15:35 Cheltenham

Friday 15 December 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Citipost Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 7.56s

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Selected odds by:

Bold Endeavour^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142| D

16/5

Won twice in this sphere as a novice for Laura Morgan and successful first 2 starts over fences for Nicky Henderson last season. Consistent in defeat in handicap hurdles of late, his latest fifth of 15 coming at Haydock coming in a very warm race. Should be on the premises again.

Form: 252-235

Captain Morgs^p⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| CD

12/1

Useful but not the most straightforward, hanging left off the bridle (also flashed tail) when second over fences at Huntingdon last month.

Form: 210P-42

Hermino AA²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129

18/1

Dual hurdles winner last term. Failed to complete in a couple of handicap chases last month but could get his career back on track now returned to hurdles.

Form: 3121-UP

Shantou Express¹³⁴

18/1

Won in a small field at Stratford in June. Backed it up when third of 5 at Worcester (23f, good) 12 later but had an off day back at Stratford in August. Freshened up since (has had wind surgery).

Form: P0-9136

White Rhino²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 123

3/1

Much improved since handicapping, winning 4 times and runner-up twice from 6 starts. Ran a cracker when second in a big field over 21f here last month and there should be even more to come now stepping up to 3m. Leading claims.

Form: 1112-12

Gyenyame²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 122

7/2

Fair 2m Flat winner for Andrew Balding and struck at the third time of asking over hurdles in 2½m Wincanton maiden in March. Good runner-up efforts both starts this term, latterly behind a progressive type over 21f here. Much respected now stepping up to 3m.

Form: U314-22

Big Bresil²⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: J M Quinlan| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 120

22/1

Novice winner at Exeter for Tom George in 2020 but hasn't stood much racing since. Showed he retains his ability back from 2 years off when third at Ayr in February but pulled up at Ffos Las 6 weeks later and absent again since.

Form: 152U/3P-

Fontana Ellissi³⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 118

28/1

Runner-up twice here last autumn, latterly over this trip, but he hasn't been seen since. Returns in a warm race and a watching brief has to be the percentage call.

Form: 244/522-

Tiger Jet²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: H Cobden| T: B Ellison| OR: 117| D

7/1

Career best when winning 15-runner 3m Haydock handicap in April. Struggled on his next 2 outings but took a step back in the right direction when third (Gyenyame a neck ahead in second) over 21f here 4 weeks ago.

Form: 61-68P3

Paricolor^b,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 115

16/1

Back on a good mark and shaped well when third (White Rhino 5 lengths up in second) of 20 over 21f here 4 weeks ago, staying on again after getting outpaced. The return to 3m will suit him.

Form: 3256P-3

Forecasts

White Rhino (3/1), Bold Endeavour (16/5), Gyenyame (7/2), Tiger Jet (7/1), Captain Morgs (12/1), Paricolor (16/1), Hermino AA (18/1), Shantou Express (18/1), Big Bresil (22/1), Fontana Ellissi (28/1)

There should be more to come from WHITE RHINO now stepping up to 3m for the first time and he's taken to confirm last month's course superiority over Paricolor and take his handicap record to an impressive 5-7. Gyenyame, another with a good recent effort here, looks best of the remainder.