17:30 Cheltenham

Friday 25 October 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

'Matchbook Betting Exchange Podcast' Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:31 | Winning time: 4m 8.1s

Peter The Mayo Man⁴⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Edward Austin⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| D

33/1

Looked useful when winning two novice chases for Paul Nicholls; strong in the market on his first run for this yard when falling at the last on his yard debut. Reverts to hurdles off a 6lb lower mark than when last seen in a handicap (chase).

Form: 1F51/PF-

Oakley²⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132| D

5/1

Flourished at the end of last season taking a novice and then winning on his handicap debut having been awarded what looked a stiff enough mark. Not seen for a good while but very much the type to progress this year; still looks unexposed.

Form: 35/5211-

Whoshotthesheriff¹⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 130| D

10/1

Brings his 2-2 record for this yard into this having already reached a decent level over hurdles defying a double penalty at Carlisle in April. Needs to be in good shape off an absence (yard rather quiet); mark looks workable for handicap debut.

Form: 231211-

Capital Force^t⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Patrick Cowley⁽³⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 129| D

33/1

A Ludlow chase winner in May off a 3lb lower mark he's held his form well since then over fences over the summer. Ought to be competitive off this mark reverting to hurdles; still looks relatively unexposed in handicaps over hurdles.

Form: 5-14333

Benny's Bridge¹⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 127| C

5/2

Plenty of style and substance in his win here in January (quickened up well from the rear to win readily). Overcame an unsatisfactory scenario to win once after that back in novice company; still looks unexposed, could well be suited by this test.

Form: F41719-

Havana Hermano²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁵⁾| T: S Edmunds| OR: 127| D

7/1

Quite lightly-raced this year and only seen on three occasions since winning a Fakenham novice hurdle on New Year's Day. Fell heavily up in grade in April before returning to run with credit recently; marks looks stiff enough.

Form: 4613F-3

Storm Rising^b²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 126| CD

9/2

Won this last year off a 3lb lower mark when making his yard debut (not the first horse to improve for a move to this stable); followed up at Wetherby (unpenalised). Didn't really progress from his explosive start; ran poorly last time after wind op.

Form: 9406-20

War Brigade^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: C J Todd⁽⁶⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 124

12/1

Fit from the Flat but it looks as though his quirks are getting the better of him in that sphere and it remains to be seen how he'll cope with a return to hurdles. Not obviously well handicapped; hopes pinned on a new headgear combination.

Form: 2126-

Applesandpierres^b²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 120| D

33/1

Useful at his best over hurdles he's yet to really suggest that he retains any of that old ability, his latest three runs all below-par. Highly tried last time and is given some help by the handicapper but needs others to falter.

Form: 23P-647

The Twisler^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 118| D

20/1

Well held on his recent Wincanton return the venue that saw him successful earlier in the year off a 2lb lower mark. Didn't really show that he was a winner in waiting last time despite looking as though he will have come on for that run.

Form: 82166-6

Falcon Sun^b,t²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: William Marshall⁽⁸⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 118| BF| D

16/1

Gradually got the hang of things over hurdles highlighted when he grabbed back-to-back hurdles wins at Leicester either side of the new year. Failed twice after that (too aggressively ridden when last seen); still unexposed, could resume progress.

Form: 9511F6-

Hallings Comet⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: S Lycett| OR: 116| BF| D

25/1

Front-runner whose usually seen to good effect at Worcester but will find it harder to dominate proceedings around here. Ran way below-par at his home course last time and that hardly gives any credence to his chance here.

Form: 012417

Ballydunblaze¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Fergus Gregory| T: G Elliott| OR: 113| D

25/1

Real mixed bag of form since winning a Limerick novice in July over 2m failing to complete twice but running respectably last time. Beaten four times off a 10lb lower mark but always dangerous to ignore anything from this yard.

Form: 41FP33

Forecasts

Benny's Bridge (5/2), Storm Rising (9/2), Oakley (5/1), Havana Hermano (7/1), Whoshotthesheriff (10/1), War Brigade (12/1), Falcon Sun (16/1), The Twisler (20/1), Hallings Comet (25/1), Ballydunblaze (25/1), Peter The Mayo Man (33/1), Capital Force (33/1), Applesandpierres (33/1)

The winner of this last year Storm Rising returns to defend his crown but in very different circumstances this time having his second start after a wind op and he’ll need more to follow up on last year. Oakley flourished at the end of last season and very much looked the sort to progress in handicaps this year but then so does course winner BENNY’S BRIDGE who looked suited by the scenario he encountered when winning here in January, there’s more to come from him. Falcon Sun is likely to have more to offer and in similar fashion so are Whoshotthesheriff and Peter The Mayo Man.