15:00 Cheltenham

Sunday 19 November 2017

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:00

Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:03 | Winning time: 4m 4.70s

The New One²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 163| C| D

7/1

The class act in the field but has to concede a huge 12lb to just the second weight because of his lofty rating, and should find it tough on that basis.

Form: 21534-1

Ivanovich Gorbatov^t²⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 151| BF| C| D

20/1

Hasn't really come on from Triumph Hurdle victory at the Festival two seasons ago. Better when third in the County Hurdle latest but more needed here after an absence.

Form: 334336-

Tigris River^t¹⁰⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 150| D

14/1

Hat-trick seeker (on a four-timer including Flat form) who won the Galway Hurdle last time out and is 10lb higher for this. Not discounted on ground that should suit.

Form: 4/45-711

Old Guard²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| CD

8/1

Won this race two seasons ago, not quite at that level last year but made an impressive reappearance at Kempton last time and holds minor claims off the same mark.

Form: 7747-71

Chesterfield²¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁷⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 148| CD

25/1

Hat-trick seeker having won the Scottish Champion Hurdle last time after winning a valuable affair at Aintree. Up another 5lb but definitely improving and could go close again.

Form: F/80211-

Elgin¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 145| D

10/1

Good form in novice hurdles last season including when not beaten far at Kempton in February in a Grade 2. A winner at Listed level at Ascot last time, and not discounted though he may be better on a flatter track.

Form: 1227-41

Project Bluebook⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: B S Hughes| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 143| D

40/1

Fourth over C&D in the Fred Winter in March and has maintained that level of form since, including when winning at Fairyhouse in April. Returns after a short break but could have a say.

Form: 11341-6

London Prize^p⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 134| D

9/2

Won the Elite Hurdle last time out (beat Flying Tiger on that occasion) and so carries a 6lb penalty here. Quick turnaround but in great form and could well go close.

Form: 2F17-81

Jenkins²¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: David Bass| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| D

5/1

Good form in bumpers and considered a prospect for the Supreme Novices Hurdle last season but missed the Festival. Trainer has expressed concerns about his handicap mark which has to be a concern for all that he could improve further.

Form: 1/2141-

Mohaayed^t¹⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| D

9/1

Not beaten far in either the Scottish Champion Hurdle (behind Chesterfield) and the County Hurdle last season. Sauntered to victory at Market Rasen latest (was 1/33F), and should have a race of this nature in him soon.

Form: 24173-1

Nietzsche^h⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: James Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 136| D

12/1

Consistent sort who wasn't beaten far on his last start over hurdles (behind Flying Tiger in the Fred Winter), and though he has been beaten on the Flat twice since will at least be fit now back over obstacles.

Form: 213113-

Misterton³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: T Scudamore| T: H Fry| OR: 136| D

10/1

Unexposed type who has good form in novice/handicaps so far. It's a slight concern that he was pulled up on his only previous visit to this course, however.

Form: 11P21-1

William H Bonney¹⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: A King| OR: 133| C| D

12/1

Won a handicap hurdle here in January but has put three tame efforts in since, all in Grade 3 handicaps, and needs a career-best now.

Form: 0/8107-6

Non-Runners

Flying Tiger⁸

Weight: 10-4| Age: 4

T: Nick Williams J: B J Cooper

Amour de Nuit²⁸

Weight: 10-1| Age: 5

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Top Othe Ra¹⁵

Weight: 10-0| Age: 9

T: T Mullins J: Non Runner

Forecasts

London Prize (9/2), Jenkins (5/1), The New One (7/1), Old Guard (8/1), Mohaayed (9/1), Elgin (10/1), Misterton (10/1), William H Bonney (12/1), Nietzsche (12/1), Tigris River (14/1), Flying Tiger (14/1), Amour de Nuit (14/1), Ivanovich Gorbatov (20/1), Top Othe Ra (20/1), Chesterfield (25/1), Project Bluebook (40/1)

Jenkins has been the big talking horse going into this but Nicky Henderson's comments about his rating are enough to subdue enthusiasm, while The New One is the obvious class act in the field but is surely too high in the weights as well. MOHAAYED on the other hand managed two excellent efforts in top handicap hurdles earlier this year, including here in the County Hurdle, and looks practically waiting to win a race of this nature, with further improvement possible given his profile and the ground like to suit. Amour De Nuit is highly progressive and is feared most, ahead of recent Elite Hurdle winner London Prize.