15:05 Cheltenham

Saturday 14 December 2019

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

Unibet International Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 4m 18.96s

Ch'tibello²⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 157| CD

8/1

Went winless in graded company he looked to have been laid out for his County Hurdle win at this years Festival doing the job in fine style. Finished a creditable third in a 2m4f Grade 1 since; back from a break, record off 150+ day breaks reads 0-3.

Form: 569213-

Gumball^h²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 152

11/1

Front/prominent runner he won't be getting his way up front here although his career is firmly back on track this year. Won three times on the Flat prior to landing a Listed handicap hurdle at Ascot, just failed last time out but this is far tougher.

Form: 1/49-312

Le Patriote^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 154| C

16/1

Completed a hat-trick with a career-best when taking the Swinton Hurdle back in May, confirming his sustained progress. Not disgraced when he returned at Ascot (Coral Hurdle) a race which gave him a different experience, finished behind Call Me Lord.

Form: P/811-14

Elixir De Nutz³⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 153| CD

12/1

Out-and-out front runner (fluent jumper) who has twice performed well around here once over C&D late last year. Scored in similar style when taking the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle when last seen; this demands more but of interest if ready to go.

Form: 6/F2111-

Pentland Hills²⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| CD

5/2

First big test for this 4yo who went 3-3 over hurdles last season landing the Triumph Hurdle over C&D and the Grade 1 for juveniles at Aintree. Fairly useful on the Flat he now gets his first proper test against some established hurdlers.

Form: 111-

Ballyandy⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 151| BF| C

12/1

Won a Uttoxeter handicap in January having failed to really scale the heights that had looked possible earlier in his career. Failed to stay when back in Grade 2 company last time; back in trip, looks set to find this a struggle on earlier evidence.

Form: 4133-64

Call Me Lord²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 160| BF

2/1

Back from a very limited campaign at Ascot last time showed that all his old ability remained having won at this level before in 2018. Went with zest, jumped well, interesting that connections now let him left-handed for the first time in his career.

Form: 321/73-2

Monsieur Lecoq²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 150

8/1

Progressive sort in handicaps taking the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las in October (handled desperate conditions well). Ran well again in a top handicap here last time, yet to let himself down in that sphere but asked a different question here.

Form: 1120-13

Non-Runners

Big Blue³⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: C & D Eustace J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Call Me Lord (2/1), Pentland Hills (5/2), Ch'tibello (8/1), Monsieur Lecoq (8/1), Gumball (11/1), Ballyandy (12/1), Elixir De Nutz (12/1), Le Patriote (16/1), Big Blue (50/1)

There should be no hanging about in this with both Gumball and Elixir De Nutz sure to go from the front and set a good pace, that aspect may well test the fitness of the latter who returns from injury. PENTLAND HILLS gets the first real test of his credentials as a 4yo with three of this age group having won this race since 2006. He’s already proven himself over C&D and gets a narrow vote over stablemate Call Me Lord who connections finally give a chance left-handed after being adamant about having to run him in the opposite direction, he has the form to win this. Ch’tibello needs to prove himself fresh while Monsieur Lecoq and Le Patriote face stiffer tasks than in the past.