14:35 Cheltenham

Monday 1 January 2018

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

BetBright Casino Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 6m 24.8s

Whataknight^t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr M Legg⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 142| D

16/1

Some time since he has got his head in front over hurdles and has been hit and miss this season. Couldn't follow up a good second at Newbury two starts back when seventh last time and has questions to answer at present.

Form: 6-03727

Lovenormoney^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: W Greatrex| OR: 137| D

5/1

Has won twice over similar trips on heavy ground, one of those coming last month at Chepstow when making all. 10lb hike for that looks a bit harsh but still improving and may be capable of better yet.

Form: 4313-61

Arthur's Gift¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Humphries⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 136| CD

7/2

Has been in fine form this season and arrives here in a four-timer bid after staying on in fine fashion to win over C&D last time. Same useful conditional takes off 7lb again here and likely to carry on improving.

Form: 8/42111

Skipthecuddles²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 132

7/1

Impressive winner at Wetherby in February and not disgraced in the Neptune at the Festival but has struggled from his revised mark since. Must improve on recent fifth of 13 at Southwell to play any part here.

Form: 2180-P5

Boyhood³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 130

11/2

Didn't need to improve to win on return to action at Lingfield and produced a respectable fourth of 11 at Newbury, despite the fact he was no match for the winner. Yet to encounter ground this soft but place claims if he handles it.

Form: 2214-14

Red Rising²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

11/4

A shade disappointing on return to action at Chepstow when a beaten favourite but proved no match for his rivals at Southwell last time. Needs more here but less exposed than many of his rivals.

Form: 81/1-31

Buckle Street^p,t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Stock⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 127

10/1

Back to form when winning at Catterick last month but has more to find off a 7lb higher mark in a better class of race. Conditional jockey's 7lb claim will help but others preferred.

Form: 5-23651

Supreme Steel^b²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 123

25/1

Has been progressing well over the past 12 months and should come on for his reappearance at Chepstow last month when fifth of nine. May want better ground to be seen at his best.

Form: 13-2125

Forecasts

Red Rising (11/4), Arthur's Gift (7/2), Lovenormoney (5/1), Boyhood (11/2), Skipthecuddles (7/1), Buckle Street (10/1), Whataknight (16/1), Supreme Steel (25/1)

Nigel Twiston-Davies won this contest last year and ARTHUR'S GIFT gives him solid claims of landing another renewal after an impressive win over course and distance last time and the handicapper has only put him up 6lb for that effort. Lovenormoney will relish conditions and is still improving while Red Rising arrives with a less exposed profile than many of his rivals and should be capable of better.