Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 5m 55.77s

Here Comes McCoy^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 117| C

5/1

Dual novice hurdle winner who made an inauspicious start over fences after 21 months off at Warwick 38 days ago, trying to refuse at the first and unseating his rider. Back over hurdles now and hard to know what to expect.

Form: 17216/U

Cavallino^b,t⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 117

25/1

Hurdle winner/fairly maiden chaser for Willie Mullins in Ireland but was well held in a first-time tongue strap (also had breathing op) on first start for this yard at Chepstow in December. Needs to leave that behind in refitted blinkers.

Form: F235P-8

Fakir^t⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: M F Harris| OR: 115

10/1

Back on track when landing a 3-runner handicap chase at Fontwell (21.6f, good) on debut for this yard in September. Has gone the wrong way since though, so others preferred for all he returns to this sphere on an attractive mark.

Form: 31653P

Betty's Banjo⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 112

12/1

Won sole outing in Irish points and left hurdling debut form behind when landing a mares novice at Uttoxeter (19.9f) in May. However, after 4 months off made a discouraging handicap debut at Exeter in November. Bounce back called for.

Form: 17-12P

Republican^p³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: O Sherwood| OR: 112

18/5

Winless since 2019 but has fallen in the weights and stepped up on her comeback run in first-time cheekpieces when fourth of 13 in 3m handicap at Taunton 39 days ago, despite a sketchy round of jumping. Player down in grade.

Form: 3F/54-74

Shighness³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 107| CD

2/1

Improved for the switch to handicaps when winning 5-runner event over C&D (heavy) in November, suited by emphasis on stamina. Ran to a similar level off a 6 lb higher mark when fourth at Haydock since and ought to be on the premises again.

Form: 3614-14

Halifax^t⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 106

7/2

Maiden who shaped as if still in good form when fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Ascot (24.4f, good to soft) 81 days ago, though found little. First run for yard after leaving Jonjo O'Neill.

Form: 355234

Forecasts

Shighness (2/1), Halifax (7/2), Republican (18/5), Here Comes McCoy (5/1), Fakir (10/1), Betty's Banjo (12/1), Cavallino (25/1)

SHIGHNESS is back on less testing ground (best form in the mud) but she's made a solid start to life in handicaps and appeals as the most solid option in an ordinary handicap for the level. Republican posted a respectable fourth in first-time cheekpieces at Taunton last time and is potentially well treated now, so he's feared most.