14:40 Cheltenham

Thursday 18 April 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Catesby Estates Mares' Challenger Series Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 2.32s

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Selected odds by:

Georgi Girl⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125

22/1

Won back to back 2m handicaps at Sandown and Kempton to start 2024 but found the Imperial Cup too competitive back at Sandown last month. This not much easier now stepping up in trip.

Form: 342110

Endless Escape^p,t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 119| D

20/1

Enjoyed a productive campaign over hurdles last term, winning 4 times. Bit below that level over fences at the start of this season but has recorded 2 decent runner-up efforts back hurdling this spring.

Form: 7-54222

On My Command^t⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 117

18/1

Successful 3 times over hurdles for Harry Fry in 2021/22 season but very lightly raced and below that level in 2 outings for different stables since.

Form: 1013/5-4

Notnowlinda⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 114

10/1

Runner-up twice over fences in the autumn and came good back hurdling under Heidi Palin at Hereford (2m, soft) last month. Only nudged up 1 lb for that and can't be discounted given yard's excellent record in competitive handicap hurdles.

Form: 34-2281

Golden Glance^p,t⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 113

16/1

Maiden winner at Haydock last spring and runner-up in handicaps at Aintree and Newcastle this winter. Respectable fourth of 6 to Gilbertina at Market Rasen in this headgear combination on her latest start in February.

Form: 17-7224

Lavida Adiva⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 112| BF

11/1

Winning pointer who landed 2m Catterick novice in December. Creditable third on both starts since, latterly on Market Rasen handicap debut over 20.5f. Less exposed than some.

Form: 132133

Royale Dance^p1,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁵⁾| T: Noel Williams| OR: 112| D

33/1

Fair winner at 2m for Dan Skelton last term and quick to make her mark for current yard with success in 5-runner handicap hurdle at Leicester (20.5f, heavy) in January. Her 2 efforts since have been disappointing, though. Bounce back needed with first-time cheekpieces added to her tongue tie.

Form: 20-515P

Lone Star^t⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 110| D

12/1

Had a productive time in 2022/23, scoring 5 times. Not quite in same form this campaign but latest fourth at Musselburgh was a bit better and she's back on her last successful mark. No shock were she to bounce back with a bang.

Form: 6-66384

Realisation^t¹¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 110| D

10/1

Bumper winner who left first 2 hurdles starts behind when a smooth winner on handicap debut at Southwell (20.5f) in December. Possibly found the race coming too soon when well-held fourth under a penalty at Aintree on Boxing Day. Given time since. This unexposed mare is an interesting contender.

Form: 2/1-4314

Pretending²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 109| D

5/2

Opened her account as a hurdler at Sandown (2½m) in December and has remained in good form, finishing second of 8 over 19f at Newbury on her latest outing 26 days ago. Raised 4 lb for that but could still have a say.

Form: F14322

Cottie²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 108

11/2

Scored at Downpatrick last June for Henry de Bromhead. Hasn't fired in 3 runs for Dan Skelton but her mark has eased 10 lb and it's possible this has been the plan all along. Harry Skelton up for the first time.

Form: 159654

Gilbertina⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 108

22/1

Second Market Rasen handicap success of her career when just clinging on over 20.5f in February. Ought to remain competitive up 3 lb.

Form: 3P-7421

Shelikesthelights^t¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 108WS

10/1

Won hurdles at Doncaster and Southwell (handicap) last spring. Better effort this season when third of 6 over 16.5f at Market Rasen in January. Fresh for this stage of the season and of some interest now stepping up to a trip she's bred to stay (dam 21f winner). Has had wind surgery.

Form: 2118-73

Mary¹⁰⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 107

28/1

Showed when third in first 2 hurdles which makes her 2 subsequent handicap performances disappointing. Needs to stage a revival now stepping up in trip after a 100-day break.

Form: 3-53386

Great Snow^p1,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 107

12/1

Placed off higher marks for Neil Mulholland last term but well below par in 3 comeback outings for new yard this winter. Well treated if returning to form but hard to be confident about. Has first-time cheekpieces combined with the tongue tie she's worn the last twice.

Form: 32-26P7

Just Go For It^t²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Hunt| OR: 105

40/1

At the veteran stage now but she was better than ever when landing 14-runner handicap at Taunton (19f, soft) last month. Matched that when third of 9 off 10 lb higher at Wincanton since.

Form: P35413

Non-Runners

Fautinette²²

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: Miss V Williams J: Charlie Deutsch

Forecasts

Pretending (5/2), Cottie (11/2), Notnowlinda (10/1), Realisation (10/1), Shelikesthelights (10/1), Lavida Adiva (11/1), Great Snow (12/1), Lone Star (12/1), Golden Glance (16/1), On My Command (18/1), Endless Escape (20/1), Fautinette (20/1), Georgi Girl (22/1), Gilbertina (22/1), Mary (28/1), Royale Dance (33/1), Just Go For It (40/1)

COTTIE has dropped to a dangerous mark judged on the pick of her Irish form and is worth chancing to stage a revival for a stable which very much targets these valuable handicap hurdles. Realisation and Shelikesthelights are unexposed opponents who could have more to offer, while Lone Star is back to the mark she defied when winning a nice prize at Musselburgh last spring.