15:45 Cheltenham

Saturday 28 October 2017

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 2  |   2m 7f 208y  |   Good (Good to Soft in places)  |   17 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 15:46  |   Winning time: 6m 2.6s
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1
Horse silk
The Tourard Man111
Age: 11|  Weight: 11-12| J: Kevin Dowling(10)| T: A King| OR:  149| D
25/1
Veteran who very much knows how to win races. Notched a four timer in the summer of 2016, and was successful for this rider at Market Rasen in July (2m7f+ good), and now just 4lb higher still has realistic claims.
2
Horse silk
Whataknightt15
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-6| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR:  143| D
13/2
Has never really built or capitalised on his win at Haydock in May 2016 (2m7f good), and was quirky at the start on his reappearance at Newton Abbot recently when 6¾L third to Beer Goggles (3m2f+ good).
3
Horse silk
Dell' Arcab,t147
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-3| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR:  140| C| D
25/1
2013 Greatwood Hurdle winner who was in excellent shape during the spring, winning at Ascot in early April, and beaten just 1¾L by Jack's Last Hope at Aintree in May (2m4f good).
4
Horse silk
Thomas Campbell182
Age: 5|  Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR:  138| BF| C
5/2
Progressed quickly after winning a 2m maiden hurdle at the Showcase Meeting in 2016, and was beaten just over 4L when fifth of 23 in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at the Festival in March (2m4f+ good). By Yeats, so should stay.
5
Horse silk
Tempestateflorescot17
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR:  137| D
9/1
Has mixed hurdling with chasing over the spring/summer with pleasing results, and with a 3m2f Listed Uttoxeter Summer Cup success (fences) being the highlight. Dotted up in a Ludlow novices hurdle (4/9f) latest, and should go well.
6
Horse silk
Connetable15
Age: 5|  Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  135
16/1
Switched back to hurdles last season after experimenting with chasing, and possibly a fortunate winner on chasing debut at Wincanton in December (2m4f+). Posted a low key return at Newton Abbot recently (eighth); five places behind Whataknight.
7
Horse silk
Its'afreebee28
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-11| J: Ian Popham| T: D Skelton| OR:  134
25/1
His form over fences has gradually ebbed away after a reasonably promising start, and he switches back to hurdles for just the second time since finishing 8¾L third to Yorkhill and Yanworth in the 2016 Neptune (2m5f good).
8
Horse silk
Holly Bush Henryb34
Age: 6|  Weight: 10-11| J: Fergus Gregory(7)| T: P W Middleton| OR:  134
12/1
Useful performer with decent ground underfoot, and arrives seeking a hat-trick still on a fair mark based upon the best of his older form. Up 12lb since Worcester (mid September), but this claimer removes 7lb of that rise. Form with Luccombe Down.
10
Horse silk
Solatentifb,t15
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-10| J: B J Cooper| T: C L Tizzard| OR:  133
20/1
Hasn't won since his days with Henry De Bromhead (a 2m Gowran maiden hurdle in June 2015), but has bits and pieces of placed form, including at this track (2m5f) for this trainer. Blinkered and tongue tied.
11
Horse silk
Bucking The Trendt391
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-9| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR:  132| D
33/1
More experience over fences than over hurdles, but was a winner over the smaller obstacles at Uttoxeter in October 2016 (2m7½f good). Off for over 12 months since and now 7lb higher, he needs a career best effort in a competitive heat.
12
Horse silk
Rolling Maulb14
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-7| J: James Bowen(7)| T: P & M Bowen| OR:  130| BF| CD
16/1
Won a couple on the Flat during August (Ffos Las and Newmarket) and finished mid-field in the Cesarewitch (2m2f good) just a fortnight ago. Back over hurdles for the first time in a while. Beaten ½L by Two Swallows over C&D in April.
14
Horse silk
Anterosp,t24
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-5| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR:  128| C
16/1
Placed, but comfortably beaten on his last two starts over fences. Rated much higher over hurdles, largely due to his 7L Listed success here in November 2016 (3m1f+ soft). Saves all of his better efforts for Cheltenham.
15
Horse silk
Quarenta23
Age: 5|  Weight: 10-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Jonjo & A O'Neill| OR:  125
10/1
Improved since early May, rising 10lb in the weights, and 6lb higher for his recent success at Warwick (2m5f good) when beating Sutter's Mill by 2L.
16
Horse silk
Luccombe Down40
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-2| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR:  125
16/1
Hasn't won since August 2016 (2m6f Stratford), and is seemingly in the grip of the handicapper at present. Up another 2lb for finishing 2¾L second to Holly Bush Henry at Worcester last month (2m7f good).
17
Horse silk
Nachi Fallst52
Age: 4|  Weight: 10-2| J: C Gethings(3)| T: N J Hawke| OR:  126
33/1
Has raced over fences since returning from a mildly productive spell on the Flat (mainly AW). Beaten 4L by Ozzy Thomas in a 3m Southwell novices chase latest, and this looks a tough test for his return to the smaller obstacles.
18
Horse silk
Milrowt14
Age: 4|  Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Houlihan(7)| T: Mrs S Leech| OR:  124
40/1
Has plenty of hurdles experience, and kept busy over the summer months; a Stratford (2m½f) winner in August. Stamina a major concern, and no obvious promise when 12th in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow a fortnight ago.
19
Horse silk
Stick To The Plant25
Age: 5|  Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR:  121| BF
8/1
Lacks experience, but is unexposed at the foot of the handicap. A winner at Perth in April (2m4f good), and would have followed up but for rider error at Southwell earlier this month. Returns off the same mark as latest.

Non-Runners

9
Horse silk
Solstice Star20
Weight: 10-11|  Age: 7
T: M Keighley  J: R Johnson
NR
13
Horse silk
Johanos220
Weight: 10-6|  Age: 6
T: N J Hawke  J: James Best
NR

Forecasts

Thomas Campbell (5/2), Whataknight (13/2), Stick To The Plan (8/1), Tempestatefloresco (9/1), Quarenta (10/1), Johanos (10/1), Holly Bush Henry (12/1), Luccombe Down (16/1), Rolling Maul (16/1), Connetable (16/1), Anteros (16/1), Solstice Star (16/1), Solatentif (20/1), Dell' Arca (25/1), The Tourard Man (25/1), Its'afreebee (25/1), Bucking The Trend (33/1), Nachi Falls (33/1), Milrow (40/1)

Verdict

A race which the bookmakers will adore, but the punters will fear, representing a devilishly difficult puzzle. Stick To The Plan made all of the headlines at Southwell earlier in the month, and he lurks dangerously at the foot of the handicap with the much more accomplished Harry Skelton taking over in the saddle. Thomas Campbell is open to progression, and being by Yeats, he should stay this trip, but needs to prove his stamina definitively. Rolling Maul has been in good order on the Flat, and has strong claims based upon C&D form from April, whilst Its'afreebee is interesting in handicap company (hurdles) on the best of his novice form. The Tourard Man is capable of being on the premises despite top-weight, but the pair to concentrate upon are Holly Bush Henry and TEMPESTATEFLORESCO. The former remains on a feasible mark based upon his older form, and arrives seeking a hat-trick after September victories at Worcester and Plumpton, but the selection just gets the nod due to his overall versatility and consistent form throughout the summer months.
  1. Tempestatefloresco
  2. Holly Bush Henry
  3. Rolling Maul

Previous Winners

2016
Golden Doyen
Weight: 10-12  |Age: 5
11/1

Prize Money

1st: £15,640.002nd: £4,620.003rd: £2,310.004th: £1,155.005th: £578.006th: £290.00

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