14:10 Cheltenham

Friday 17 March 2023

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

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

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 1  |   2m 179y  |   Soft (Good to Soft in places)  |   24 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 14:10  |   Winning time: 4m 6.12s
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1
Horse silk
Sharjaht27
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.
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Timeform
2
Horse silk
Pied Pipert40
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.
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Timeform
3
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
4
Horse silk
Saint Samh12
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.
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Timeform
5
Horse silk
First Streett127
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-11| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR:  152| BFWS
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
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Timeform
6
Horse silk
Ballyadamt40
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.
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Timeform
7
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
8
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
9
Horse silk
Prairie Dancerb103
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.
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Timeform
10
Horse silk
Glory And Fortunet34
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.
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Timeform
11
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
12
Horse silk
Anna Buninat23
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.
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Timeform
13
Horse silk
Milkwoodh130
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.
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Timeform
14
Horse silk
Filey Bayt134
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
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Timeform
15
Horse silk
Pinkertont81
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.
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Timeform
16
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
17
Horse silk
Petit Tonnerre27
Age: 5|  Weight: 10-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & 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.
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Timeform
18
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
19
Horse silk
Ganapathip1,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.
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Timeform
21
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
22
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
23
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
25
Horse silk
Wonderwallp1112
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.
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Timeform
26
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform

Non-Runners

20
Horse silk
Magnor Glory175
Weight: 10-9|  Age: 7
T: T O'Brien  J: M J M O'Sullivan
NR
24
Horse silk
Glan175
Weight: 10-7|  Age: 8
T: G Elliott  J: L P Dempsey
NR

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)

Verdict

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.

Previous Winners

2024
Weight: 10-10  |Age: 6
12/1
2022
Weight: 11-1  |Age: 5
11/4
2021
Weight: 10-0  |Age: 6
33/1
2020
Weight: 10-13  |Age: 5
11/2
2019
Weight: 11-5  |Age: 8
12/1
2018
Weight: 10-11  |Age: 6
20/1
2017
Weight: 11-12  |Age: 8
20/1

Prize Money

1st: £56,270.002nd: £21,200.003rd: £10,610.004th: £5,300.005th: £2,660.006th: £1,330.007th: £660.008th: £340.00

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