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14:10 Cheltenham

Friday 17 March 2023

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

McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 6.12s

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Selected odds by:

Sharjah^t²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| BF

10/1

Smashing 10-y-o who has twice finished runner-up in Champion Hurdle and whilst he may not be quite the force of old, he's acquitted himself with plenty of credit all 3 starts in Graded events this campaign. Very interesting connections pitch him in here on just his second start in handicaps.

Form: 2/11-232

Pied Piper^t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 154| CD

12/1

Smart sort (third in last season's Triumph) who won a C&D conditions' event and a Down Royal Grade 2 in the autumn. Bounced back from a poor run at Leopardstown over Christmas when 6½ lengths fourth to State Man in Irish Champion last month and he's respected given his good record here.

Form: 3D-1154

Winter Fog⁸⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Kieran Callaghan⁽⁷⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

25/1

9-y-o who boasts some very solid form in big-field handicaps (fourth in last year's Pertemps) and had little trouble dropping back to 2m as he made a winning debut for Willie Mullins at Leopardstown over Christmas. Mark has risen considerably but he's very low-mileage for his age.

Form: 4/240-51

Saint Sam^h¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: J B Foley⁽³⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| BF| D

33/1

Useful novice hurdler during 2020/21 season who didn't always convince with his jumping over fences. Back on track over hurdles this term, albeit unable to justify cramped odds having raced freely in small field event at Leopardstown (18.3f) 12 days ago. Return to big-field scenario may well help.

Form: 3U-6152

First Street^t1²⁷

18/1

Mighty efforts in Betfair and this race last term and resumed with a win in the Gerry Feilden at Newbury (2m) in November. Matched that level when keeping-on third in Grade 2 Relkeel here (2½m) on New Year's Day and whilst below that level in Kingwell last time, this rates more suitable. Had wind op

Form: 325-133

Ballyadam^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148| D

12/1

Runner-up in 2021 Supreme on debut for this yard and following mixed bag last winter returned to form when fifth from 4 lb lower mark in this race 12 months ago. Confirmed himself in good heart back from an absence when third in Leopardstown handicap last month and he rates an each-way player.

Form: 2505-03

Aucunrisque³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 147

16/1

Upwardly-mobile as a novice (Grade 2 winner) and, following bright start over fences, took his form up another notch when landing Betfair Hurdle by a length from Filey Bay, well ridden under conditions that tested speed to the full. 9 lb higher here but boasts smashing attitude and not dismissed.

Form: 41-1221

Hunters Yarn³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

11/2

Three-time bumper winner who opened his account at third attempt over hurdles at Naas (15.9f) in January and improved further to land listed novice at Navan (2m) 5 weeks ago. Excellent yard has won 2 of last 3 renewals of this race and this low-mileage sort is shortlisted making handicap debut.

Form: 411-311

Prairie Dancer^b¹⁰³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 144| D

100/1

Improved over hurdles last summer, third in Galway Hurdle prior to scoring unchallenged at Listowel (2m) in September. Struggled up in grade thereafter, well-beaten fifth behind Marine Nationale in Royal Bond over Christmas. This more suitable and yard no stranger to success at this meeting.

Form: 173135

Glory And Fortune^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 144| C

50/1

Much improved hurdler last season, bagging Betfair Hurdle from 1 lb lower mark prior to a creditable fourth in Champion Hurdle. Doesn't arrive here in same groove though, not convincing with his jumping over fences late on last year and well held in first-named race 5 weeks ago.

Form: 44-4U30

Highway One O Two³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁷⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 143

80/1

Like many from this yard, returned in excellent form in the autumn, adding to his tally from an 8 lb lower mark at Ascot (15.9f) in October. Overfaced in Christmas Hurdle next start and he could finish only midfield in Betfair Hurdle on his most recent outing. Likely vulnerable to a few again here.

Form: 2P-2137

Anna Bunina^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Harvey⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 143| D

28/1

Classy mare who tasted success twice over hurdles last year and added to her tally on Flat at Killarney (14f) in August. Shade underwhelming around Christmas but back on track in recent weeks, respectable second in Grade 3 Quevega Mares' Hurdle (20.4f) last time. Mark looks about right, however.

Form: 196042

Milkwood^h1³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 141

50/1

Ran a stormer when third in this race 2 years ago prior to landing Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr a month later. Somewhat typically been lightly raced since, shaping encouragingly on back of 3 months off when fourth at Wetherby (19.7f) 4 weeks ago. Return to this shorter trip a plus. Hood fitted.

