12:15 Cheltenham

Saturday 29 January 2022

All12:1512:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

SSS Super Alloys Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:15 | Winning time: 4m 7.84s

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Selected odds by:

Masters Legacy^t1¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 136| BF

9/1

Scored on return at Chepstow (2m) in October and filled runners-up spot on 2 of his 3 starts since, albeit no match for an easy winner latest. Mark may be about right but he should go well again.

Form: 46-1252

The Widdow Maker^h,t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 134

18/1

Looked better than ever on back of a wind op when successful on return at Wincanton (15.2f) in December. Possibly did a bit much in front at Kempton since and this mark unlikely to prove beyond him.

Form: 3110-15

Geromino^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 133WS

20/1

Rattled off a novice/handicap hurdle hat-trick late prior to going down fighting behind Tommy's Oscar at Doncaster (16.5f) in December. Raced freely at Musselburgh since and had wind op since.

Form: 411127

Cormier⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Burke| T: B Ellison| OR: 130

9/2

Dual winner on Flat last term who ran well to finish fourth in Welsh Champion Hurdle in October. Significant error caught him out in the Greatwood Hurdle next time and he's worth a look here.

Form: 170-240

Hystery Bere^t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: T Symonds| OR: 128| D

10/1

Fairly useful hurdler in France who confirmed his opening mark lenient when successful on return at Fontwell (17.7f) last month. This understandably deeper but that may not prove his limit.

Form: 21213-1

Glory And Honour^t⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 126

12/1

Good second in 2m Taunton handicap hurdle last month but came down heavily at the ninth on debut over fences at Ffos Las next time and he's back up class returned to timber now.

Form: 333-02F

Kihavah^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: A Keatley| OR: 124

18/1

Progressive over hurdles this winter, taking a marked step forward in form terms when landing a novices' handicap at Newcastle (16.2f) 11 days ago, easily. Assessor has reacted, though.

Form: 68321

Hydroplane^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: Ian Williams| OR: 124| D

16/1

Progressive last term, notching up 4 victories and quickly back from a blip when regaining winning ways at Sandown (2m) 3 weeks ago, well-served by prominent tactics on the day. 3 lb higher now.

Form: 5211-P1

Severance³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 122| D

5/1

Useful on Flat and made an impressive winning debut over hurdles in 17f Carlisle maiden 14 months ago. 2m5f probably not his bag so far this term and mark has eased if bouncing back returned to 2m.

Form: 153-94

Byzantine Empire^t⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122| D

6/1

Made an excellent start over hurdles for present yard, gaining third success from last 4 starts at Doncaster (16.5f) latest, coming clear with runner-up. Feasible to think that won't prove his limit.

Form: 5-31211

Lively Citizen⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Archie Bellamy⁽⁷⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 117| CD

9/2

Consistent, prominent racer who showed greater resolution than the runner-up when doubling hurdles tally over C&D in December. No reason why he won't give another good account of himself.

Form: 2233-31

Ashutor^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 112| D

80/1

Justified cramped odds in a couple of small-field handicap chases in summer 2020 for Paul Nicholls. However, hasn't been enough in 3 starts for present stable to make him of interest back over hurdles

Form: 955-P55

Forecasts

Cormier (9/2), Lively Citizen (9/2), Severance (5/1), Byzantine Empire (6/1), Masters Legacy (9/1), Hystery Bere (10/1), Glory And Honour (12/1), Hydroplane (16/1), The Widdow Maker (18/1), Kihavah (18/1), Geromino (20/1), Ashutor (80/1)

A really intriguing handicap to kick off, with the narrow vote in favour of CORMIER. Undone by a significant error in the Greatwood Hurdle when last seen, he appeals as being on a workable mark on the balance of his hurdle form and he's expected to go well. Easy Fontwell winner Hystery Bere and Byzantine Empire are just a couple of others to consider.