17:30 Cheltenham

Friday 26 October 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

'Matchbook Betting Podcast' Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 3m 52.90s

Long Call^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Reed| T: A W Carroll| OR: 133| D

100/1

Just a maiden hurdle win to his name in this sphere and probably needs some leniency from the handicapper but arrives fit after some respectable runs on the Flat and can't be ruled out.

Form: 801207/

Mad Jack Mytton⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁶⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130| D

12/1

Shaped like he needed the run at Stratford last time and should come on for that effort. Feasibly handicapped and has run well around here before.

Form: 143-543

Shoal Bay^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Godfrey⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130| D

11/1

Won on hurdles debut, but it's been a mixed bag in five starts since and pulled up here at the Festival three starts back. Fast ground could suit but seasonal return was lacking in promise.

Form: 146P2-6

Mister Universum^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| D

20/1

Seen at his best on quick ground but signs the handicapper has caught up with him on his three most recent starts and a 1lb drop in the weights probably isn't enough to see him get competitive here.

Form: 32-1526

Magic Dancer^p,t¹⁹¹

9/2

Has largely looked progressive since joining this yard and won here over 2m1f last time out. Returns from a break and has had wind surgery so may be capable of even better; solid claims.

Form: 211781-

Silver Star^t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Fergus Gregory| T: G Elliott| OR: 128| D

10/1

Has been in good form since joining this yard and while he was a shade disappointing at Punchestown last time, he may have found that coming too soon just five days after his previous win. May do better.

Form: 321313

Our Merlin²⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard| T: R Walford| OR: 127| D

25/1

Rattled off a hat-trick last summer but signs the handicapper was catching up with him towards the end of that campaign. Will need to improve again to have a say here and entitled to need the run.

Form: 111235-

Lord Condi¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Stock⁽³⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 125

33/1

Arrives bidding for a hat-trick after wins Plumpton and Ludlow. 10lb rise for the latest success in a three-runner contest perhaps a little harsh but entirely unexposed at least.

Form: 9-13311

Malachite¹⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ned Curtis⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 123

9/1

Showed some promise in a trio of bumpers before winning a maiden hurdle on first start over timber. Not as good next time and entitled to need the run on seasonal return here.

Form: 93516-

Majestic Touch^h²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 123| BF| D

14/1

Looked steadily progressive for this yard before last time when far too keen in the early stages and paid the price. Needs to little to settle better but a big field may help and not ruled out.

Form: 062/1-14

Minellaforleisure²⁸⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: A M Hales| OR: 123| C| D

12/1

Course winner here in 2016 but has struggled since and may need the run on return from a significant absence here.

Form: 2046/75-

Storm Rising^b⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 123| BF| D

13/2

Progressive over hurdles this winter, the highlight a Galway Festival success in July. Ran well on the Flat last time and has obvious claims on his debut for a new yard.

Form: 221515

Man Of Plenty^p,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 123| D

9/1

Hasn't won since 2014 but tends to run well in big field handicaps and a return to good ground should be in his favour. Not ruled out.

Form: 54752-6

Noah And The Ark¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Harrison Beswick⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 122| D

14/1

Arrives bidding for a hat-trick after wins in a pair of novice events, most recently a comfortable success at Kelso. Assessor may have let him in lightly on handicap debut here.

Form: 1-65511

Chieftain's Choice^b²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Kieron Edgar| T: K Frost| OR: 116| D

25/1

Got his head back in front at Stratford in August but handicapper may have caught up with him judged on two subsequent runs. Drop back in trip not ideal and others preferred.

Form: 673123

Sunnytahliateigan²⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Edward Austin⁽⁸⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 113| BF

8/1

Hasn't been seen since he was a very disappointing favourite at Huntingdon when last seen. May be capable of progress this campaign but entitled to need the run and market perhaps best guide on return.

Form: 11/4627-

Forecasts

Magic Dancer (9/2), Storm Rising (13/2), Sunnytahliateigan (8/1), Man Of Plenty (9/1), Malachite (9/1), Silver Star (10/1), Shoal Bay (11/1), Mad Jack Mytton (12/1), Minellaforleisure (12/1), Majestic Touch (14/1), Noah And The Ark (14/1), Mister Universum (20/1), Chieftain's Choice (25/1), Our Merlin (25/1), Lord Condi (33/1), Long Call (100/1)

A wide open handicap hurdle but preference is for the progressive MAJESTIC TOUCH in the hope this larger field helps him settle better than he did at Fontwell last time. Man Of Plenty is well suited to these conditions and isn't one to rule out despite a poor losing run while Magic Dancer is an exciting prospect who may be capable of better this season.