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16:50 Cheltenham

Friday 16 March 2018

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 5m 22.1s

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Selected odds by:

Blow By Blow^b,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D Meyler| T: G Elliott| OR: 144| D

12/1

Not a lot of miles on the clock (five starts over hurdles for this trainer) and eye-catching winner of a Grade 3 novice in Ireland last time. Raised 12lb on strength of that, can make presence felt.

Form: 1-32161

Sire Du Berlais^t1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D J McInerney| T: G Elliott| OR: 144

8/1

Fine effort over this trip at Fairyhouse last month when second on first start for 301 days. Unexposed performer, raised 9lb and sports first-time tongue-tie today.

Form: 3130-2

Flaxen Flare^b⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: C Gethings| T: G Elliott| OR: 143| C| D

33/1

Fred Winter winner in 2013, also ran well in the County in 2014. Has been chasing this season so far, on a fair mark if able to bring best form to the table. n the right hands with last year's winning trainer.

Form: U-2320P

Dream Berry^t³²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: Jonjo & A O'Neill| OR: 143

20/1

Progressive in 2017, though just one win in five attempts, repeatedly gone well in big-field handicaps including narrow defeat over this trip at Punchestown in April. 4lb higher on first start since, respected yard.

Form: P61322-

Early Doors⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 142

12/1

Two wins from there earlier in the season, finished second to Supreme third Mengli Khan in Grade 1 Royal Bond. Disappointing last month (Samcro in opposition), could be a big player now going handicapping.

Form: 13-1129

No Hassle Hoff²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Fergus Gregory⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

25/1

Form this season all over longer trips, including October win at Uttoxeter, likely high enough in the ratings regardless for what he has achieved so far and facing tough task seemingly.

Form: 24-1493

Brelan D'As^h,t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140| D

25/1

Easy winner of a Wincanton handicap over this trip when last spotted over hurdles in November 2016 (rated 130). Form over fences this term doesn't inspire, though excellent jockey booking if bouncing back in this sphere.

Form: 1P/1-335

Tommy Rapper^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

16/1

Couple of wins in novice company over this sort of trip earlier in the season and winning handicap debut last month at Haydock (2m7f, heavy) from 5lb lower mark. Not discounted dropping back in distance.

Form: 8-72111

Brillare Momento^p1³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Stock⁽³⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 139| CD

20/1

Fair handicapper, won a 2m3f soft-ground Towcester handicap last month on first start after a wind operation. Gone up 4lb for that and gets first-time cheekpieces added.

Form: 1-21841

Coeur de Lion³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Kevin Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: A King| OR: 139

20/1

Doesn't always find as much as seems likely, run well enough in two starts this term without threatening to win. Handicapper has cut him some slack but still left requiring a career best.

Form: 2217-50

Carter Mckay⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Bargary| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138

14/1

Smart bumper horse last season, placed in Grade 1 novice last month at Leopardstown. Trainer has landed three of these in seven years. Interesting on handicap bow.

Form: 106-133

Delire D'Estruval³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R Patrick| T: B Pauling| OR: 138

12/1

All the way winner of Towcester novice contest last month over shorter trip. Unlikely to get his own way amongst rough and tumble here on handicap debut but on a fair mark based on that run.

Form: 32-4131

Mr Big Shot³⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Michael Heard| T: D Pipe| OR: 138

14/1

Won all three starts so far, two over hurdles, with minimum of fuss. Hasn't been sighted since April, opening mark is workable and trainer would clearly love to land this race.

Form: 1/11-

Arthington⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 137

25/1

Form in novice hurdles (two wins) is fair, though plenty more likely to be asked of him now on handicap debut and the trip is an unknown factor.

Form: 112212

Flawless Escape⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonathan Moore| T: G Elliott| OR: 137| D

6/1

His third behind Total Recall last time at Leopardstown is decent form, trainer won this race last year and despite being 9lb higher now, he should be holding decent claims.

Form: 2-1213

Diese Des Bieffes⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| BF

7/1

Some smart novice form since joining Seven Barrows team, finished a credible third in Listed Kempton handicap over 2m5f on soft last month. Raised only 2lb for that effort and has the scope for doing better.

Form: 5-1125

Lough Derg Spirit³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Ned Curtis| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137

16/1

Possibly not the easiest horse to train, best form to date has been over 2m. Ran a cracker in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November but poor in the Betfair at Newbury last time. On a fair mark if he turns up in the mood.

Form: 141P-26

Burrows Saint^t⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137| D

25/1

Beat Flawless Escape to win a maiden over this trip in November at Punchestown, well beaten only start since. Eye-catching jockey booking in these famous silks and big run possible.

Form: 2742-12

Melrose Boy⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Kieron Edgar| T: H Fry| OR: 137| C

16/1

In good form lately, winning easily (odds-on) at Fontwell in January before fine effort over near three-mile trip at Sandown since. Just 2lb higher and this shorter trip should in his favour.

Form: 23-1313

Deal D'estruval⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁵⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 136

10/1

Unexposed sort, ran strong race in big-field Leopardstown handicap last time, raised 9lb on that run, pilot takes bulk of that off again and has to be worth serious consideration.

Form: 432-12

Poppy Kay³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 136| D

33/1

Sandown winner in Listed Mares' company in January but outclassed in Betfair Hurdle last month. Step up in trip suits here but needs a firm career-best to land this pot.

Form: 12-1310

Discorama¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D Robinson| T: P Nolan| OR: 136

20/1

Not disgraced in Grade 2 novice contest last time at Naas, that run came in close proximity to today, could be capable of a step forward from a fair handicap mark.

Form: 2-1237

Brave Eagle⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 136

14/1

Just the four starts over hurdles, winning a Newbury handicap in late December over this trip on heavy going from a 5lb lower mark. One of three for Seven Barrows team enjoying excellent Festival.

Form: 33/11-21

Non-Runners

Amour de Nuit⁴¹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: Stan Sheppard

Forecasts

Flawless Escape (6/1), Diese Des Bieffes (7/1), Sire Du Berlais (8/1), Deal D'estruval (10/1), Blow By Blow (12/1), Early Doors (12/1), Delire D'Estruval (12/1), Mr Big Shot (14/1), Carter Mckay (14/1), Brave Eagle (14/1), Lough Derg Spirit (16/1), Tommy Rapper (16/1), Melrose Boy (16/1), Discorama (20/1), Dream Berry (20/1), Brillare Momento (20/1), Coeur de Lion (20/1), Amour de Nuit (20/1), No Hassle Hoff (25/1), Brelan D'As (25/1), Arthington (25/1), Burrows Saint (25/1), Flaxen Flare (33/1), Poppy Kay (33/1)

David Pipe would dearly love to snare this prize and his unbeaten MR BIG SHOT might just send him close. He wasn't seriously tested in landing either start over timber last spring and has been handed a chance here from this opening handicap mark. Flawless Escape caught everyone's eye with his run behind Total Recall last time out, he's likely to go well for the Elliott team, but the handicapper hasn't missed him. Handicap debutants Early Doors and Carter McKay are worth paying attention to while Tommy Rapper, Melrose Boy and Burrows Saint all have their merits too.