Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening 8th March Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 6m 17.6s

Milrow^p,t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 122

12/1

Yet to win for this yard since joining in August 2017 but ran best race to date latest when a 4L second to Darling Maltaix at Ascot before Christmas. Tailed off since in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton over 2m5f, this represents a drop in grade.

Form: 2-F0620

Le Musee¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 122| C

3/1

Shown a fair level of ability since switched to Nigel Hawke (from Andre Fabre) and won maiden hurdle here over shorter last season. A threat on his Newbury second to Champ in December, though can race lazily and was well-held two runs since.

Form: 10-9250

Carrigmoorna Matt^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 118

7/2

Showed that he had ability when landing a big field novice when trained in Ireland but didn't really spark after that. Good second at Chepstow (2m3½f, good to soft) last month suggest trainer is getting to bottom of him now. Stays this far.

Form: 568-542

Rosemary Russet^t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 115| BF

9/4

Beaten a neck over C&D in November, she remains a hurdling maiden after eight attempts. Not as good last month at Haydock under positive ride when favourite, but may bounce back at this track.

Form: 2-27624

Lady Markby¹³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 115

25/1

Market Rasen winner in February 2017 over 2m2½f on soft going off mark of 109. Was absent more than a year afterwards but shaped well (second) at Uttoxeter in May. Questionable attitude since though and safer to bypass.

Form: 1/392R9

Demon Fou⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 110| C

9/2

40/1 winner of 2m3f maiden hurdle here on good to firm ground in November, good second since at Fakenham when lumping weight to the winner. Should be in the firing line when it matters.

Form: 9912

Passam^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss C Dyson| OR: 107

12/1

Lightly-raced maiden over hurdles and nothing in the formbook to date strongly hints that he'll be getting off the mark today.

Form: 5393-U7

Forecasts

Rosemary Russet (9/4), Le Musee (3/1), Carrigmoorna Matt (7/2), Demon Fou (9/2), Passam (12/1), Milrow (12/1), Lady Markby (25/1)

MILLROW produced his best effort for this yard at Ascot just before Christmas and was pitched in deep since at Kempton in the Lanzarote. That can be overlooked and, on his previous run, he looks capable of getting his head in front. Demon Fou has shown improved form in his last two starts and is on the shortlist while Rosemary Russet should have more to say back at this venue. Carrigmoorna Matt's recent Chepstow second hinted that his new handler is close to finding a race for him.