16:50 Cheltenham

Friday 16 March 2018

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

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 2  |   2m 4f 56y  |   Soft (Heavy in places)  |   23 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 16:51  |   Winning time: 5m 22.1s
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1
Horse silk
Blow By Blowb,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.
2
Horse silk
Sire Du Berlaist120
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.
3
Horse silk
Flaxen Flareb50
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.
4
Horse silk
Dream Berryt321
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.(3)| T: J & 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.
5
Horse silk
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.
6
Horse silk
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.
7
Horse silk
Brelan D'Ash,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.
8
Horse silk
Tommy Rappert27
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.
9
Horse silk
Brillare Momentop136
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.
10
Horse silk
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.
11
Horse silk
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.
12
Horse silk
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.
13
Horse silk
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.
14
Horse silk
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.
15
Horse silk
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.
16
Horse silk
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.
17
Horse silk
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.
18
Horse silk
Burrows Saintt54
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.
20
Horse silk
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.
21
Horse silk
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.
22
Horse silk
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.
23
Horse silk
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.
24
Horse silk
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.

Non-Runners

19
Horse silk
Amour de Nuit41
Weight: 11-3|  Age: 6
T: P F Nicholls  J: Stan Sheppard
NR

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)

Verdict

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.
  1. Mr Big Shot
  2. Burrows Saint
  3. Early Doors

Previous Winners

2024
Weight: 11-7  |Age: 6
5/1
2023
Weight: 11-5  |Age: 5
6/1
2022
Weight: 11-3  |Age: 6
12/1
2021
Weight: 11-9  |Age: 5
8/1
2020
Weight: 11-9  |Age: 7
25/1
2019
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 6
5/1
2017
Weight: 11-3  |Age: 6
12/1

Prize Money

1st: £43,792.002nd: £12,936.003rd: £6,468.004th: £3,234.005th: £1,617.006th: £812.00

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