14:40 Cheltenham

Wednesday 14 April 2021

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:42 | Winning time: 4m 52.77s

Pileon^b1⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140| D

22/1

Progressive hurdler last season, including runner-up in Martin Pipe over C&D. Things haven't gone to plan this term (over fences initially) but wouldn't be a shock if he revived in blinkers.

Form: 112-4PP

Back On The Lash¹⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 133| C

25/1

Signed off last season with a win in 17f handicap here. Reappeared with a decent third on Carlisle chase debut in October. Absent since but could have a say if ready to roll back hurdling.

Form: 21571-3

Kilbricken Storm^t¹²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 132| C

40/1

Useful 3m winner over hurdles. Pulled up in a couple of chases towards end of 2020 so needs a return to hurdles to spark a revival back from 4 months off.

Form: 3630-PP

Proschema³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| BF

7/2

Useful hurdler who won a pair of AW jumpers bumpers at the start of this year. Not at best when fifth in 2m Newbury handicap hurdle last month but this trip could suit one who stays well on Flat.

Form: 4-2P115

Byron Flyer^p¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: Ian Williams| OR: 128| D

80/1

Useful dual-purpose performer but wasn't at his best back hurdling in the autumn and also finished last of 6 on AW Flat return last month. Bit to prove for now.

Form: 6/11-458

Captain Tom Cat¹³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 126| C

7/2

Completed a hat-trick when making successful handicap debut over 21f here in October. Shaped as if still in good form when sixth at Aintree in December. Could resume his progression back from break.

Form: 211136

Global Society^h³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 125

14/1

Hurdle debut winner last winter. Disappointingly failed to build on that on next 3 starts but firmly back on track when third at Stratford (2m) last month. Goes back up in trip now.

Form: 21P4-83

Here Comes McCoy^h,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 123| D

13/2

Made it 2-5 over hurdles when beating Quinta Do Mar a length in 19f Market Rasen novice in this headgear combination last month. Ought to be competitive off this opening handicap mark.

Form: 1-41721

Quinta Do Mar²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: K Brogan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 122| BF

9/1

Has made positive start over hurdles for this yard, comfortably landing 2m Ludlow novice last month. Beaten length by reopposing Here Comes Mccoy at Market Rasen (19f) 3 weeks later. Handicap debut.

Form: 1/92-312

Java Point^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: J J Burke| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 121

9/2

Point winner who was has improved over hurdles since fitted with a tongue tie, runner-up twice in handicaps before getting off mark in 21f Warwick maiden 15 days ago. Looks capable of better again.

Form: 24-5221

Winds Of Fire⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 117| D

9/1

Useful on Flat and going the right way in this sphere, off the mark at Sedgefield (2½m) prior to finishing second at Hereford (2m) and Fakenham (3m).

Form: 8-62122

Dell Oro³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: James Davies| T: D Steele| OR: 114| D

66/1

Gone wrong way since Huntingdon chase win in January 2019, including beaten a long way both starts for new yard this season.

Form: P3/PP-03

Non-Runners

Beauport³²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Jordan Nailor

Forecasts

Proschema (7/2), Captain Tom Cat (7/2), Java Point (9/2), Beauport (11/2), Here Comes McCoy (13/2), Winds Of Fire (9/1), Quinta Do Mar (9/1), Global Society (14/1), Pileon (22/1), Back On The Lash (25/1), Kilbricken Storm (40/1), Dell Oro (66/1), Byron Flyer (80/1)

A useful contest. JAVA POINT has progressed nicely of late and gets a narrow vote. Dan Skelton's Proschema is of some interest now stepping up to a trip which could suit given the stamina he's shown on the Flat. Course-winner Captain Tom Cat has the potential for better again back from a break and also makes the shortlist.