15:50 Cheltenham

Saturday 22 October 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 5m 54.4s

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Selected odds by:

Salvador Ziggy⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| D

12/1

Progressive hurdler who made it 4-4 since joining Gordon Elliott when just holding on in a Down Royal conditions event in August. This much his stiffest assignment yet but it's likely he has more to offer for this stable.

Form: 78-1111

Mac Tottie^h,t¹⁹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 140

50/1

Won 2 races over the National fences at Aintree last season. Has his first hurdle start since 2019 here and surely a chance he's using this as a pipe-opener ahead of a return to Liverpool.

Form: 1FP631-

Botox Has²³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 140| C

9/2

Showed improved form to win Grade 2 National Spirit at Fontwell when last seen in February. Won at this meeting on his 2020 reappearance. The handicapper could have taken a higher view of the Fontwell form and he's much respected on return.

Form: P/F8231-

Macgiloney²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Daniel King⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 139| D

80/1

Bagged a 3m handicap at Listowel last month. Not in the same form when seventh at Gowran since. Others look better treated.

Form: P53917

Lieutenant Highway^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

12/1

Front-runner who won his first 4 starts this season, including a Bellewstown handicap. Winning run came to a halt in a useful conditions race at Listowel last month but he still performed with credit in third. Wouldn't be sure to benefit from this longer trip.

Form: 5-11113

The Real Whacker²⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 137

14/1

Left hurdling debut form behind to run out a surprise winner of maiden at Carlisle in December but showed that was no fluke when second in a 3m Doncaster Grade 2 7 weeks later. Unexposed now switching to handicap company on his return to action.

Form: 612-

Streets Of Doyen²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: D J O'Keeffe| T: T Gibney| OR: 136| CD

16/1

Mixed hurdling and chasing this season, performing with credit on most occasions, including fifth over 3m at Gowran 3 weeks ago on his first outing for a new stable.

Form: 6-U4235

An Tailliur¹⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136| BF| D

8/1

Went from strength to strength in handicap hurdles last season, winning a remarkable 7 times. Another good run when second at Cartmel (25f) in May and likely to be very competitive if resuming in similar form.

Form: 1U121-2

Silver Sheen^p¹⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132| D

20/1

Good second at Fairyhouse in April and had an excuse (ridden too aggressively) when pulled up at Punchestown 10 days later. Has left Jessica Harrington. One to note in the betting on return for new handler Fergal O'Brien.

Form: 06502P-

Skandiburg^t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: Charlotte Fuller| OR: 132| CD

40/1

Four-time hurdle winner for Olly Murphy. Posted much his best effort for this yard when second at Warwick in March. Down the field on recent Uttoxeter reappearance, though.

Form: 55592-7

Kansas City Chief^p¹⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss Victoria Malzard⁽⁷⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 131| CD

25/1

Veteran with a very good course record, winning this race and another competitive handicap (both under Victoria Malzard) for Neil Mulholland last season. Off 7 months, beaten only 6 lengths when last of 5 on recent Wetherby return/yard debut. Should be sharper now (regular cheekpieces also back on).

Form: 12210-5

Shoot First³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: P Byrnes⁽⁵⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 129| BF

9/4

Winner at Tipperary in June and shaped very well when second of 17 at Galway 4 weeks later. Not in anything like the same form at Listowel last month but no surprise were he to resume his progression, particularly if the betting speaks for him.

Form: 3R-4128

Panic Attack^b,t¹⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 125| C

13/2

Reacted very well to a blinkers and tongue tie combination in the spring, winning over 2½m here before a good second over 3m at Haydock. Contender if resuming in similar form.

Form: 3/2431-2

Moon King^t,v⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: B Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 120

14/1

No impact in 2 Flat starts this summer but different story back hurdling at Worcester at the end of August, winning a 6-runner 23f handicap. May find life tougher in this more competitive race, particularly as his jumping sometimes lacks fluency.

Form: 2P424-1

Story Rory^t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Ewing| T: T Gibney| OR: 117

40/1

Pair of wins in Ireland this summer and another good effort when third of 15 over 2½m at Listowel last month. This is tougher but he's unexposed at the trip.

Form: 00-1313

Non-Runners

Ask Dillon²⁵⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 9

T: F O'Brien J: Jack Hogan

Didtheyleaveuoutto¹⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 9

T: N J Gifford J: N F Houlihan

Ted's Friend²⁴

Weight: 10-2| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: Max Kendrick

Forecasts

Shoot First (9/4), Botox Has (9/2), Panic Attack (13/2), An Tailliur (8/1), Didtheyleaveuoutto (10/1), Salvador Ziggy (12/1), Lieutenant Highway (12/1), Moon King (14/1), The Real Whacker (14/1), Streets Of Doyen (16/1), Silver Sheen (20/1), Ask Dillon (20/1), Ted's Friend (25/1), Kansas City Chief (25/1), Skandiburg (40/1), Story Rory (40/1), Mac Tottie (50/1), Macgiloney (80/1)

The handicapper hasn't credited BOTOX HAS with much improvement for his Fontwell Grade 2 success in February (went up only 1 lb) and that viewpoint could turn out to be lenient. Gary Moore's charge has a good record when fresh and can see off Irish raider Shoot First, who disappointed last time but shaped very well at Galway prior to that. Didtheyleaveuoutto and Panic Attack complete the shortlist.