Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 4m 13.9s

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Selected odds by:

Since Day One³⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 128| BF| C| D

7/2

Did well switched to fences last season, for all that he was turned over when odds on for a match at Wetherby when last seen 12 months ago. 4-4 over hurdles at this course and resumes on a workable mark, so he'll be a danger to all if ready to roll.

Form: 4/12132-

Jason The Militant^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 127

9/2

One-time very smart hurdler for Henry De Bromhead and while he has made little impact for current yard, there were positives to take from his latest effort at Haydock (shaped better than the distance beaten). Down another 5 lb and he needs a second look.

Form: 97P-095

Baron De Midleton^b²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 126| BF| C| D

9/1

Useful sort who won 3 handicap chases last season and returned to form when taking advantage of lower hurdles mark at Market Rasen in January. Came up short in a claiming hurdle at Leicester next time, though, and will probably find one or two too good here, too.

Form: 1P-PP14

Matchless^p⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 122| C

5/1

Improved when winning 9-runner handicap at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft) in November and just touched off at Doncaster next time. Didn't look entirely straightforward when below par on his latest start but definite chance if he puts his best foot forward here.

Form: 13-2126

I Have A Voice^t³⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D R Fox| T: N J Hawke| OR: 119

12/1

Fairly useful Flat winner in Ireland and has reached a similar level over hurdles, resuming winning ways with a fluent round of jumping in 4-runner event at Sandown last January. However, absent since unseating rider in a juvenile event at Haydock the following month.

Form: 43191U-

Horn Cape²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 114| CD

7/4

In good form in recent months, scoring at Sedgefield in November and over this C&D on penultimate start. Didn't do a great deal wrong when runner-up back at Sedgefield (16.8f, heavy) last time and likely to give another good account.

Form: 241312

Iwa^h1,t1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 104

40/1

Fair hurdler/chaser in France but sent off at 100/1 when pulled up in Catterick handicap hurdle on return from long absence for new stable in January. Now tried in a hood.

Form: P/5261-P

Forecasts

Horn Cape (7/4), Since Day One (7/2), Jason The Militant (9/2), Matchless (5/1), Baron De Midleton (9/1), I Have A Voice (12/1), Iwa (40/1)

A chance is taken on the fitness of SINCE DAY ONE, who clearly goes well here (4-4 over hurdles and 5-6 overall at this course) and he resumes on a good mark (8 lb lower than that off which he landed a handicap chase here last January). Jason The Militant's recent form figures do not inspire confidence but he's lurking on a dangerous mark and is next on the list ahead of the in-form Horn Cape and Matchless.