15:05 Cheltenham

Sunday 1 January 2023

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 6m 6.04s

Thomas Darby^t³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 152| C| D

16/1

Unreliable type who won the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in 2021/22 but was a well-beaten third in that corresponding race last time. This is more suitable but has a fair bit to prove at present.

Form: 14P4-23

Call Me Lord²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144| C

7/1

Belied market unease as he capitalised on a falling mark after 7 months off at Kempton (21f) in November and should have followed up at Sandown, his claiming rider mistaking the winning post and paying the price as Dolphin Square swooped. More needed now.

Form: 36P3-12

Dolphin Square^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 143| CD

13/2

Had a very productive 2021/22 season, winning 5 times, including this corresponding event. Fortunate to win on reappearance at Sandown (Call Me Lord's rider eased prematurely) but has clearly returned in good heart and looks sure to go well again.

Form: 11911-1

Brinkley^v1⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 136| D

10/1

Is potentially on a good mark but things happening too quickly for him from some way out on his reappearance at Haydock (24.3f, good to soft)) 43 days ago. Visor on for 1st time and ideally needs plenty of rain.

Form: 10/1P3-9

Wilde About Oscar²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136

7/1

Endured a disappointing 2021-22 campaign but proved better than ever upped in trip when just failing in Sandown handicap (23.4f) won by Dolphin Square 29 days ago. Well in the mix with a repeat.

Form: 6747-03

Abuffalosoldier³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: W Greatrex| OR: 127| D

4/1

Showed improved form to resume winning ways on just his second handicap start in 14-runner event at Newbury (24.2f, good to soft) 37 days ago, relishing the step up to 3m. That form has already been franked by the runner-up and 3rd and he's totally unexposed as a stayer.

Form: 3110-31

Jet Of Magic^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126| BF

7/2

Improved for the fitting of cheekpieces towards the end of last season and having joined Paul Nicholls, was heavily backed to make it 3 wins from his last 4 outings on return at Hereford. Would have followed up under a penalty but for a bad error 2 out at Taunton and remains of interest.

Form: P11-012

Hector Javilex^t⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 125

8/1

Dual winner over hurdles who ran well when fourth of 18 on his handicap debut at this course (21f, good, 13/2) 51 days ago, making effort earlier than ideal. Merits consideration up in trip.

Form: 2611-54

Bridge North²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 125| BF

11/1

Maiden/novice hurdle winner last season and creditable fifth in 3m Aintree Grade 1 on final start. Shaped quite well in 2½m handicap won by Peking Rose back at Aintree on his reappearance but was pulled up in handicap won by Dolphin Square at Newbury 29 days ago. Needs to bounce back in a big way.

Form: 1P15-5P

Del La Mar Rocket^t1⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: B Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 121

22/1

Landed a Ffos Las maiden in February but has been held back by his jumping since, including when last of 5 in Uttoxeter handicap (23.3f, soft) on his return. Tongue strap on for 1st time. Others more persuasive.

Form: 48125-5

Non-Runners

Peking Rose¹

Weight: 10-8| Age: 8

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Jet Of Magic (7/2), Abuffalosoldier (4/1), Dolphin Square (13/2), Call Me Lord (7/1), Wilde About Oscar (7/1), Hector Javilex (8/1), Brinkley (10/1), Peking Rose (10/1), Bridge North (11/1), Thomas Darby (16/1), Del La Mar Rocket (22/1)

ABUFFALOSOLDIER was well suited by the step up to 3m when making his second handicap start a winning one at Newbury 37 days ago and, with the second and third going on to advertise the form since, he looks capable of defying a 6 lb rise. Jet of Magic has made a good start for Paul Nicholls and remains of interest, while Hector Javilex completes the shortlist.