16:30 Taunton

Monday 11 March 2019

All14:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0517:40

William Hill Cheltenham Festival 1m Golden Race Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 4m 55.90s

Sparkleandshine^h¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Burke| T: H Whittington| OR: 122

11/2

Posted a solid effort on debut for his new yard and could well have more to offer; raised 2lb but still has plenty of scope. Worth considering if the market vibes are positive.

Form: F41-403

Smarty Wild⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120

10/11

Making good strides and has won two of his three starts over hurdles in fine style. His mark has been left unchanged after his win in a conditional riders race last time out but still likely there's more to come. Player.

Form: 66311

Caro Des Flos¹⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: M D Grant| T: J S Smith| OR: 120| D

100/1

Failed to impress in either of his previous starts for his current yard and is hard to recommend from 4lb above his winning mark when trained by Willie Mullins in Ireland.

Form: 225-10P

Red Hanrahan¹¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: James Best| T: Emma Owen| OR: 119

100/1

Form has dipped since leaving Paul Nicholls and undergoing wind surgery. Debuts for another new yard this time and is probably best watched.

Form: 52-PF27

Belize^t1⁷⁷⁷

33/1

Has ability but difficult to know what to expect as the gelding returns from an absence since January 2017; likes soft ground but has never won from a mark this high.

Form: 011534/

Putting Green^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 116

25/1

Still a maiden over hurdles and has enjoyed mixed form since being sent over timber. Others more appealing on this occasion.

Form: 724/82P

Here's Herbie^t¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 115| CD

5/1

Paid his way with a handful of career wins - including over C&D last December - and likes the predicted going. Needs to better the form of his last two starts but has won under today's rider before now. Place claims.

Form: 6U8143

Pointed And Sharp^h⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 115

12/1

Yet to win in handicap company and form has been regressive of late. Looks the stable's lesser hope behind Smarty Wild on this occasion.

Form: 32-548F

Eur Gone West^h,t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 114

14/1

Lightly raced over hurdles and form has been mixed since he underwent wind surgery last July. Can make the running if needs be and posted his best effort when attempting to dominate; dangerous to underestimate.

Form: 68-4247

Valse Au Taillons⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: J Farrelly| OR: 112

20/1

Won over an extended 1m2f on the Flat in France but has shown some ability over hurdles since arriving in these shores. Needs to up her game after being well held in both her last two starts though.

Form: P4/33

Waiheke^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: L Heard| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 108| D

16/1

Yet to win outside of novice company and struggled to land a blow when returning from a break last time out. Should strip fitter but her yard has stronger claims with Smarty Wild though.

Form: 424-670

Silver Quay²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J D Frost| OR: 106| CD

8/1

Already a dual C&D winner since the turn of the year and has to be respected on the pick of his efforts. However, he's now on a career highest mark after reassessment and a personal best, by quite some way, is now needed.

Form: 543118

Forecasts

Smarty Wild (10/11), Here's Herbie (5/1), Sparkleandshine (11/2), Silver Quay (8/1), Pointed And Sharp (12/1), Eur Gone West (14/1), Waiheke (16/1), Valse Au Taillons (20/1), Putting Green (25/1), Belize (33/1), Caro Des Flos (100/1), Red Hanrahan (100/1)

Phillip Hobbs plays a strong hand here and can help send Richard Johnson off to the Cheltenham Festival with a winner if SMARTY WILD continues to flourish. The gelding has won his last two starts in a pleasing manner and can only benefit from the professional handling of the reigning champion jockey. Sparkleandshine can also play a strong role despite shouldering top weight, while Here's Herbie and Eur Gone West are also high in the pecking order when the best of their form is taken into consideration.