15:15 Cheltenham

Saturday 24 October 2020

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 5m 53.12s

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Selected odds by:

Tobefair²²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 152| CD

11/2

Good track record, including winning this on reappearance last season. Fine sixth in Stayers' at the Festival when last seen in March and each-way player with Jack Tudor taking handy 5 lb off.

Form: 21/1346-

Honest Vic^v²²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 141

12/1

Improved to win twice around 21f last season, including on reappearance. Good fifth in Coral Cup here in March and he's often left the impression this step up to 3m will suit. Not discounted.

Form: U5/1415-

Champagne Court^t²²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 134WS

8/1

Runner-up in Silver Trophy at Chepstow on last year's reappearance and went on to show useful form over fences, winning twice. Lower mark back hurdling so could easily play a part. Has had wind op.

Form: 3/21158-

The Devils Drop⁷⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 134| D

50/1

Progressive when racking up a hat-trick around 3m in summer 2018 but hasn't been since and can only really be watched in a race of this nature after such a long absence.

Form: 335111/

Minella Warrior^p,t⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 133| D

22/1

Useful 3m hurdle winner. Similar form when runner-up on course chase debut a year ago but hasn't built on that since, including when 12 lengths second of 3 latest. Switches back to hurdles now.

Form: 21/3P-42

Lock's Corner^p,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130| D

20/1

Very much going right way, scoring over hurdles on final 2 starts last year. Has extended winning run to 4 in handicap chases at Southwell and Bangor this term. Respected despite another 10 lb rise.

Form: 4611-11

Ballon Onabudget⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 130

12/1

Irish bumper winner who has progressed steadily over hurdles since joining this yard, resuming winning ways when seeing off Story of Friends at Newton Abbot latest. Up 5 lb but unexposed at 3m+.

Form: 21F-231

Flinck¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130

8/1

Won first 2 starts in handicap company last season. Fine third of 11 to Tea Clipper n 19.5f Silver Trophy at Chepstow on reappearance and good chance he has more to offer now stepping up to 3m.

Form: 3/3115-3

Neville's Cross¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: R M Power| T: T Lacey| OR: 130

10/3

Different proposition since switched to handicap company and stepped up in trip, winning on Uttoxeter return and following up in emphatic style at Hereford (25f). Even a 12 lb rise may not stop him.

Form: 2453-11

Sirobbie²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Adrian Heskin| T: H Whittington| OR: 130

16/1

All 5 wins over 23f at Uttoxeter, the latest in 12-runner event 3 weeks ago. 6lb higher in a stronger race now so he will require another career best to follow up.

Form: 1P-6261

Cotswold Way^b¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129

66/1

Things didn't go to plan over fences and he's made no significant impact back hurdling last twice, finishing behind reopposing stablemate Flinck in Silver Trophy at Chepstow 2 weeks ago. Up in trip.

Form: 225-776

Speredek²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 129

50/1

Smart front-running chaser at his best and has scored twice in this sphere, too. However, there hasn't been enough in his 2 runs this season to suggest he's likely to play a prominent role here.

Form: 67P8-64

Story Of Friends^b,t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 128| BF| D

14/1

Took his form to new level when taking 26.5f Newton Abbot handicap last month. Just as good when second to Ballon Onabudget back there a week later but he's another 5lb higher now.

Form: 28-F512

Kansas City Chief^p²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss Victoria Malzard⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 128| D

18/1

Taunton winner last in December. Also a creditable sixth of 24 in the Final of this series last March but he does need to bounce back from a below-par run on his reappearance 3 weeks ago.

Form: 012R6-6

Bailarico^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex| OR: 125| D

150/1

No significant impact on the Flat this year and he was well held back hurdling at Uttoxeter last time. Easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 13140/9

I'd Better Go Now^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

7/1

Took handicap record to 3-4 when justifying strong market support at Perth (3m) last month. Won going away in that steadily-run contest and there's surely more to come as his stamina is drawn out.

Form: 57/161-1

Goodbye Dancer^t⁷⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 125| CD

20/1

Well ridden when making first start for Fergal O'Brien a winning one here last December but he's failed kick on since, including a well-held sixth both runs this term.

Form: 1F00-66

Non-Runners

Vaniteux⁶

Weight: 10-0| Age: 11

T: Mrs S Leech J: Sean Houlihan

Forecasts

Neville's Cross (10/3), Tobefair (11/2), I'd Better Go Now (7/1), Flinck (8/1), Champagne Court (8/1), Honest Vic (12/1), Ballon Onabudget (12/1), Story Of Friends (14/1), Sirobbie (16/1), Kansas City Chief (18/1), Lock's Corner (20/1), Goodbye Dancer (20/1), Minella Warrior (22/1), Vaniteux (33/1), The Devils Drop (50/1), Speredek (50/1), Cotswold Way (66/1), Bailarico (150/1)

A really good handicap. NEVILLE'S CROSS had lots in hand at Hereford and may be capable of defying a double-figure rise with further progress very much on the cards. I'd Better Go Now is another who almost certainly has more to offer and rates a big threat, while Flinck leaves the impression 3m will suit and is also respected. Honest Vic and course-specialist Tobefair also make the shortlist.