15:00 Cheltenham

Friday 9 December 2022

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 4m 6.71s

Zoffanien²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽⁵⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 137| D

14/1

Well backed when capitalising on much-reduced mark at Killarney (17f) in July. Ran just as well when fifth of 12 in 3m handicap here last month, the trip just stretching him in the closing stages. Back down significantly in trip now.

Form: 60-7105

Anyharminasking⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136| D

3/1

Beat Constitution Hill in a point. Won his first 2 starts in handicap hurdles at the beginning of the year and bounced back quickly from a below-par run on his reappearance when third of 10 in a warm-looking race at Huntingdon. Another to consider.

Form: 2211-63

Rouge Vif³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: H Whittington| OR: 135| C| D

22/1

Smart novice hurdler a few seasons back and subsequently developed into a high-class chaser. However, failed to shine in a handful of runs for Paul Nicholls and well held back hurdling at Huntingdon last month having rejoined Harry Whittington.

Form: 9/434-F5

Oakley²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: R Bandey| OR: 131

22/1

Back on the scoresheet at Stratford (2m, soft) in March. Respectable fourth (Too Friendly ahead in second) on his 2m Wetherby reappearance last month, shaping as if possible just needing the outing.

Form: 6/3918-4

Perfect Myth^h,t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: W S Kittow| OR: 127| D

100/1

Won 3 times for Neil King in 2020/21 campaign but disappointed in 2 hurdle runs last season. Runner-up twice at a modest level on the Flat current stable in 2022 but probably best watched back hurdling.

Form: 234P/P0-

Too Friendly²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123

5/1

Flat winner for George Scott and landed 2 juvenile hurdles last autumn. Has recorded 2 credtiable efforts in 2m handicaps this term, finishing runner-up at Wetherby latterly.

Form: 1455-42

Punctuation^t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121

9/2

Lightly-raced hurdler who has upped his game since joining Fergal O'Brien, making it 3 in a row when just holding on at Uttoxeter (2½m) on his reappearance in November. Raised another 6 lb but there could easily be more to come.

Form: 6/5911-1

Mullenbeg⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: M F Harris| OR: 114| CD

9/4

Useful dual bumper winner who is really motoring over hurdles now, readily completing a hat-trick in 2m Ludlow handicap last week. A 7 lb penalty may not prevent her completing a quick 4-timer.

Form: 2-32111

Iontach Cheval³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: A Ralph| OR: 114| D

11/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who recorded a career best when making a successful reappearance in handicap at Warwick (2m, soft) last month. Isn't the easiest of rides, though, and a 4 lb rise may find him out in this higher grade.

Form: 1/1834-1

Non-Runners

Lively Citizen²¹

Weight: 10-8| Age: 7

T: D J Jeffreys J: Charlie Deutsch

Le Patron¹⁷⁰

Weight: 10-7| Age: 4

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Forecasts

Mullenbeg (9/4), Anyharminasking (3/1), Punctuation (9/2), Too Friendly (5/1), Le Patron (6/1), Iontach Cheval (11/1), Zoffanien (14/1), Lively Citizen (14/1), Oakley (22/1), Rouge Vif (22/1), Perfect Myth (100/1)

MULLENBEG had plenty in hand at Ludlow last week so a 7 lb penalty may not prevent her going in again, for all this is undoubtedly a stronger race. Punctuation is another on a winning run and heads the dangers along with Jonjo O'Neill's Anyharminasking. Gary Moore French recruit LE PATRON would also need considering if the betting suggests she's fancied.