15:40 Cheltenham

Friday 15 December 2017

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

Citipost Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 6m 6.60s

Shantou Bob^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 145| D

12/1

Impressive winner at Chepstow on Welsh National day and not disgraced on Trial's Day here in January. Disappointing on his return to action at Carlisle last time and while he may come on for that, he needs to prove he can be effective off this mark.

Form: 6P/215-8

Champers On Ice^b²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 142| C| D

9/2

Produced a smart effort to place in the Albert Bartlett in 2016 but didn't get to the same level over fences last term. Shaped like he needed the run on return to action and still has scope from this mark over timber.

Form: 3/126P-5

The Dutchman^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137

7/2

Consistent sort who made a promising start for this yard when returned to hurdles at Haydock last time. Entitled to come on for that run and versatile ground wise so should be thereabouts.

Form: 2F227-2

Sykes²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 135| D

33/1

Followed up a good fourth on seasonal return with a win at Ffos Las in heavy ground last time out. This is a tougher race though and a hefty rise in the weights may halt him for now.

Form: 6F45-41

Rocky's Treasure²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 134| D

7/1

Produced back-to-back wins in staying hurdle contests at the back end of last season and produced a good third of nine at the Open Meeting in Listed company. Handicapper has slightly surprisingly left him on the same mark and he looks a player.

Form: 13411-3

Taj Badalandabad^p⁵⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 133| D

33/1

Looked a smart prospect back in 2016 but over 18 months off the track is a major concern here and he's entitled to need this run. Not without a chance if he's been primed for this but others look more likely winners.

Form: 47141/9-

Fly Camp²⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133| D

12/1

Looked a highly progressive sort before he was clearly amiss last time when pulling up. Absence since is a concern but he's entitled to resume progress now and he ought to stay this far; interesting runner.

Form: 1/2121P-

Anteros^p,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 132| C

16/1

Good second of nine behind a smart rival here last time but 4lb rise is a little off putting, particularly to be considered for win purposes. Not ruled out if he gets a strong pace to aim at.

Form: 58-32F2

Arthur's Gift²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Tom Humphries⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130

6/1

Has improved this year following a significant absence and the manner in which he won last time suggests he may not be done improving just yet. Gets a promising 7lb claimer in the saddle and can't be ruled out in hat-trick bid.

Form: 58/4211

Jester Jet¹¹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: R T Dunne| T: T Lacey| OR: 123| D

7/1

Improving sort who has won four of her six starts since joining this yard. Plenty to like about the way she won last time out and she's 4lb well in under a penalty. Definate player if she handles this course.

Form: 11-1321

Luccombe Down⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: N D Fehily| T: F O'Brien| OR: 127

10/1

Losing run starting to mount up now but he's gone close on his last couple of starts. May just need a little more relief from the handicapper before he gets his head back in front though, particularly in a race as competitive as this.

Form: 453723

Forecasts

The Dutchman (7/2), Champers On Ice (9/2), Arthur's Gift (6/1), Jester Jet (7/1), Rocky's Treasure (7/1), Luccombe Down (10/1), Shantou Bob (12/1), Fly Camp (12/1), Anteros (16/1), Sykes (33/1), Taj Badalandabad (33/1)

There's a lot to like about JESTER JET's profile and she's a tentative selection in what could hardly be a more competitive contest. Arthur's Gift gets a useful claimer in the saddle and should make a bold hat-trick bid while Champers On Ice is proving to be a better hurdler than chaser and may be capable of more improvement for a shrewd yard.