15:15 Exeter

Tuesday 5 March 2019

All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:15

gg.co.uk Cheltenham Festival Tips 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 6m 19.70s

Danny Whizzbang^t⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

2/1

Bought for €115,000 at Punchestown in April after winning a Ballysteen maiden (3m) for Colin Bowe and made winning start over hurdles at Hereford in November (3m1½f). That form taken some knocks since but nevertheless interesting prospect.

Form: P1-1

Present Value⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: Evan Williams| OR: 128

1/1

Ballymore and Albert Bartlett entry improved on debut second over 2m when impressing at Chepstow over 2m3½f on Welsh National day. Longer trip here should suit well and latest race looked very useful so highly respected.

Form: 21

Truckin Away¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132

7/2

2m4f Ffos Las winner earlier in the campaign wasn't entirely convincing stamina wise latest over 3m½f at Haydock although that at Grade Two level. Third at Chepstow under this penalty gives clue as to what can be expected.

Form: 3-1F39

Bertie Boru⁴⁷³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: C Gethings| T: C J Gray| OR: 117| C| D

66/1

Four-time winner over fences but not seen since 2017 and changes stable since. Not getting any younger and therefore several concerns lead to a watching brief only.

Form: P133/78-

Cool Destination²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien

25/1

Irish point-to-point winner beaten over 30L into sixth of 14 at Ludlow on Rules debut. May strip fitter now and longer trip will help but only of minor appeal.

Form: 6/5416

Italian River⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: R H Buckler

150/1

Sent off at 125/1 when pulled up on hurdling debut last month and up against it in this company.

Form: 79/P

Joyrider³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle

16/1

329 and 454 day breaks between his three races so far and latest well beaten seventh on hurdles bow at Kempton leaves plenty to be desired. Ability shown in bumpers earlier so may now come on for that but can't be confident.

Form: 4/2-7

King Of The Sharks⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Best| T: Miss Z C Davison

100/1

Winner of a couple of point-to-points, this 54,000 purchase was basically tailed off at Lingfield on hurdles debut over this trip in January. Do better with time but very much up against it here.

Form: 311-8

Roccowithlove^p1⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: W Greatrex

100/1

€55,000 purchase by Shirocco who has shown some ability in a bumper at Ascot and over hurdles at Leicester, but no threat on either occasion, and may need more time.

Form: 87

Rupert Valentino^h,t1⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: Miss J Du Plessis

200/1

All four career starts here with three bumpers yielding nothing better than seventh and finished a tiled off 14th of 16 latest in first hurdle try. Easy to dismiss.

Form: 0-770

Yesandno⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

33/1

Just minor ability shown in a point, a bumper and two hurdles. Pulled up latest so plenty to prove here and only real positive is yard he hails from.

Form: U3-0P

Non-Runners

Win My Wings³⁶

Weight: 10-10| Age: 6

T: Christian Williams J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Present Value (1/1), Danny Whizzbang (2/1), Truckin Away (7/2), Joyrider (16/1), Cool Destination (25/1), Win My Wings (25/1), Yesandno (33/1), Bertie Boru (66/1), Roccowithlove (100/1), King Of The Sharks (100/1), Italian River (150/1), Rupert Valentino (200/1)

PRESENT VALUE created quite an impression at Chepstow latest and looks the sort who will only get better now facing a genuine test of stamina hence he gets the vote. Point and Hereford novice winner Danny Whizzbang is the most feared rival for the all-conquering Paul Nicholls team. With the penalised runners very much favoured Truckin Away is next best.