14:05 Cheltenham

Wednesday 17 April 2019

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Citipost Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 4m 53.6s

Dashel Drasher²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 140

15/8

Fast-improving hurdler, did well to overcome a double penalty at Newbury last time, his slick jumping (apart from the last) keeping his rivals at bay. May encounter slightly quicker ground here but no saying how far he can climb the grading ladder.

Form: 334111

Cotswold Way¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 141| D

11/4

Winner of four of his last five and very impressive when destroying the useful Capitaine at Taunton last time out. If that form is taken at face value he's a great chance here, but possible that flatters him slightly. Chances nevertheless.

Form: 2-11181

Dr Sanderson¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135| D

9/2

Getting the hang of it with every run he has, impressive when beating previous winner Rapper at Ludlow last time and looks ready for this step up in grade. Clearly stays well and quicker ground wouldn't be an issue.

Form: 1-1411

Mill Green³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134

9/2

Fourth in a very competitive handicap at Sandown last time out, staying on well after the last and should find the final hill here no issue. Needs another step forward form-wise but with top yard and that can't be ruled out.

Form: 4-31134

Thistle Do Nicely³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 136

11/1

Looked to be in for a good season when winning twice last autumn but despite facing some stiff tasks, it would be hard to say he's progressed much in the meantime. Worth a try at this trip but overall, has a bit to prove now.

Form: 114220

Buzz De Turcoing^t1¹³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Drinkwater

100/1

Won a little point-to-point at Corbeigh House in December and has joined an up-and-coming yard, but looks to be biting plenty off on rules debut today. Best watched.

Form: 1

Cotswold Prince⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Stock| T: M Keighley

50/1

Better effort last time when second at Doncaster (despite racing keenly) but that stil leaves him some way short of what's required here. Gets plenty of weight as a 3yo but even that isn't enough to bring him into it on form.

Form: 692

Non-Runners

Ask Dillon¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Dashel Drasher (15/8), Cotswold Way (11/4), Mill Green (9/2), Dr Sanderson (9/2), Ask Dillon (11/2), Thistle Do Nicely (11/1), Cotswold Prince (50/1), Buzz De Turcoing (100/1)

Cotswold Way is the one to beat on the figures but there's a slight question as to whether he's a bit flattered on his latest form line, and he'll also find the improving Dashel Drasher is likely to keep him company on the front end. The latter just keeps on surprising and he may not have finished improving yet. But whether the likely quicker ground will play to his strengths is a question, and one that tilts me towards DR SANDERSON today. He won't have any issue with the ground and can come with a winning run late in the day.