Cheltenham Festival On Racing TV Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 6m 34.95s

Same Circus^p⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 122| CD

11/4

Not been seen over hurdles since she fell over them at Sedgefield in November last year; three chasing runs including a Bangor win since then. C&D winner over hurdles the 3m6f trip looked too far last time; runs here off her lower chase mark.

Form: 4-5F415

Will O'The West^h¹⁰⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: Laura Morgan| OR: 121WS

25/1

At his best he was a useful hurdler but he's never won a handicap and it's been over three years since his last win. Trainer is good with turning around horses like this and a wind op may help; has shown little so far for the yard though.

Form: 223299

Valence D'Aumont¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 118

14/1

Three wins to his name over obstacles in France at up to 2m3f all those victories coming in headgear. Showed very little on his stable/GB debut over 2m (Market Rasen) without any headgear; now steps up to this trip for the first time.

Form: 011300

Iwilldoit⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 113| BF

11/8

Showed some decent bumper form and capitalised on his first run in a handicap when well supported to win at Bangor stepping up to 2m7f. Not in the same form last time (under a penalty); race may have come too soon, chance to bounce back here.

Form: 5-38616

Oregon Gold^p⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Bannister| T: N Kent| OR: 111

6/1

Two positive/front-running rides saw him win back-to-back handicaps at Southwell/Marker Rasen in December; found for pressure both times. Failed to complete a hat-trick when last seen (beaten 68L); back from a break.

Form: 783116

General Allenby⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 107| C

9/2

Five hurdles runs have yet to illicit much promise with his last two efforts resulting in being pulled up; those two run split by a wind op. Now with a new yard the blinkers worn last time are left off; jumping badly needs to improve.

Form: 3-53PP

Non-Runners

Rainy City⁵⁸

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: D McCain Jnr J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Iwilldoit (11/8), Same Circus (11/4), Rainy City (3/1), General Allenby (9/2), Oregon Gold (6/1), Valence D'Aumont (14/1), Will O'The West (25/1)

The form that Same Circus has shown around here over both sets of obstacles shows that she enjoys this course and she’s likely to be hard to keep out of the frame once more. Rainy City is another from the McCain yard that has a decent chance although he looks one who would prefer something finished in front of him most of the time. IWILLDOIT won well on his handicap debut and connections were rather forced into running him under a penalty just a few days later. That quick turnaround proved too much but given a break he can still be competitive despite a 10lb higher mark. Oregon Gold is another who needs to bounce back to his previous form and would be dangerous if allowed a soft lead.