16:25 Cheltenham

Wednesday 19 April 2023

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

Safran Landing Systems Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 5m 52.6s

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Selected odds by:

On The Blind Side^p²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141| CD

14/1

One-time smart hurdler who cashed in from a career-low mark at Newbury (24.2f) in March, finding extra when tackled. Remains well treated on old form but whether he'll turn up in the same groove is open to question.

Form: 6P4-PP1

Press Your Luck⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁷⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 138| D

12/1

Made winning return/chase debut at Chepstow (23.6f) in October but struggled over both sets of obstacles next 4 starts (failed to complete on 3). However, did return to form back from 8 weeks off to score at Wincanton in February (2-2 at that venue). Still low-mileage at this trip.

Form: 1UPP01

Hurricane Harvey^t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 127| D

33/1

Overall record is a mixed one but back on his game when landing handicaps at Uttoxeter/Ludlow around the turn of the year. Creditable third over 3m at Newbury on his penultimate run but he does need to shrug off a lesser display behind On The Blind Side back at that venue 26 days ago.

Form: 811539

Abuffalosoldier⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 127| D

13/2

Low-mileage type who stepped up on his comeback run to make first start at 3m a winning one at Newbury in November. Similar form when third behind Hector Javilex over C&D on New Year's Day and he looked a threat before weakening out of things from 2 out at Musselburgh in February.

Form: 10-3130

Broadway Boy²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126

3/1

Well served by quick switch to handicaps/step up to around 3m, doubling his career tally at Market Rasen (23f) 3 weeks ago, looking all about stamina. Assessor applies further pressure but highly likely there's more to come and he's a big player here.

Form: 2214U1

Royaume Uni⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 126

15/2

Useful on Flat and reached a similar standard over hurdles when scoring twice in handicap company last season. Good return to hurdling when second at Plumpton (20.5f) in October and whilst he's disappointed both starts since, he has faced softer ground. Mark is steadily easing.

Form: 122-20P

Santos Blue^t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 126

11/4

Winning pointer who has shown much-improved form under this rider since being refitted with a tongue strap, career best display as he rattled off the hat-trick with good deal to spare at Kelso (20.8f) 46 days ago. Feasible to think he can do better again on that evidence. Big player upped to 3m.

Form: 757111

Silver Flyer^b1³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124| D

28/1

Made it third time lucky in handicaps when staying on to lead close home at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) just after Christmas. Not in anything like the same form either start since though, pulled up in first-time cheekpieces at Uttoxeter (23.3f) 32 days ago. Blinkers now reached for.

Form: 2-2413P

Bells Of Peterboro⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 123| D

10/1

Consistent sort who again made the frame when third in 15-runner Chepstow handicap (23.6f) in February, rallying well to gain that place close home. Assessor has relinquished his grip but he remains 3 lb above last winning mark.

Form: 223273

The Kniphand²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 122| D

10/1

Improved model switched to handicaps/upped to 3m, displaying an excellent attitude as he made it 3 wins from last 4 starts at Market Rasen (23f) in March (clear with runner-up). Another holding claims from this yard.

Form: 5411P1

Landen Calling^b,t²³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 120

16/1

Has raised his game since equipped with blinkers, dominant as he doubled tally at Market Rasen (23f) last July. Made a good fist of things when second from 11 lb higher mark at Worcester (23f) the following month but he has been absent since.

Form: 7-12312

Non-Runners

Hector Javilex³⁴

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: C E Longsdon J: Lily Pinchin

Forecasts

Santos Blue (11/4), Broadway Boy (3/1), Abuffalosoldier (13/2), Royaume Uni (15/2), The Kniphand (10/1), Bells Of Peterboro (10/1), Hector Javilex (10/1), Press Your Luck (12/1), On The Blind Side (14/1), Landen Calling (16/1), Silver Flyer (28/1), Hurricane Harvey (33/1)

SANTOS BLUE took another marked step forward and completed the hat-trick to boot when running out an impressive winner at Kelso last month and a 6 lb higher mark shouldn't prevent another bold bid from Dan Skelton's progressive 6-y-o. Similar comments apply to Broadway Boy and he rates the chief threat on the back of his Market Rasen success. Hector Javilex and The Kniphand complete the shortlist.