14:10 Cheltenham

Friday 18 March 2022

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:13 | Winning time: 4m 1.25s

Call Me Lyreen⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| D

50/1

Low-mileage 6-y-o who belatedly returned to pick of his form from last spring when landing 27-runner Liffey Handicap at Leopardstown last month. However, more on his plate from 14 lb higher mark here.

Form: 62-0001

My Mate Mozzie⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 146

16/1

Useful hurdler, who scored twice prior to a fine second in Gr 1 Royal Bond in November, a late error costing him. Best to overlook last month's Leopardstown run and more to come now handicapping.

Form: 11-1124

Tritonic³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 145

40/1

Well-served by strongly-run race that tested stamina when landing valuable Grade 3 handicap at Ascot (15.7f) in December. Not so good ridden positively in Betfair Hurdle since but each-way claims.

Form: 5-25140

Ballyadam^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 144| D

50/1

Useful novice hurdler who finished well held second in last year's Supreme. Didn't look a natural over fences late last year and he's run poorly twice over hurdles subsequently. Bit to prove now.

Form: 24-F250

Felix Desjy^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 143| D

66/1

Successful twice over fences during 2020 but winless last year and he's become increasingly temperamental, dropping away quickly in a Gowran Grade 3 last month. Hard to warm to.

Form: F-43557

Dysart Diamond^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: J B Foley⁽³⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143

66/1

Never threatened in last year's Coral Cup but scored twice thereafter, including mares' listed event (18f) in November. Creditable third in Quevega Hurdle but this a tough ask from career-high mark.

Form: 912173

Faivoir¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 143| C| D

40/1

Very useful, prolific winning hurdler last season who quickly reached a similar level over fences, winning twice. Latest third in Morebattle Hurdle another solid display but this clearly deeper.

Form: 412233

First Street^h³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142

16/1

Well-regarded 5-y-o who cashed in off 10 lb lower mark at Kempton (2m) in January and enhanced his profile when third in Betfair Hurdle last month, rallying. Possible he has even more in his locker.

Form: 211513

Cask Mate^t⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: D F O'Regan| T: N Meade| OR: 142

80/1

Maiden/novice hurdle winner who ran up to best when second in Gr 2 WKD Hurdle in October. Shaped as if needing Leopardstown return behind Call Me Lyreen last month but this another tough ask.

Form: 1120-20

I Like To Move It³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 142| C| D

8/1

Useful dual bumper winner and similar standard when landing first 3 starts over hurdles. Not seen to best effect at Ascot next time but ran a cracker to finish second in Betfair Hurdle. Shortlisted.

Form: 9-11152

Jesse Evans¹²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 142| BF| D

28/1

Progressive hurdler who finished fourth in Galway Hurdle in July. Fit from success on Flat, he ran below best when ninth in Greatwood Hurdle but freshened up since.

Form: 743-149

Farout^t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142

50/1

Maiden/novice hurdle winner who has reached a useful level, third in Future Champions Grade 1 Novice at Leopardstown in December. Well held back there last month but switch to handicaps a plus.

Form: 112435

West Cork^t⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 141| C

13/2

Fine advert for trainer's skills when making winning return from 21-months off in Greatwood Hurdle here in November. Went well for a long way at Ascot in December and mark remains an appealing one.

Form: 2112/15

Irascible^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 141| D

66/1

Lightly-raced 7-y-o who was a well-beaten fifth in last year's Supreme. Possible first start for 12 months was needed at Fairyhouse in February but others make more appeal in any case.

Form: 5/1255-0

State Man⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141

11/4

Highly promising ex-French gelding who looked likely winner when falling 2 out in Leopardstown maiden before easily gaining compensation at Limerick last month. Very exciting prospect for handicaps.

Form: 2-F1

Colonel Mustard⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: C J Orr⁽³⁾| T: L Fowler| OR: 140

13/2

Didn't need to match previous best when landing a Galway maiden (16.4f) in October but quickly back to useful level with placed efforts in graded company at Ascot/Leopardstown. Can go well again.

Form: 432-123

Suprise Package⁶^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: K C Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 135

9/1

Had been shaping well in Ireland and, played wide and late, he forged clear to land Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m) on Saturday. Has to be worth a look under a penalty and yard won this 12 months ago.

Form: P27291

Top Bandit¹⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 139| C

11/1

Fairly useful in bumpers and impressive start over hurdles during the winter, making it 3 wins from 4 starts with minimum fuss in Punchestown novice (15.8f) in December. More to come now handicapping.

Form: 4-13111

Cormier¹³^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: B Ellison| OR: 134| CD

33/1

Tough, dependable sort who dispelled his Greatwood Hurdle blip when landing a C&D handicap in January and followed up in Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso (2m) 2 weeks ago. This is tougher, though.

Form: 0-24011

Gua Du Large^h,t¹¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 137

33/1

Kapgarde gelding who boasts a mixed record but he resumed progress with big-field handicap success at Fairyhouse (2m) 18 days ago, responding well under pressure. That may not prove his limit.

Form: 1504-P1

Eclair De Beaufeu^p⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Jordan Gainford⁽³⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 136| D

50/1

Boasts good Festival form, running another fine race when fourth in this race 12 months ago. Has yet to fire over hurdles/fences this term but lurking on good mark if return to this venue perks him up

Form: 0-020P0

Tax For Max^h²³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135| BF

28/1

Smart Flat winner who has finished runner-up on 3 of his 4 starts over hurdles, again proving too keen behind Farout at Galway back in July. Well-run race should suit now handicapping at least.

Form: 26-22

Bua Boy¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 135

50/1

Dual hurdles winner who returned with pair of solid placed efforts last summer. Not in same form when well beaten in the Greatwood but should strip fitter for his Leopardstown run 12 days ago.

Form: 39-2203

Broomfield Burg³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| BF

14/1

Low-mileage sort who doubled hurdles tally in a Kempton novice (2m) on Boxing Day. However, could manage only seventh in Betfair Hurdle (sent off 11/4) and it's possible he's a little tricky.

Form: 112217

Stepney Causeway^p1,t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

80/1

Quickly reached a useful level over hurdles last term, winning 4 times. Didn't kick on from chase debut second in 2 subsequent starts in that sphere and tough to pull off front-running tactics here.

Form: 11-3253

Tempo Chapter Two³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 134

40/1

Improving by the run for Willie Mullins, quickening up nicely to get off the mark in a Fairyhouse novice (2m) in February. Pitched in to a deep handicap now but he's totally unexposed.

Form: 2-21421

Forecasts

State Man (11/4), Colonel Mustard (13/2), West Cork (13/2), I Like To Move It (8/1), Suprise Package (9/1), Top Bandit (11/1), Broomfield Burg (14/1), First Street (16/1), My Mate Mozzie (16/1), Jesse Evans (28/1), Tax For Max (28/1), Cormier (33/1), Gua Du Large (33/1), Faivoir (40/1), Tempo Chapter Two (40/1), Tritonic (40/1), Ballyadam (50/1), Farout (50/1), Call Me Lyreen (50/1), Bua Boy (50/1), Eclair De Beaufeu (50/1), Felix Desjy (66/1), Irascible (66/1), Dysart Diamond (66/1), Stepney Causeway (80/1), Cask Mate (80/1)

Unsurprisingly, claims can be made for a host, including Nigel Twiston Davies' I LIKE TO MOVE IT. Already a 3-time winner over hurdles, he improved again and shaped really well when second in the Befair Hurdle latest, going down by a short head. This stiffer test will suit and he earns the vote. Irish raiders Top Bandit and State Man are next best, ahead of West Cork and Surprise Package.