Cheltenham 1.15 - Handicap Hurdle - Class 3 - 2 miles 1 furlong - 15 run - Good to Soft (New Course)

 

Willmount for Henderson is the sold favourite here form figures of 1-1-1-1 before pulled up in sole run last season about a year ago. It should be noted that the Yard was under a cloud at that time, I would not put anyone off a win bet, but I won't be taking one on this one today. Valgrand is a nice type back in trip on handicap debut and Wreckless ERic was a very impressive winner on the Old Course in a Novice Handicap Hurdle at the last meeting here and gets an 8lbs penalty, but clearly a very promising and progressive danger.

 

My top 2 rated though although more exposed have more experience and both look worth an each way poke.

 

TINTINTIN grabbed an enhanced place for us in The Greatwood at the last meeting, beaten 7 lengths by Burdett Road. These are calmer waters and a repeat of that run would take it very close here unless one of the top 3 are exceptional. I am not sure that they are and with 15 runner and enhanced Odds TINTINTIN will be out to win this and also to frank The Greatwood form.

 

At very big odds BALBOA is one with a decent solid Course record overall and looks overpriced at 50/1, the sort to push on up the hill and maybe nick an enhanced place. He was preferred at the high price end of the market to Magic Seven and Anyharmasking.

 

(The Advisor)

 

---

 

Cheltenham 3.35 Handicap Hurdle - Class 2 - 3 miles - 10 run

 

The one to beat is Doyen Quest up 10lbs but 6/4 does not look skinny on his potential but NOT backable in my opinion at those odds. Gowel Road has finished runner up twice on The Old Course at the last 2 meetings, a very solid yardstick and deserves a win, I do think he's better on the Old Course though than this more sweeping New Course. Long Draw is uber consistent form figures of 1-2-2-2-2 - up in trip and that's a sensible move and worth a try. Bhaloo is back hurdling, upped in trip and it may well be that the Henderson team really like this one and are trying various options to assess the best race for it at the Festival in March. Wonderful Eagle would be a danger if staying and if running here and not at Bangor, then the Pipe horse Anyharmasking would be another to consider in a tricky race.

 

I'm very keen though on the chances of AN TAILLEUR and the early 33/1 looks silly. A poor sequence over fences sees him brought back to Hurdles. If you look though at his Spring form in big Hurdle races you will understand that having run big races off marks of 139 in the Spring, he is very competitively handicapped here off 132, race fit too and if he slips back into hurdling routine he is VERY well handicapped.

 

If you wanted a second runner then ZAIN NIGHTS is another who looks overpriced, a golden spell of form in the spring with 3 wins and mark up from 114 to 125 including a Course and Distance win off 122, 130 is a tougher mark but he'll be winning again at some point this season (Robin)

 

------

 

Doncaster 2,32 - Mares Handicap Hurdle - Class 4 - 3 miles 1/2 furlong - 10 run - Good to Soft

 

Saunton Surf and Faerie Cutlass head the market and will probably win and place here but there are a pair i simply cannot ignore.

 

PHILLIPA SUE and MINNIEMUM were 1-2 in this last year, I like to follow Mares returning to races they have run well in before and i also like to follow Doncaster Course and Distance form as this long straight does not suit horses more adept on turning tracks.

 

I'll confidently nail my flag to the mast in defence and support of this pair although I marginally prefer MINNIEMUM to be the victor this time (Northern)

 

-----

 

Cork 2.12 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 19 run - Yielding - 

 

A competitive race and one where I am prepared to take on the likes of One And Only who was all out here at the weekend to win and a penalty and the sharp turnaround may not help, Nevereverever who is solid and consistent but not great e/w value as a result despite being my 4th rated, Knocknagaoran Lady who is upped in trip and Donegal Danny a steady improver but only my 5th rated overall. 

 

Plenty of others have chances and the likes of Crowdsateappletart, who looks a bit high in the weights, Lilian Bland, Likeable Chancer a likeable type who usually runs a solid race, The Mass Path who could pick up a small race somewhere, A Nod To Getaway who is a very dangerous first reserve to note, were all serious considered, it's that sort of race.

 

My confident top 3 though with Nevereverever as my reserve are-:

 

GARCON DEUX who if you ignore his last effort over fences , runs off a very nice hurdle mark including a very good Course and Distance runner up effort off a mark of 86 here on penultimate start. A course winner at a different trip, he clearly likes Cork!

 

MR McWHINNEY had an impressive run on penultimate start, the drop in trip will suit, especially if they can get the fractions right and the better ground that he encountered on his last run will also be a bonus. I think 20-25/1 is cracking each way value.

 

BALLYCOMMON CHAPEL has had plausible excuses in running in rough and tumble races the last twice, I think that masks a nice mark and this one will be a danger if getting the new trip with Danny mullins an interesting jockey booking. (MG)

 

------