydock last time on handicap debut (three of today's rivals well beaten). Totally unexposed as a stayer, he's open to further progress, should make a bold bid.
From an owner/trainer combination that are worth noting in this event he's been very lightly-raced in the last two seasons but boasts some strong handicap form when he does appear. Good second when last seen; worth noting any positive vibes.
Useful staying handicapper whose best recent performance was when winning at Hereford (2m4f, soft) in December. Only seen once since when recording a creditable fourth in the Lanzarote Hurdle; handicapper may just be in control now.
2018 Champion Bumper winner for Willie Mullins, she's only been seen four times over hurdles since. Shaped encouragingly on first run/handicap debut for this yard in the significant Punchestown qualifier (easily best of those held up); fine chance.
Smart chaser (below best last time) who has been running well/consistently from his lower hurdles mark prior to his chasing flop. Not as well handicapped here though off his GB mark; needs to progress to get involved.
Took a qualifier for this series at Market Rasen (beat Copper Gone West, 4L) confirming the promise shown on his seasonal return. Took another significant step forward when second to Skandiburg over C&D last time (raced on the speed); fair claims.
Continues in good heart and went one better than her second to Rapper when taking a Doncaster handicap against her own sex in December. Run with credit since then in two mares' Listed contests; lack of jumping fluency tempers any enthusiasm.
Useful hurdler showing his best form when taking two Thurles novice events looking as though a greater test would suit each time. Failed to progress on handicap debut (first-time cheekpieces) at Punchestown just behind two of today's main rivals.
Veteran who is better known for his chasing exploits who ran respectably last time in this sphere (first run over hurdles since July 2017). Strong at the finish he never really launched a threat; hard to think he's good enough at the weights.
Three-time novice hurdle winner last year over staying trip he's been lightly-raced since. Returns from wind surgery having been very weak in the market when last seen at Uttoxeter (last of five); yet to win a handicap and faces a tough test.
One of three veterans in this a group that have a poor record in this contest. That said he has run with credit this year taking a Taunton handicap in December but off a much lower mark; blotted his copybook when running out at the last recently.
In good form in far weaker summer handicaps at up to 2m4f and only just qualified for this event when last seen with a modest sixth at Kempton. Now has to overcome a long absence and a stiff handicap mark, hard to recommend.
Forecasts
The Storyteller (11/2), Relegate (11/2), Welsh Saint (6/1), Skandiburg (9/1), Sire Du Berlais (10/1), Tout Est Permis (12/1), Third Wind (12/1), Dream Berry (14/1), Rapper (16/1), Jatiluwih (16/1), A Great View (16/1), Royal Thief (20/1), Kilbricken Storm (20/1), Stoney Mountain (25/1), Unowhatimeanharry (33/1), Rocket Lad (33/1), Guitar Pete (50/1), Dingo Dollar (50/1), Kansas City Chief (66/1), Sunset Showdown (66/1), Burrows Park (66/1), Fred The Foot (100/1), Copper Gone West (100/1), Doubly Clever (125/1)
Something of an Irish “banker” as they have taken the last four renewals with Gordon Elliott responsible for the last two and he has a strong chance again with last year’s winner Sire Du Berlais (now in first-time blinkers) and previous Festival winner The Storyteller. The Punchestown qualifier has been influential as a guide over the years and Relegate (previous Festival winner), A Great View and Royal Thief represent that form. WELSH SAINT represents the best of the GB squad with the selection looking unexposed as a stayer. Stoney Mountain and the amateur-ridden Jatiluwih are two others that are noted at decent prices.
- Welsh Saint
- Sire Du Berlais
- A Great View
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £56,270.002nd: £21,200.003rd: £10,610.004th: £5,300.005th: £2,660.006th: £1,330.007th: £660.008th: £340.00
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