16:10 Cheltenham

Saturday 28 January 2023

All11:4012:1012:4013:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

SSS Super Alloys Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 4m 9.91s

Jason The Militant^t¹¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 154| BF

50/1

Smart hurdler for Henry De Bromhead and also bagged a listed race on the Flat in October 2021. Not at his best back hurdling at Tipperary in October but the ground was probably quicker than he cares for (best on soft/heavy). Sold for £50,000 last month.

Form: 31U7/3-4

Camprond¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 147| C| D

18/1

Hasn't taken to fences this winter but he's a really smart hurdler, including a win in a big-field handicap at the Punchestown Festival in April. Brought down early back hurdling at Kempton a fortnight ago.

Form: 441-U4B

Might I⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 142| BF

9/2

Proved himself a useful hurdler last term, finishing runner-up in 2½m Aintree Grade 1 on his final start. Raced too freely upped to 3m on return and now drops back significantly in trip. Remains a potentially smart handicapper.

Form: 5/1232-8

Martator⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 138| D

40/1

Placed in Grade 1s in Auteuil in 2021 for Joel Boisnard but subsequently spent more than a year off the track and he capitulated rather tamely on his British debut at Sandown last month. This run should reveal more but he's tough to fancy on his latest effort.

Form: 12343-8

Nells Son^p1⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 137

16/1

Useful hurdler and sound start over fences when second in 4-runner novices' handicap at Ayr (16.5f) in October. Seemed to find things happening too quickly when fourth at Carlisle (2m) since and now back hurdling. Cheekpieces go on.

Form: 2414-24

Hacker Des Places⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137| D

4/1

Ended last season in fine form under this rider, winning at Chepstow and Aintree with a solid third in the Imperial Cup at Sandown in between. Returned with good second at Ascot in October and this likeable sort shouldn't be ruled out.

Form: 64131-2

Barrichello²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 132

20/1

Developed into a useful hurdler last term, including a 2m Haydock listed novice success. Placed in 3 small-field novice handicap chases this season but this looks more competitive back hurdling.

Form: 117-332

Front View⁷²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Mr Kevin Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132

80/1

Useful hurdler/chaser in Ireland for Joseph O'Brien but absent for nearly 2 years ahead of this return for a new stable. Could only consider if backed.

Form: 0531U0/

Takeit Easy⁴¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Alan Johns| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 130

22/1

Improved again when winning over 2m at Wetherby in October 2021. Creditable efforts in defeat next 2 starts but he's been off for 13 months.

Form: 1/12124-

Pikar²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| BF

7/2

Showed plenty of promise in three starts last term and comfortably bagged 2m novice hurdle at Chepstow on his return in October. Sent off a warm favourite for a competitive 20.5f handicap at Newbury 2 months later but never got involved. Evidently well regarded and return to 2m may help.

Form: 2F5-16

Punctuation^t⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129| CD

10/3

Has upped his game since joining Fergal O'Brien and fitted with a tongue tie, making it 4 in a row when seeing off 8 rivals over C&D last month. Well on top at the finish on that occasion so a further 8 lb rise may not prevent him going in again.

Form: 5911-11

Hystery Bere⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: T Symonds| OR: 126| D

25/1

Made only a respectable return to action when 16 lengths fourth at Doncaster in November but the fact he was placed in this race 12 months ago makes him a dangerous one to discount.

Form: 3/13P6-4

Fautinette^h1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 126

80/1

Unbeaten all 3 starts over hurdlesin France but has pulled up in an Aintree Grade 1 and Sandown mares' listed event since joining this stable. More realistic chance at this level but can only really be watched for now. Wears a first-time hood.

Form: 1P-P

Malakahna^p,t⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 125| CD

40/1

Progressive when racking up a hat-trick over hurdles around 2m last spring. Also successful twice on the Flat in the autumn but made a disappointing return to hurdles when remote seventh at Newbury in November. Bounce back needed.

Form: 24111-7

Long Stay^t⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122| BF| D

25/1

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner in 2020 and returned from a long absence to finish placed in 2m handicaps at Perth and Newbury in the autumn. Remains unexposed but he is 6 lb out of the weights here.

Form: F121/23

Non-Runners

Castel Gandolfo⁸⁶

Weight: 10-2| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: Tom Broughton

Forecasts

Punctuation (10/3), Pikar (7/2), Hacker Des Places (4/1), Might I (9/2), Nells Son (16/1), Camprond (18/1), Barrichello (20/1), Takeit Easy (22/1), Hystery Bere (25/1), Long Stay (25/1), Castel Gandolfo (33/1), Martator (40/1), Malakahna (40/1), Jason The Militant (50/1), Front View (80/1), Fautinette (80/1)

A very competitive finale. PUNCTUATION keeps on finding more and is taken to defy the handicapper again but there are many possible dangers, headed by Hacker des Places. Might I and Pikar failed to fire when strong in the market last time but remain handicappers with potential and also make the shortlist.