Complete Cheltenham Festival Coverage On RacingTV Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 53.43s

Oakley⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 128| D

17/2

Useful handicapper at best for Philip Hobbs and made a respectable start for new yard when third at Wincanton on return in December. Disappointing next time, though, and now has a bit to prove.

Form: 0/366-39

Restandbethankful^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 128| CD

11/2

Resumed his progress when bagging third win of season in 2m handicap at Huntingdon in December. Best to overlook subsequent Musselburgh effort (lost action), but more needed here all the same.

Form: 11671P

Shantou Express^h1⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 128| CD

13/2

Enjoyed productive first season over hurdles in 2020/21, save for his Haydock no-show last April. Out of sorts so far this term (initially over fences), but down to an attractive mark and now hooded.

Form: 527-5P0

Osprey Call^h³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 122| D

6/4

Failed to complete in handicap hurdles on first 2 starts this term prior to a tame chase debut in January. However, back on-song returned to this sphere when scoring at Warick (2m) and 4 lb rise fair.

Form: 12-FF61

Castel Gandolfo^t⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 119| D

9/2

Dual winner last summer and big step forward when runner-up back from a break at Cheltenham (16.4f) in November. Not in the same form there next time, but possibilities if able to bounce back.

Form: 113227

Petit Palais^p,t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 117| CD

25/1

Snapped a losing run on debut for new yard at Lyon Parilly in October 2020. However, always on the back foot following an early mistake back from a 17-month layoff at Newbury. Cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 6P/341-P

Sage Advice¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 115| D

10/1

Hurdles debut winner last term and very creditable sixth of 22 in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham 12 months ago. Has offered little so far this season, but dangerous to discount off this reduced mark.

Form: 236-596

Forecasts

Osprey Call (6/4), Castel Gandolfo (9/2), Restandbethankful (11/2), Shantou Express (13/2), Oakley (17/2), Sage Advice (10/1), Petit Palais (25/1)

Tricky fare, with doubts surrounding the majority of these for one reason or another. OSPREY CALL is the exception, having regained the winning thread back hurdling at Warwick last month and this 4 lb higher mark should be within reach. Shantou Express and Sage Advice have both been given a chance by the handicapper and are feared most in that order, while Castel Gandolfo also enters calculations.