14:55 Taunton

Monday 9 March 2020

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:50

William Hill Money Back 2nd At Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 4m 22.96s

Nordic Combined^b,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-6| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 122

9/4

Remains a maiden over hurdles with his latest Ludlow run showing why that remains the case. Far from an easy ride (goes in snatches) and despite the drop in grade last time he failed to convince; one to be wary of with others preferred.

Form: 8-33644

Tegerek^h⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 12-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 114| D

2/1

Justified support at Huntingdon last time back down in trip off the back of a break wearing a first-time hood. Won by 10L but in truth it was a weak contest (several out of form); penalised 7lb (hood retained), travels well, this looks stronger.

Form: 42-3041

The Garrison⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: David Noonan| T: G Harris| OR: 112

50/1

Improved on his poor bumper form in a couple of his novice hurdle starts reaching a fair level. Pulled up last time when pitched into handicap for his debut in that sphere (mark looked stiff); eased 3lb but still makes limited appeal.

Form: 78354P

Escrime D'Art⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 109

8/1

Unexposed sort who won a bumper when trained in France on debut and looks to be making steady progress over hurdles in maiden/novice hurdles. Doesn't appear badly-weighted for his handicap debut despite the return to 2m.

Form: 5/29-033

Initiative³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: R J Price| OR: 109

25/1

Newcomer to handicaps with his mark based on one or two rather flimsy pieces of form. Appeared to excel himself on his penultimate start over C&D before failing to run to the same level last time under a change of tactics; opening mark looks stiff.

Form: 7424

Grand Slam¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 108

14/1

Handicap look to have been the objective for this one although connections may have been wishing to come into his debut in this sphere on the back of a better run. No surprise to see him leave that run behind especially over further in future.

Form: 840

Mount Windsor^h³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 104

9/2

Yet to match his winning performances in bumpers that were useful over hurdles although his latest start did promise more. Stayed on steadily off this mark at Kempton (well weighted on bumper form); promises more especially off a strong pace.

Form: 150264

Sainte Doctor³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 110| D

16/1

One of two in these colours who are expected to do better in this sphere having run well in her first two starts for the yard. Won her only French Flat outing so clearly has ability, mark far from harsh, betting may prove an interesting guide.

Form: 1548

Fukuto¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 97

12/1

Mark continues to tumble but with little signs that he's going to take advantage especially on ground such as this. Failed to fire this season and with one or two capable of progressing in this he's not one that would make the shortlist.

Form: 8-50987

Forecasts

Tegerek (2/1), Nordic Combined (9/4), Mount Windsor (9/2), Escrime D'Art (8/1), Fukuto (12/1), Grand Slam (14/1), Sainte Doctor (16/1), Initiative (25/1), The Garrison (50/1)

Plenty of focus will be on Tegerek here after his 10L romp to victory at Huntingdon last time and he should be capable under a 7lb penalty of putting up a good display. However, MOUNT WINDSOR was far from disgraced at Kempton last time and some of his other hurdles form shows him in a good light plus he looks well handicapped on his useful bumper form. The green and gold hooped colours carried by Grand Slam and Sainte Doctor will be of interest with both having flashed ability that signalled they would be well worth watching in handicaps especially if there is a strong market move for either of them. Escrime D’Art is another handicap newcomer who won’t look out of place in this.