Cheltenham Countdown At timeform.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 4m 12.60s

Minella Charmer⁴²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: James Moffatt| OR: 132| D

15/2

Landed handicap hurdles 9 months apart in 2019, his only outings that year. Missed all of 2020 but assessor has given him a chance if he does return on his game.

Form: FFP31/1-

Vision Du Puy²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 126| D

9/2

Ready winner of newcomers' hurdle at Auteuil and comfortably landed the odds on British bow at Perth in 2019. Restricted to just 3 runs since, well held at Musselburgh, but top connections persevere.

Form: 11/30-7

Countister⁹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 125| D

25/1

Close third in 2019 County Hurdle but lightly raced and not competitive since. Plenty to prove on first outing since leaving Nicky Henderson.

Form: 30/78-8P

Corrieben Reiver⁴⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: A C Whillans| OR: 125| D

9/1

Bumper winner who looked promising when making a successful hurdles debut at Ayr (2m, good to soft) in October 2019. Absent since, but opening mark is fair so he needs considering. Market can guide.

Form: 3144/1-

Ebony Jewel⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R Patrick| T: N W Alexander| OR: 122| BF| D

6/4

Bumper winner who enjoyed a productive first campaign over hurdles last term. Has failed to shine in 2 starts switched to handicaps this season, though.

Form: 312F-45

Battle Of Wills¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 120| D

18/1

Maiden hurdle winner for Gordon Elliott in Ireland, but little to shout about in 3 starts in various company for current yard.

Form: 6-35367

Serious Ego²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 119| D

7/2

Just the one victory for Gordon Elliott but confirmed promise of his reappearance when a ready winner at Haydock a month ago. Up 9 lb but has far less to prove than most.

Form: 8634-31

Forecasts

Ebony Jewel (6/4), Serious Ego (7/2), Vision Du Puy (9/2), Minella Charmer (15/2), Corrieben Reiver (9/1), Battle Of Wills (18/1), Countister (25/1)

With the exception of SERIOUS EGO, all of these have either been off the track a while or arrive out of sorts, so he's very much the percentage call following a smooth win at Haydock a month ago. Minella Charmer and Corrieben Reiver are interesting, while leading connections keep the faith with Vision du Puy and the market will reveal plenty.