15:45 Cheltenham

Saturday 28 October 2017

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

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 6m 2.60s

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.

Form: 5481-61

Whataknight^t¹⁵

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).

Form: 1026-03

Dell' Arca^b,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).

Form: 3701-24

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.

Form: 115547-

Tempestatefloresco^t¹⁷

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.

Form: 1112P1

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.

Form: 18706-8

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).

Form: 133P7-P

Holly Bush Henry^b³⁴

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.

Form: 966511

Solatentif^b,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.

Form: 55-2324

Bucking The Trend^t³⁹¹

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.

Form: 4141/21-

Rolling Maul^b¹⁴

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.

Form: 3652-45

Anteros^p,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.

Form: 5P58-32

Quarenta²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & 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.

Form: 4P-2321

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).

Form: 4-45372

Nachi Falls^t⁵²

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.

Form: 60-3142

Milrow^t¹⁴

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.

Form: 391430

Stick To The Plan^t²⁵

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.

Form: 5641-U

Non-Runners

Solstice Star²⁰

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: M Keighley J: R Johnson

Johanos²²⁰

Weight: 10-6| Age: 6

T: N J Hawke J: James Best

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)

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.