16:02 Hereford

Saturday 9 March 2024

All13:4214:1714:5215:2716:0216:3517:1217:20

Betting.Bet Cheltenham Festival Free Bets Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 5m 5.0s

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Selected odds by:

Celtic Fortune^p⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 94

6/1

Placed 3 times on the bounce in handicaps at around 2½m prior to a low-key display at Huntingdon last time. Possibilities if able to bounce back.

Form: 99-3336

Hermes Le Gris^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 92| BF| D

9/4

Has hit the ground running for his new yard, easily bagging 14-runner handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (19.6f, heavy) last month. Came up short under a penalty at Fakenham 8 days later, though, and will need to raise his game now that his new mark has kicked in.

Form: P-35F12

Pescatorius²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: James Best| T: H Dickin| OR: 91

28/1

No show in bumpers/novice hurdles so far and sizeable step forward needed now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 0-7475

Another Lord³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 86

16/1

Failed to improve for the switch to a handicap when sixth of 11 at Ffos Las (15.8f, heavy) last time and looks vulnerable once more.

Form: 3/3-7406

Rocky Hill^p1⁴²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 85

3/1

Sprung a 33/1 surprise on his Kelso bumper debut for Ewan Whillans in April 2022 but no show in 3 starts over hurdles for new yard last season. Cheekpieces enlisted now upped in trip for this handicap bow following a 14-month absence.

Form: 1/600-

Hi Riko^p,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Lee Edwards| T: R Hobson| OR: 85

10/1

Upped his game when finding just one too good in handicaps at Uttoxeter and at Lingfield (both at around 2½m) in November. Back on track following a couple of poor efforts when fourth returned to Lingfield with cheekpieces added last month and he's in with a shout.

Form: 4-22PP4

Parsons Stone²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Houlihan| T: R Stephens| OR: 83

33/1

Modest at best in bumpers and well held all 3 starts over hurdles to date. Makes limited appeal on this handicap debut.

Form: 4/776-P0

Silver Atom³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽³⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 79

8/1

Remains a maiden in this sphere but has some decent bits and pieces of form to his name, not least when fourth of 12 over this C&D on penultimate start. Probably best to overlook subsequent Leicester display and he's one of the more likely winners.

Form: 6P-8345

Happy Sanchez³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Hammond| T: M Young| OR: 78

125/1

Unplaced sole start in points and poor form in 5 outings over hurdles.

Form: 77079-7

Spiritus Mundi^p¹⁰⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 74

80/1

This maiden has been out of sorts for a while and is easy enough to oppose.

Form: 74FF9-9

All Under Control^p²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 72

14/1

No show first 3 starts over hurdles and while she fared a little better on her handicap debut at Fontwell (19.2f, heavy) last month, there wasn't enough in that effort to suggest that she'll be up to winning this.

Form: 8-7704

Damask^p²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 72

8/1

Record stands at 0-10 over hurdles but she's an each-way player judged on recent efforts at Ffos Las and this course.

Form: 546643

Gala Des Lys^h³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: K Brogan| T: A Wintle| OR: 71

150/1

Little to shout about in various race-types so far and he looks set for another struggle.

Form: P/0P6U-8

Non-Runners

Gentleman⁴⁵

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: C Boultbee-Brooks J: R Patrick

Forecasts

Hermes Le Gris (9/4), Rocky Hill (3/1), Celtic Fortune (6/1), Damask (8/1), Silver Atom (8/1), Hi Riko (10/1), All Under Control (14/1), Gentleman (14/1), Another Lord (16/1), Pescatorius (28/1), Parsons Stone (33/1), Spiritus Mundi (80/1), Happy Sanchez (125/1), Gala Des Lys (150/1)

The suggestion is SILVER ATOM, who posted one of his better efforts when fourth over this C&D in January and a line can be drawn through his latest run at Leicester. Hi Riko took a step back in the right direction at Lingfield and he is second choice, while Celtic Fortune and handicap-debutant Gentleman are others to consider.