Form: 45-F244

Filey Bay^t1³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: M P Walsh| T: E Mullins| OR: 141| BF| D

6/1

Another very good advert for his shrewd yard, bagging handicaps at Doncaster/Wincanton prior to big career-best effort when runner-up to Aucunrisque in last month's Betfair Hurdle, comfortably faring best of those held up. Long way clear of remainder then and 8 lb higher mark looks well within reach

Form: 633-112

Pinkerton^t⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: S W Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 141| BF| D

28/1

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner during 2021/22 campaign. Progressed again in handicaps this season, beaten only by another unexposed sort at Fairyhouse (2m) in December. Small-field scenario likely didn't play to his strengths at Limerick (20f) next time and this rates more suitable.

Form: 133-323

Path D'oroux⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: K M Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 141

12/1

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner who struggled to make an impact in pair of Grade 1s in December. Returned to form back in calmer waters to land Navan novice (15.7f, soft) in January (3 main market rivals fell) but it remains relatively early days with him now attentions switch to handicaps.

Form: 1-11P41

Petit Tonnerre²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: Jonjo & A O'Neill| OR: 140| D

33/1

Made winning handicap debut for this yard 13 months ago and even better form in defeat this campaign, not seen to best effect in Lanzarote on penultimate start and quickly back to best when fifth at Ascot (19.2f) 4 weeks ago. Remains relatively unexposed at around 2m and eased 1 lb ahead of this.

Form: 1P-32P5

Highland Charge³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: N Meade| OR: 139

125/1

Confirmed himself a useful performer over hurdles when taking Naas Grade 3 this time last year. Fairly low-key start over fences initially this term but this more suitable than latest assignment in Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle in February. Handicap debut.

Form: 211-3P8

Ganapathi^p1,t⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: P Neville| OR: 136

150/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who landed pair of small-field novice chases for Willie Mullins last summer. Has seemingly found his level in that sphere though and others make more appeal on balance ahead of this return to timber. Cheekpieces added to usual tongue tie.

Form: 133254

Pembroke⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| BF

9/2

Bumper winner who left hurdles debut form in his wake when landing back-to-back novice contests late last year. Progressed further when second in Grade 2 over 2½m here in January and another worth a look from this sort of mark for yard that has landed this race twice since 2018.

Form: F1-7112

Gin Coco¹²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 135| BF| D

13/2

Lightly-raced 7-y-o who made light of lengthy absence to land Fontwell maiden for this yard 12 months ago prior to good second on handicap bow at Punchestown (2m). Absent since finishing fine second in Greatwood Hurdle here in November (clear of remainder). That unlikely to prove his limit.

Form: 22/1-212

Faivoir³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| C| D

33/1

Talented hurdler/chaser who finished midfield in this race 12 months ago before good fifth in Aintree handicap final start. Returned with creditable fourth at Kempton (2m) over Christmas but not in anything like the same form when pulled up in last month's Betfair Hurdle. Others make more appeal.

Form: 3305-4P

Wonderwall^p1¹¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: R Spencer| OR: 134

25/1

Useful bumper performer and reached a similar level in 3 starts over hurdles, in process of running well when falling last in listed race at Huntingdon last February. Promise sole start over fences at Newbury in November and whilst absent since he remains unexposed. Cheekpieces on for handicap bow.

Form: 37/21F-3

Luttrell Lad¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: H Cobden| T: T Lacey| OR: 133| D

150/1

Useful bumper winner and of a similar standard over hurdles last season. Did disappoint on Flat for previous yard last summer but best not judged too harshly on recent return/yard debut at Kelso, (rider lost irons early). Still, this looks a big ask.

Form: 1222-0P

Non-Runners

Magnor Glory¹⁷⁵

Weight: 10-9| Age: 7

T: T O'Brien J: M J M O'Sullivan

Glan¹⁷⁵

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: G Elliott J: L P Dempsey

Forecasts

Pembroke (9/2), Hunters Yarn (11/2), Filey Bay (6/1), Gin Coco (13/2), Sharjah (10/1), Pied Piper (12/1), Ballyadam (12/1), Path D'oroux (12/1), Aucunrisque (16/1), Magnor Glory (16/1), First Street (18/1), Wonderwall (25/1), Winter Fog (25/1), Anna Bunina (28/1), Pinkerton (28/1), Faivoir (33/1), Petit Tonnerre (33/1), Saint Sam (33/1), Glory And Fortune (50/1), Milkwood (50/1), Glan (50/1), Highway One O Two (80/1), Prairie Dancer (100/1), Highland Charge (125/1), Luttrell Lad (150/1), Ganapathi (150/1)

Willie Mullins has compiled a fine record in this race in recent years, and as one of a 4-pronged attack, the highly-admirable SHARJAH could provide the Closutton handler with further success. Twice a runner-up in the Champion Hurdle, he's run well all 3 starts in Graded company so far this term and this sort of mark may well be within reach. Low-mileage stablemate Hunters Yarn is a major threat however along with Betfair Hurdle second Filey Bay. Pembroke and Pied Piper complete the shortlist.