13:20 Cheltenham

Friday 15 December 2017

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Catesby Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:23 | Winning time: 4m 15.40s

Qualando^p³³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: T Scudamore| T: A E Jones| OR: 141| CD

33/1

Has not won since landing a Grade 3 contest at the Festival in 2015 and while it's a positive to see him returned to hurdles, he may struggle off this mark. Finishing effort not always the strongest and drop back to 2m probably not ideal.

Form: 4522-2P

Remiluc^t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 137

8/1

Has been running well this season and finished a good second of 12 to Old Guard at Newbury last time out. Drop back in trip no concern but up another 2lb for that latest effort and there's likely to be better handicapped sorts in here.

Form: 08-4U32

Raven's Tower²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Alex Ferguson⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 132

8/1

Running well since returning to hurdles this year and had Remiluc back in third at Fontwell when winning last time. 3lb worse off with that rival this time and a 5lb rise for his latest success perhaps a shade steep. Needs a career best.

Form: 37P-221

Okotoks²³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130

5/1

Has endured an interuptted career of late (only seen twice since 2015) and tailed off at the Punchestown Festival when last seen. Starts out for a new yard now but handicapper has taken no chances for his reappearance and probably best watched here.

Form: 1814/40-

Smaoineamh Alainn^h⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 129

7/1

Impressive on yard/hurdles debut at Chepstow last season and returned in similar form when winning at Wincanton last time. Likely to come on for that run and less exposed than many in here so good chance she'll be thereabouts if handling the track.

Form: 56421-1

Cornborough⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 127| BF| D

16/1

Last win came with a career best on the Flat in the summer and has run well returned to hurdles this campaign, finishing second of eight at Wetherby last time. Will need to find a few pounds of improvement to figure here though and others preferred.

Form: 324-452

Champagne City²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: N D Fehily| T: T R George| OR: 125

9/2

Completed a novice hurdle hat-trick when winning at Stratford in July and put a disappointing Chepstow effort behind him when finishing third of 19 here last time. Only up 2lb for that and capable of more improvement.

Form: 411173

Attest²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 123

9/1

Recorded a hat-trick earlier in the year and has been running well in defeat since. Doesn't look particularly well-handicapped judged on his latest effort but dropped 2lb and gets the services of the Champion Jockey for the first time today.

Form: 71-1126

Sea Wall^h¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 120| BF

11/2

Won off this mark at the start of last year and due to go up 3lb for a narrow defeat when last seen at Lingfield. That form probably not the strongest on offer but he's well suited to soft ground and clearly in good from; place possibilities.

Form: 5111-22

Master Of Finance^p³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 117

8/1

Looks very well-handicapped on his form on the Flat but hasn't managed to translate that over hurdles and his strike-rate is relatively poor in this sphere (one win from 12 starts). Starts out for a new yard now and probably best watched.

Form: 9-42483

Forecasts

Champagne City (9/2), Okotoks (5/1), Sea Wall (11/2), Smaoineamh Alainn (7/1), Remiluc (8/1), Master Of Finance (8/1), Raven's Tower (8/1), Attest (9/1), Cornborough (16/1), Qualando (33/1)

CHAMPAGNE CITY finished an excellent third over course and distance last time out and he looks capable of more improvement on just his third start in handicaps over hurdles. Smaoineamh Alainn is less exposed than many of her rivals and the sole mare in the line up may be able to come on for her most recent win when returning at Wincanton. Attest gets some relief from the handicapper and the booking of Richard Johnson catches the eye.