15:40 Cheltenham

Friday 13 December 2019

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Citipost Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 6m 13.70s

Kilbricken Storm^t²⁵¹

6/1

Took the Albert Bartlett in 2018 highlighting his good form throughout that season. Failed to really make the transition to fences last term, consequently soon returned to hurdling (below-par); handicap debut post a wind op for his seasonal return.

Form: 13/1600-

Champers On Ice^p,t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 140| C| D

9/1

Rejuvenated of late having been a smart novice hurdler in the 2015/16 season building on his winning Ffos Las winning return by taking a competitive Newbury handicap (3m, made all). Up 3lb but should go well again in his hat-trick bid.

Form: 58/4P-11

Ask Ben²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 136| D

11/4

Doughty stayer as a novice hurdler (dual winner) who shaped with promise after a break when fourth in a good staying handicap last time (travelled well through the race). Not had much racing so more progress likely off this mark; leading chance.

Form: 1V120-4

Falco Blitz²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

7/1

First or second in all his completed hurdles he shaped well when making his handicap debut over 2m5f here last time; proving no match for a well-handicapped winner. Up in trip he's in good hands and should make further progress given his background.

Form: P222-12

Printing Dollars¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 131| D

16/1

Bumper/hurdles winner (won consecutive 2m7f hurdles at Exeter early last year); Well below form in her two starts this term although she was at Listed level (mares') last time; may struggle despite the handicapper releasing the handbrake a little.

Form: 1172-95

Smackwater Jack²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: O Murphy| OR: 131

9/1

Useful in novice hurdles last season he appears to have returned in good form and on the plus side he's still unexposed as a stayer. Good fourth here over this trip last time in testing conditions; would benefit from a stronger gallop, worth noting.

Form: 1204-24

No Getaway³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 126

12/1

Improved markedly to open his account when travelling well and winning easily at Hereford in November by 13L. Given a stiff 12lb rise for his win he remains with potential and with likelihood that this longer trip will suit him even better.

Form: 48842-1

Goodbye Dancer^t²⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 124

13/2

First run for a stable that can do little wrong at the moment although he failed to capitalise on a drop in grade last time (0-130). He's an infrequent winner these days though with his jumping often called into question; others appeal more.

Form: 36839-4

Man Of Plenty^p,t⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 123

40/1

Not at his best of late; although his mark is falling, he's not really showing the sort of élan that will see him make use of that reduced mark. Never mounted a threat last time at Sandown (won the race last year); hard to launch a persuasive case.

Form: 986880

Debestyman¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 120| D

9/1

Well held in bumpers his form over hurdles is better winning a Plumpton novice earlier in the year over 2m4f. Upped in trip last time (behind Champers On Ice), looked well suited by the extra distance, 1lb lower, would need a career best.

Form: 5741-76

Regarding Ruth^p²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: L Wadham| OR: 119

25/1

Stepped up on anything she had shown before when scoring at Fakenham in October (won well under a confident ride; looked ahead of mark). Far from disgraced from this mark at Market Rasen last time, this requires even more.

Form: 3439-14

Non-Runners

Lungarno Palace¹⁸

Weight: 10-6| Age: 8

T: F O'Brien J: Alain Cawley

Forecasts

Ask Ben (11/4), Kilbricken Storm (6/1), Goodbye Dancer (13/2), Falco Blitz (7/1), Champers On Ice (9/1), Debestyman (9/1), Smackwater Jack (9/1), No Getaway (12/1), Lungarno Palace (12/1), Printing Dollars (16/1), Regarding Ruth (25/1), Man Of Plenty (40/1)

The hat-trick seeking Champers On Ice is sure to be a popular order given he won a hot Newbury handicap in good style over this trip last time and his previous novice form still leaves him looking well handicapped. Kilbricken Storm runs in his first ever handicap and this former Grade 1 winner could well be dangerously handicapped returning from a wind op. ASK BEN edges the vote though on the basis of his run at Haydock last time where he travelled like the best horse in the race for nearly the entire race. No Getaway, an easy winner last time and Smackwater Jack unexposed as a stayer deserve respect as does Falco Blitz another likely improver over a staying trip.