16:00 Cheltenham

Friday 12 November 2021

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:00

Valda Energy Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 4m 4.7s

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Selected odds by:

Percy's Word³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| BF| D

22/1

Useful stayer on Flat and has finally come good over hurdles, winning maiden/novices at Stratford in late-summer. Runner-up both starts since and mark remains a fair one back in a handicap.

Form: 221122

Howdyalikemenow²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 122| D

13/2

Fair maiden in Ireland who has improved upon joining present stable, landing Stratford novice (2m) prior to defying a penalty at Fakenham last month. Stiffer track will suit now handicapping. Claims.

Form: 6652-11

Longacre Square^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 122

100/1

Doubled hurdles tally in a Clonmel claimer (19.9f) in September (final start for Gordon Elliott). Not disgraced when third back in novice company for new yard in October but this mark demands more.

Form: R40613

Skippin Court⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: K C Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 121| D

12/1

Irish raider who showed improved form when taking 18-runner Listowel maiden hurdle (2m) in September, keeping on well. Goes handicapping in a competitive affair but consistency a definite plus.

Form: 34321

Castel Gandolfo^p,t¹¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Max Kendrick| T: F O'Brien| OR: 118| D

50/1

Maiden/novice handicap winner (at 2m) during the summer who ran best race yet when runner-up at Worcester (2m) in July, edged out late on. Returns with yard in good form but this tougher.

Form: 22-1132

Samba Dancer²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: F O'Brien| OR: 117| CD

6/1

Made a very bright start for new yard, completing hat-trick from 3 lb lower mark in a C&D event last month. Had nothing to spare then but no surprise to see him go well again.

Form: 352111

Maninsane²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117| D

20/1

Bumper winner who was left with simple task when off the mark over hurdles in a Market Rasen maiden (16.5f) in October. Yard continue in form and likely he has more to offer now handicapping.

Form: 4123F-1

Brorson²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 117

11/2

5-y-o who finished runner-up both starts in bumpers and bright start over hurdles, building on debut promise when runner-up in a C&D maiden 3 weeks ago. May do better now handicapping and considered.

Form: 262-232

Sashenka¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore| OR: 116| BF

13/2

Fairly useful on Flat (stays 2m) and again knocked on the door over hurdles when beaten only by one on a roll at Hereford 11 days ago. This tougher but foolish to rule out from unchanged mark.

Form: 223F2-2

Urabamba^t⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Burke| T: K Woollacott| OR: 116| D

200/1

Fair hurdler who only needed to match previous best when taking a weak Wexford maiden hurdle (2m) in August. Has since switched yards and this will demand a good deal more.

Form: 65-3821

Mc Alpine^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 115| D

33/1

Surprise 20/1 winner of a Listowel handicap (2m) in September but backed up improvement showed then when second in a Wexford novice last month. However, may be vulnerable to less exposed sorts.

Form: 240-012

Just The Man²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 114| D

16/1

Well served by return to patient tactics when off the mark over hurdles at Ludlow (15.7f) recently, leading last and quickening clear. 5 lb higher now but claims of hitting the frame in deeper race.

Form: 0327-31

Kavanaghs Cross²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 111

18/1

Maiden who looks sure to buck that trend soon, cementing positive start for new yard when second from 2 lb lower mark at Carlisle (20f) in October. Worth a second look dropping back down in trip.

Form: 45-2322

City Derby¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 111| D

10/1

Low-mileage 5-y-o who landed a bumper in January and better for hurdles debut when running out a good winner of a Perth maiden (16.2f) in May. Promises to do better again now handicapping.

Form: U154-1

Vocal Duke¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: T Lawes| OR: 109| D

14/1

Lightly raced in this sphere and solid start for new yard, landing handicaps at Uttoxeter/Fakenham in recent months. Handicapper applies more pressure, but his progress may not have finished.

Form: 3-74411

The Swagman¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: D J O'Keeffe| T: S Durack| OR: 108

16/1

Fairly useful bumper winner. Promise initially in maiden/novice hurdles during 2019 and proved he retains ability following lengthy absence on Flat last month. Market may guide back over hurdles.

Form: 441235/

Kalyptra^h¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: R J Smith| OR: 108

22/1

Runner-up sole start in points and has made the frame on each of his 3 appearances over hurdles, finding just one too good in a Wincanton novice (15.2f) recently. Opening mark looks workable.

Form: 244-2

Belgoprince^t²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Peter Carberry| T: A J Martin| OR: 105

10/1

Never threatened over hurdles at Navan in September but matched pick of his Flat form when comfortably taking 23-runner 14f handicap at that venue recently. Worth a look in betting for shrewd outfit.

Form: 0533-90

Non-Runners

Byzantine Empire¹²²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 4

T: F O'Brien J: Adrian Heskin

Flamenco De Kerser⁵⁶

Weight: 10-13| Age: 6

T: Mrs R Ford J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Brorson (11/2), Samba Dancer (6/1), Sashenka (13/2), Howdyalikemenow (13/2), City Derby (10/1), Belgoprince (10/1), Skippin Court (12/1), Byzantine Empire (12/1), Vocal Duke (14/1), Just The Man (16/1), The Swagman (16/1), Kavanaghs Cross (18/1), Maninsane (20/1), Flamenco De Kerser (20/1), Percy's Word (22/1), Kalyptra (22/1), Mc Alpine (33/1), Castel Gandolfo (50/1), Longacre Square (100/1), Urabamba (200/1)

A host of unexposed sorts in opposition in an ultra-competitive finale with the narrow vote in favour of KAVANAGHS CROSS. Despite remaining winless over hurdles, he arrives having run his best race yet when edged out late on at Carlisle recently and he's of definite interest from this sort of mark. Howdyalikemenow, Brorson, City Derby and Samba Dancer head up the list of dangers.