Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 6m 38.5s

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Selected odds by:

Artistic Endeavour³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 112

11/8

Yet to win but has shown plenty of promise, finishing runner-up 3 times at 2m and bouncing back to his best when third at Sandown (19.8f) in January. Shaped as if he should benefit from this longer distance last time and he could be ready to open his account.

Form: 225233

Letthedustsettle¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 112

10/3

Came good over hurdles at the fifth attempt at Catterick (2m) in January and easily defied a penalty at the same C&D 9 days later. Found an improving type too strong in his hat-trick bid at Newcastle 18 days ago, but this winning pointer is respected as he goes up in trip.

Form: 300112

I'm A Starman¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M G Rimell| OR: 103| CD

5/1

Ended long losing run when digging deep for success at this C&D in January. However, he wasn't in the same form when mid-field at Ascot (23.5f) 16 days ago, so he may just be vulnerable to his younger rivals in this contest.

Form: V24417

Hasty Parisian^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 99

3/1

Seventeen runs since his sole victory back in 2022 but hasn't been discredited at this C&D on his last 2 starts, second of 5 in handicap here 3 weeks ago. Has been eased a further 2 lb in the weights since, so he can give his running once more.

Form: 2F5732

Non-Runners

Ballinsker⁸³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: Evan Williams J: Non Runner

Overabottleofred³⁵

Weight: 10-13| Age: 5

T: T R Gretton J: David Noonan

Forecasts

Artistic Endeavour (11/8), Hasty Parisian (3/1), Letthedustsettle (10/3), I'm A Starman (5/1), Overabottleofred (8/1), Ballinsker (14/1)

ARTISTIC ENDEAVOUR soon left behind a lesser effort when staying on well for third at Sandown on his latest outing and, with this longer trip likely to suit, he can get off the mark this time around. Letthedustsettle won his only start in points and could be the main danger upped markedly in distance, while Overabottleofred is one to note now handicapping.