14:45 Doncaster

Thursday 18 March 2021

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

MansionBet Cheltmas Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 4m 47.98s

Onemorefortheroad¹¹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 12-4| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁵⁾| T: N B King| OR: 113

11/8

Improving hurdler who posted 11l win in 2m handicap at Huntingdon 11 days ago. Saddles 7 lb penalty but he has more to offer up in trip so expected to be bang there.

Form: 33-1331

Your Band¹⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph| OR: 114

16/1

Dual Flat winner who was also successful twice from 3 starts in this sphere in 2019. In need of run after 14 months off in Carlisle handicap in October and back after another break now.

Form: 211-8

Fricka²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Graham Carson⁽⁷⁾| T: A Carson| OR: 113

25/1

Fair winning hurdler but below form of late, eighth of 13 in 2m4f handicap at Market Rasen last time. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 434478

Hunting Percival⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 113| BF

10/1

Lightly-raced bumper/hurdle winner who wasn't disgraced after 5 months off when fifth in Newcastle jumpers bumper last month. Retains potential back in this sphere so needs considering.

Form: 13-145

Raven Court²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 113

33/1

Promising efforts when twice in frame in novice hurdles but last of 7 on handicap bow at Huntingdon (2m) last month. Has it to prove now.

Form: 68/3-047

Just Call Me Al⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: G Boanas| OR: 112| D

10/1

Fair hurdler/chaser who arrives in decent nick from jumpers bumpers, scoring at Newcastle. Not ruled out back in this sphere.

Form: 4FF138

Duc De Bourbon⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 111

18/1

Encouraging fourth in 2m Taunton novice but well held in sixth when falling heavily 2 out there 98 days ago. Makes handicap debut and remains open to improvement after a break.

Form: 49-F4F

Kloud Gate⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 108| CD

6/1

Dual hurdle winner in 2018, including over C&D. Off the track almost 2 years and has offered little on his return. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 116/894

Midnight Glance⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 103

11/1

Returned with back-to-back handicap victories over 2m4f at Plumpton but his good form ended when only fifth at Fakenham in January. Sort to bounce back after a break.

Form: 06-1135

Billy Ray²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 96| BF

11/2

Had wind op before upping his form a notch in this sphere when second of 18 in handicap at Wetherby (2m4f) 12 days ago. Winner has gone in again so holds good claims despite 5 lb rise.

Form: 35-6872

Non-Runners

Cafe Pushkin³¹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 5

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Onemorefortheroad (11/8), Billy Ray (11/2), Kloud Gate (6/1), Hunting Percival (10/1), Just Call Me Al (10/1), Cafe Pushkin (10/1), Midnight Glance (11/1), Your Band (16/1), Duc De Bourbon (18/1), Fricka (25/1), Raven Court (33/1)

A few of these offer potential, not least ONEMOREFORTHEROAD who was an emphatic winner on his handicap bow at Huntingdon and can make light of a 7 lb penalty on just his fourth go over hurdles. Billy Ray showed the benefit of a wind op when runner-up at Wetherby last time so is feared most with that form looking strong. Duc de Bourbon and Hunting Percival are worth considering too.