17:30 Cheltenham

Wednesday 18 April 2018

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

Cheltenham Pony Racing Authority Graduates' Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals And Amateurs)

Off time: 17:32 | Winning time: 4m 1.30s

Capitaine^h¹³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| D

10/3

Has recently returned to form over fences and now reverts to hurdling following a fall in the Henry VII at Sandown last time. This is his first run in a handicap and this mark should be a fair one.

Form: 4P1-11F

Forth Bridge⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Reed⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 137

16/1

Listed winner last season and though he hasn't been able to win since his run at Musselburgh last time was a definite step in the right direction and he can go well again.

Form: 15-43P2

Amour de Nuit^h⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryony Le Clerc⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137| D

5/1

Usually runs his race and rarely out of the first three, and he can't be ruled out off this mark on ground he should enjoy.

Form: 121533

Poppy Kay³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cheesman⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135

20/1

Has lost her way on her last couple of starts including when pulled-up in the Martin Pipe last time out. Needs a revival and best form would give her something of a chance.

Form: 2-1310P

Comanche Chieftain^h⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 131

18/1

Recent hurdles form has been fairly solid, though the fact the only two courses he's won at are Stratford and Ffos Las suggested he may prefer a flatter track than this.

Form: 121325

Going Gold¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 127

9/1

Finally off the mark over hurdles at Carlisle last time over further than this. Drop in trip asks a small question of him on handicap debut, but he's unexposed.

Form: 8-24431

Bertimont^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| D

16/1

On a long losing streak, and though he went through a good spell last season when going close, his efforts so far this campaign have been less pleasing. Has had a wind op since last run.

Form: 2200-97

Viserion^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124| D

12/1

Needs a career-best to win this but has improved this season and should be well-suited by this trip. One to consider, perhaps each-way though.

Form: 861462

Magic Dancer^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 124| C

11/2

Last two efforts haven't been at his best, but the fact they came in Graded company and then in a jumpers' bumper mean his previous handicap form may be the best guide here, which was more solid. 11lb higher now though.

Form: 721178

Mister Fizz^p³²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss I Pickard| OR: 123

50/1

Both wins over hurdles were over further than this, and in any case his form so far this season leaves him a long way short of the quality required for this.

Form: 0/00-037

Oxford Blu^p³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 128

12/1

Run in the Fred Winter last time was his first truly poor effort for this stable, though this is tougher than the handicaps he has previous run well in.

Form: 1432P

Symphony Of Angels²⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 122

33/1

Usually runs his race, though was still well-beaten back in third at Market Rasen last time out. This drop back in trip has to be a positive.

Form: 43-2113

Saxo Jack^t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr Robert Hawker⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 120| D

33/1

Form this season hasn't been the most consistent (both over hurdles or on the Flat), though this return to a sounder surface is probably going to help him.

Form: 421250

Innocent Touch²²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 119| BF

16/1

Only two previous runs over hurdles came back in November 2015, when he won one of them. Showed some good form on the Flat since, though he has appeared to regress over the past year or so.

Form: 14/

North Hill³⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 117| BF

25/1

Disappointed when 6/5 favourite at Market Rasen last time, and is now up another 6lb due to previous performances, so tough to build a case for.

Form: 60F1-15

Non-Runners

Hazamar¹⁸

Weight: 10-0| Age: 5

T: Mrs S Leech J: Page Fuller

Forecasts

Capitaine (10/3), Amour de Nuit (5/1), Magic Dancer (11/2), Going Gold (9/1), Oxford Blu (12/1), Viserion (12/1), Forth Bridge (16/1), Bertimont (16/1), Innocent Touch (16/1), Comanche Chieftain (18/1), Poppy Kay (20/1), North Hill (25/1), Symphony Of Angels (33/1), Saxo Jack (33/1), Mister Fizz (50/1), Hazamar (50/1)

Forth Bridge took a step in the right direction last time out and would have an excellent chance on his best form, but the one to side with could be CAPITAINE. Capable of competing at the highest level as a novice hurdler he now returns to this sphere from a novice chase campaign and now making his first appearance in a handicap of any kind could be able to defy this mark. Amour De Nuit should enjoy conditions and is another for the shortlist.