15:15 Cheltenham

Wednesday 18 April 2018

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Kingston Stud Supporting Greatwood Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 0.10s

Activial^h1⁴³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 147

66/1

Only two starts in the past two years and couldn't show his true running in those races. Tough to be confident of a revival now returning again in a first-time hood.

Form: 9213/U5-

Mister Miyagi³⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 142| CD

14/1

Not seen since last season's Coral Cup, when finishing down the field. Hasn't had much racing in handicaps so far but this weight might not be an easy ask after such a long time off.

Form: 61/3260-

Azzerti³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 136| D

20/1

Beat subsequent Imperial Cup winner Mr Antolini at Huntingdon in February, though much of the rest of his form this year hasn't been good enough for him to challenge here off this weight.

Form: 3-74317

Verni⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 136| BF

12/1

Has put in good efforts over fences the last twice while protecting his handicap rating over hurdles. Should be able to go close off this mark with the Champion Jockey back in the saddle.

Form: 212-522

Brelan D'As^h,t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: B J Geraghty| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136| D

16/1

6lb higher than when winning well at Wincanton in October 2016. Has mixed hurdling and chasing in just four starts since but this ground/trip should suit.

Form: P/1-3350

Brave Eagle³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135

8/1

Couldn't get involved in the Martin Pipe at this course last time out, but previous form under rules was very good (beaten only by Speredek) and could be worth another chance here.

Form: 3/11-210

Diable De Sivola⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 134| BF

9/1

Encouraging to see him stepped back up in trip having been beaten favourite over shorter last time out. Was challenging when falling on his penultimate start off 2lb lower and should run well.

Form: 35-24F3

Qualando^p¹⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: A E Jones| OR: 132| C

22/1

No win since taking the 2015 Fred Winter at this course and difficult to see that situation changing now having been pulled-up here last time.

Form: 22-2P9P

Colin's Brother⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 129| D

33/1

Has won a couple of times over fences this season and ran well in defeat last time out over the larger obstacles. Rated 6lb lower over hurdles and very interesting on ground he acts on.

Form: P3-U112

Red Tornado¹⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 129

33/1

Took the Summer Handicap Hurdle in 2016 but form hasn't been up to that level since. Back down to that winning mark now but certainly wouldn't want any further rain.

Form: 037204

Kk Lexion¹¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 128| D

9/1

Both handicap hurdle wins at a lower level than this, and is 7lb higher than his most recent winning mark; more needed now.

Form: 1P0-383

Oscar Sunset³³²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 127| D

66/1

Has lost the consistency that was a hallmark of his profile earlier in his career, and may be a little long in the tooth by this stage; down the field at Market Rasen latest.

Form: F/93P2-7

Carlos Du Fruitier⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 127| D

33/1

Fairly lightly-raced so far but difficult to get excited about his handicap form so far, as well as back in novice company at Bangor last time out.

Form: 0-21FP4

Destiny's Gold^b²²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 127| D

50/1

Useful summer jumper who makes his first start of the year here. Up 7lb for winning at Worcester when last seen in September, but should at least relish this trip.

Form: 132341

Ballymountain Boy^p,t1¹⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Stock⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 127| D

20/1

Probably didn't quite stay 3m at this course when last seen in October. Off since but drop in trip should suit and previous form gives him a say off this mark and in a first-time tongue strap.

Form: 43-1163

The Welsh Paddies¹²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 124| BF

12/1

Fifth placed finish at Taunton last time looks like a fair piece of form, but he still needs to step up again to get competitive in this contest.

Form: 173-215

Champagne Express⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 123| D

16/1

Only start in the past two years came at Kempton when fourth in a jumpers' bumper last month. Should come on for the run but still tough to build a case for.

Form: 134PP/4

Lisheen Prince⁴⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 123| BF| D

10/1

Lightly-raced type who wasn't disgraced on handicap debut at Kempton last time having shown ability in novice company. On a similar mark here and seems to still be progressing.

Form: 18/214-

Honest Vic¹¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 122

33/1

Has progressed nicely over hurdles so far, despite being defeated at Ludlow last time out. This opening handicap mark probably needs him to improve further though, and this is a tough introduction to this sphere.

Form: 5-1615

Vivas^p,t⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 122| D

16/1

Ran encouragingly enough at Ascot back in February in a competitive handicap hurdle. This is a much bigger field but he looks on a workable mark (down 1lb).

Form: 129353

Stick To The Plan^p1,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| D

7/1

Only win in his career so far came at Perth last April. Took a step in the right direction in terms of handicaps at Kempton last time, but the same mark here could make things tough.

Form: 41-U524

Mahlervous²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽⁷⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 120

20/1

Has run a couple of promising races in defeat since winning on hurdling debut at Southwell in December. A sounder surface here may suit and he could put up a big performance.

Form: 4-912U2

Non-Runners

Graasten³²

Weight: 10-7| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: Joshua Moore

Forecasts

Stick To The Plan (7/1), Brave Eagle (8/1), Kk Lexion (9/1), Diable De Sivola (9/1), Lisheen Prince (10/1), Verni (12/1), The Welsh Paddies (12/1), Mister Miyagi (14/1), Champagne Express (16/1), Vivas (16/1), Brelan D'As (16/1), Azzerti (20/1), Ballymountain Boy (20/1), Mahlervous (20/1), Graasten (20/1), Qualando (22/1), Honest Vic (33/1), Carlos Du Fruitier (33/1), Red Tornado (33/1), Colin's Brother (33/1), Destiny's Gold (50/1), Activial (66/1), Oscar Sunset (66/1)

A competitive affair, where Verni looks set for a big run after a couple of fine efforts over fences, while off bottom weight Mahlervous should appreciate the return to a sounder surface. However, COLIN'S BROTHER has been in fine form so far this season, again over fences, and as a previous winner over hurdles (again when switching back from fences) should be able to go very close on a surface which he'll be well suited to. Vivas and Brave Eagle are others with claims who are worth mentioning.