14:55 Cheltenham

Saturday 18 November 2023

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:05

Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 6m 17.44s

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Selected odds by:

Buddy One²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: J G Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 147

9/4

Smart handicap hurdler who came out on top in ready fashion in 15-runner handicap at Galway (21.9f, heavy, 7/2) 21 days ago. 9 lb higher here but he's likeable and versatile and this trip ought to be within range.

Form: 232-431

Chantry House³²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 147| C| D

17/2

High-class chaser at his best but failed to complete for the third start in succession at Wetherby when last seen on Boxing Day. Finished third in the 2020 Supreme Novices' Hurdle on his last hurdle start.

Form: 1P1P/UF-

Dartan^b,t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: James Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 142| D

40/1

Resumed winning ways on the level at Bellewstown in August and followed up back over hurdles there a day later. However, not at his best on his last 2 starts on the Flat.

Form: 7/10-171

Shan Blue³²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| BF| D

12/1

Grade 1 winner as a novice who was in the process of delivering a most impressive display when falling 3 out in Charlie Hall on return 2 years ago. Raced only 3 times since and was pulled up when last seen on Boxing Day, but he goes well fresh so worth a second look back over hurdles.

Form: 52F62/P-

Minella Trump²¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 137| D

28/1

Well placed to win 8 his 9 starts in 2021-22 and made successful reappearance at Perth (23.8f) in June 2022. Failed to stay in Grand National on final start and it's possible this could be a pipe opener back over hurdles after 7 months off.

Form: 121/170-

Judicial Law^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133

5/1

Gained a third win of the season in first-time cheekpieces when leading in the dying strides over 3¼m at Kelso in September. Ran even better in defeat in a competitive handicap over C&D 3 weeks ago and seems highly likely to give another good account.

Form: 113312

Walking On Glass^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: A P Kelly⁽⁵⁾| T: P Roche| OR: 133| D

50/1

Ran right up to his best back hurdling on the back of a series of creditable efforts on the Flat when second in a Gowran handicap at the end of September. Wasn't up to better company at Thurles the following month but this is more suitable.

Form: UP-8924

Come On Teddy⁶¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 132| CD

25/1

Dual hurdles winner who hasn't been seen since pulling up over fences here 20 months ago and is probably best watched on his comeback.

Form: 36152P/

Real Steel^p²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: D E Mullins| T: E McNamara| OR: 126| D

16/1

One-time top-class chaser who shaped as if back in form when sixth of 12 in handicap chase (18/1) at Limerick (24f, heavy) 27 days ago. First hurdle start since April 2018.

Form: 210P-46

Placenet^t1⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 124

7/2

Useful hurdler/chaser in France who looks to have been handed a lenient opening mark on his UK/stable debut. Big chance if seeing out the longer trip.

Form: 142124

Moka De Vassy^p²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 123

10/1

Fairly useful maiden hurdler who put an underwhelming reappearance behind him back up in trip when third in 10-runner handicap at Exeter (23.1f, soft, 18/1) 25 days ago, despite jumping poorly. Needs to back that up now.

Form: 53FP-53

Polish^p⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122| D

22/1

Finished runner-up all 5 starts last season, including over fences, and has each-way claims if returning in similar form.

Form: 6/22222

Noble Birth^p1,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: C P McNamara| T: E McNamara| OR: 121

33/1

Dual winner over hurdles (at up to 25.7f) for Gordon Elliott last year. Pulled up on his yard debut at Gowran but bounced back to form when second in 9-runner handicap at Ayr (24.3f) 14 days ago, albeit well placed in a tactical affair. Nudged up 3 lb. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 5909-P2

The Newest One²³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 119| D

16/1

Fairly useful maiden hurdler who produced a laboured effort in a novice at Uttoxeter on final outing in April, but is capable fresh, so it's possible he could bounce back after a break.

Form: 4/5P223-

Hunting Percival^t⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: S Hosie| OR: 113

150/1

Bagged his second hurdles success at Stratford in August but below par in his 2 outings since (well-held third latterly). Hard to fancy from well out of the weights.

Form: 12P153

Forecasts

Buddy One (9/4), Placenet (7/2), Judicial Law (5/1), Chantry House (17/2), Moka De Vassy (10/1), Shan Blue (12/1), The Newest One (16/1), Real Steel (16/1), Polish (22/1), Come On Teddy (25/1), Minella Trump (28/1), Noble Birth (33/1), Dartan (40/1), Walking On Glass (50/1), Hunting Percival (150/1)

PLACENET could be on a very lenient mark starting out in Britain based on his French form, so he's well worth chancing over this longer trip. Buddy One is 9 lb higher than when winning at Galway last month but he seems sure to give another good account tackling a new trip that ought to be within range, while Judicial Law ran a cracker over C&D on his most recent outing and needs taking seriously, too.