15:00 Cheltenham

Saturday 28 October 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 6m 5.27s

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Selected odds by:

Flight Deck^b1²²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Chris Ward⁽³⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 142| D

66/1

Pretty smart on his day for Jonjo O'Neill but ended his time with that stable on a low note and a watching brief is advised on his return for a new yard with first-time blinkers replacing cheekpieces.

Form: 1/P21P7-

Espoir De Romay^p,t¹⁶¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 138WS

14/1

Very capable sort who has been lightly raced in recent seasons, but he again ran with credit when third in 23f Uttoxeter handicap hurdle back in May. Undergone wind surgery ahead of return with a tongue tie also refitted.

Form: 33P/52-3

Jet Of Magic^p,t⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: James Turner⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 136| BF

18/1

Positive start for new yard, winning over hurdles at Uttoxeter (23f) in July. Every chance when unseated back there 4 weeks later and respectable third on his Worcester chase debut since. Jumped rather erratically and quickly reverts to hurdles.

Form: 3U4-1U3

Bugs Moran³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: K M Donoghue| T: N Meade| OR: 136| BF| D

6/1

Useful hurdler who has recorded excellent runner-up efforts at Galway (22.5f) and Listowel (2½m) since returning from a long absence. Likely to give another good account now returning to 3m.

Form: 4312/22

Rock My Way¹⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: M G Nolan| T: S Hosie| OR: 135| C| D

16/1

Winning Irish pointer who landed a course Grade 2 novice hurdle in January. Disappointing back here in 2 subsequent outings in the spring but he reappears with his yard in better form. Unexposed.

Form: 3/121P9-

Party Business^p¹⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 134WS

18/1

Landed a big handicap at Aintree in spring 2022 but drawn a blank since, albeit he ran respectably for fourth of 16 at Haydock (3m) when last seen in May. Has had wind surgery.

Form: 1/4950-4

Moonovercloon¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 132| BF

18/1

Two wins this season and every chance of another when falling at the last at Listowel (2½m) in September. Showed himself none the worse for that when fourth of 17 at Punchestown (2½m again) 17 days ago. Stamina the unknown now tackling 3m for the first time.

Form: 1341F4

Hugos New Horse¹⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132

9/2

Likeable type who made it 4 wins in his last 5 starts when showing a typically tenacious attitude to see off 4 rivals at the Ayr Scottish National meeting in April. Steps up to 3m for the first time on reappearance. Likely to go on to even better things this season.

Form: 111131-

Willaston^p,t⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 131| C| DWS

25/1

Progressive in the spring, winning competitive handicaps here (2½m) and at Haydock (3m). Had his winning run ended when a well-held fourth at Uttoxeter in July. Given a break since (has had wind surgery).

Form: 5F21-14

Hurricane Harvey^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130| D

33/1

Recorded back-to-back wins around 3m at Uttoxeter and Ludlow last winter. Made a creditable return from 6 months off when third of 5 back at Uttoxeter 3 weeks ago but this looks a much deeper race.

Form: 15392-3

Judicial Law^p⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130

20/1

Gained a third win of the season when leading in the dying strides over 3¼m at Kelso last month. First-time cheekpieces worn on that occasion are retained. Another who can't be discounted.

Form: 5-11331

We'llhavewan^t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 129

11/1

Strong in the market and back to winning ways at Killarney (22.5f, good to soft) when last seen in August. His British mark isn't obviously generous but anything this yard sends over merits plenty of respect.

Form: 42-1691

Hyland²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 129

9/1

Better than ever when landing a third handicap hurdle success on his 21f Warwick reappearance 23 days ago. Did that quite readily so a 6 lb rise looks fair enough.

Form: 21327-1

Ringdufferin^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: J C Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 127| D

25/1

Much improved for cheekpieces, making all in a novice at Downpatrick (21.5f, soft) and handicap at Gowran (3m, heavy) last month. Will find it harder to dominate this field but still merits consideration for his top Irish stable.

Form: 4-64211

Bangers And Cash²²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 127| D

33/1

Progressed into a useful staying chaser last season, winning 3 of his last 4 starts. Has a slightly lower mark to work with back hurdling on his reappearance.

Form: U/51101-

Dubrovnik Harry^t²⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 125

9/1

Third in the competitive EBF Final at Sandown in his novice season. Didn't progress in a light campaign last term but he remains low mileage.

Form: 123/3P6-

American Sniper¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 125

33/1

Showed a good attitude when winning first 2 completed starts over hurdles. Another good run when just touched off on his 19f Taunton handicap debut in January but hasn't repeated that since, albeit he may have needed his recent Chepstow reappearance. Jack Tudor on Bashful Boy.

Form: 2P263-7

Bashful Boy^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 125

12/1

Back-to-back winner on the Flat at the start of the summer and completed a hat-trick back hurdling at Newton Abbot (21.5f) in July. Well suited by the emphasis on stamina when fourth of 31 in the 2¼m Cesarewitch at Newmarket a fortnight ago and that suggests he'll be suited by this step up to 3m.

Form: 55FF-19

Gortmillish²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: D J Gilligan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 123| D

11/1

Maiden/novice hurdle winner back from a long absence this summer. Advanced his form again when fourth in a 23f rated novice at Killarney 4 weeks ago and he's unexposed now moving into handicap company for Gordon Elliott. On the shortlist.

Form: 224/114

Spike Jones^t²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 121WS

22/1

Successful twice over 3¼m at Fontwell last season and ended the campaign with a near miss at Kelso in March. Likeable type but might prove vulnerable in deeper on reappearance. Has had wind surgery.

Form: 331412-

Forecasts

Hugos New Horse (9/2), Bugs Moran (6/1), Hyland (9/1), Dubrovnik Harry (9/1), We'llhavewan (11/1), Gortmillish (11/1), Bashful Boy (12/1), Espoir De Romay (14/1), Rock My Way (16/1), Moonovercloon (18/1), Jet Of Magic (18/1), Party Business (18/1), Judicial Law (20/1), Spike Jones (22/1), Willaston (25/1), Ringdufferin (25/1), Hurricane Harvey (33/1), American Sniper (33/1), Bangers And Cash (33/1), Flight Deck (66/1)

BUGS MORAN has been better than ever in 2 outings back from a long absence and there could be more to come now returning to 3m so he gets the vote. The likeable Hugos New Horse isn't opposed lightly and is second choice now stepping up to 3m for the first time. Gordon Elliott's Gortmillish and recent Cesarewitch fourth Bashful Boy also make the shortlist in a race where a case can be made for many.