15:15 Cheltenham

Wednesday 17 April 2019

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

Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 4m 51.10s

Unison⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 146

20/1

Often given stiff tasks, as was the case last time (still ran with credit), capable at this level though, as previous Taunton win showed, but this trip probably stretches his stamina to the limit. Others preferred.

Form: 53P214

Jenkins^b²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: David Bass| T: N J Henderson| OR: 145

22/1

Hasn't really happened for him over fences this year and now reverts to hurdles, looks on a fair enough mark if chasing hasn't blunted his speed and has the necessary class for this. Not discounted.

Form: P0-1432

I'm A Game Changer¹⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 143

16/1

Seemed to improve for the step up in trip at Newbury last time, although it looked as far as he wanted to go, in truth. Up 5lb for that win but the worry is the final hill may find him out. Cannot be ruled out in such good form, though.

Form: 9-22261

Le Patriote^p¹⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 142

14/1

Hasn't been seen out since last November when successful inn a valuable handicap at Ayr, and in the past has tended to need a run to put him right. Trip and ground no issue but on balance, others make more appeal.

Form: 741P-81

Fidux⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 142

25/1

Looked very useful when defeating the classy Global Citizen at Ascot last November but hasn't gone on from that (although has faced some stiff tasks) and now has plenty to prove. Trip an unknown too.

Form: 341100

Rather Be^t1⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140| D

8/1

Better known as a chaser and looks well enough handicapped back over hurdles on best efforts. Has form here but hard to know exactly what frame of mind he's in after a couple of middling efforts. Hard to rule out totally, though.

Form: U12-B59

Espoir De Teillee²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 137

10/1

Won a bumper and novice hurdle back in 2017, and then not seen again until recent close third at Exeter, a very solid effort after such an absence. Should do better but yard are not exactly banging the winners in, which is a worry.

Form: F61/1-3

Golden Birthday^t¹³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 134

8/1

Twice a winner last autumn but has gone backwards since then, and last couple of efforts particularly worrying. Yard form, though improving, not where you'd like it to be either, and he needs to bounce back now.

Form: 11P009

Gowiththeflow⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling| OR: 132WS

7/1

Decent midfield finish in the 2018 Ballymore but novice chase campaign this winter nothing to write home about. Reverts to hurdles on a fair mar, and has had a wind operation, which may help, but best watched today.

Form: 2218-23

No Hassle Hoff⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: D Skelton| OR: 132WS

8/1

Looking dangerously well handicapped on the best of his form, not really going anywhere quickly over fences but another that's coming back over the smaller obstacles today. Might ideally want a bit further, though.

Form: 00-42U9

Mac Tottie^h,t¹⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 132| D

28/1

Some good-looking form figures but in truth has been mopping up in lesser novice hurdles than today, and is taking on a much more competitive field here. Probably needs another step forward in his form, and not seen out since October anyway.

Form: 213111

Honest Vic^b1³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 126

11/2

Has plenty of ability but has his share of temperament with it, as he showed when running out (held every chance at the time) at Kempton last time. Blinkers on today may help him concentrate and with conditions ideal, isn't ruled out.

Form: 64252U

Lungarno Palace⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Alain Cawley| T: F O'Brien| OR: 126

10/1

Last couple of efforts very moderate but previous two runs here over slightly further read very well and he's a pound lower here. Probably has little in hand of the handicapper but would be interesting at a price.

Form: 214350

Duarigle³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: P J Brennan| T: P Henderson| OR: 125| D

10/1

Had shown promise in novice hurdles before coming good at Sandown in February, disappointing at Uttoxeter last time but heavy ground there not everyone's cup of tea and he could bounce back today.

Form: 755130

Back On The Lash²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: M Keighley| OR: 122

14/1

Only had the four starts so open to improvement, winner at Ludlow in January and then fourth at Market Rasen last time, staying on well late (3m). May not find this enough of a test and it's asking a bit of one so inexperienced.

Form: 1314

Forecasts

Honest Vic (11/2), Gowiththeflow (7/1), No Hassle Hoff (8/1), Rather Be (8/1), Golden Birthday (8/1), Lungarno Palace (10/1), Duarigle (10/1), Espoir De Teillee (10/1), Le Patriote (14/1), Back On The Lash (14/1), I'm A Game Changer (16/1), Unison (20/1), Jenkins (22/1), Fidux (25/1), Mac Tottie (28/1)

A few of these are on recovery missions after not really cutting the mustard over fences and of those, Jenkins makes a bit of appeal. He still looks capable of a big run off this mark, as we never really got to the bottom of him over hurdles before he went chasing anyway. Honest Vic will be a danger if the headgear helps him concentrate better, and both I'm a Game Changer and Le Patriote come here off the back of victories and must have chances. But a chance is taken on LUNGARNO PALACE now he has his conditions and with the yard having a few winners now, he's worth a try at what should be a decent price.