13:40 Taunton

Monday 13 March 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:05

William Hill Cheltenham Epic Odds Junior 'National Hunt' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 4m 16.42s

Despereaux⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 115| D

6/4

Off the mark in 2m Huntingdon maiden hurdle in November and good effort in useful juvenile contest there 8 weeks ago, still going well when edged ahead briefly entering straight, sticking at it when all wrong at the last. More to come and looks the one to beat.

Form: R13

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Amalfi Skyline^h²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: P G Murphy

16/1

Could do with settling down but clearly has ability and would probably have bettered his debut effort had he completed at Newbury last month, unseating 3 out having again pulled hard.

Form: 5U

Georgi Girl⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 111| BF| D

15/8

Readily won well-run Ludlow fillies' event on debut in December but didn't get as generous a gallop when only third under a penalty at Ffos Las. Remains with potential.

Form: 13

Him Malaya^t⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| BFWS

10/3

Travelled well for a long way despite failing the land the odds on debut at Newton Abbot but shaped as if amiss in warm Kempton contest at Christmas. Subsequent wind op might have helped and he's got a fair bit about him, so worth keeping positive about.

Form: 3P

Milton Boy⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: N J Hawke

80/1

33/1, green and well held in similar event at Ludlow on debut in January.

Form: 8

Nickelforce¹⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case

18/1

Fitted with a hood and well backed for November Doncaster debut but failed to meet expectations, plugging on and finishing with some running left. Should do better.

Form: 4

Scratch Card^h1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: Miss R Curtis

100/1

Didn't get home in Wincanton bumper first time up and far too free for the short amount of time he was in the race on hurdles debut at Hereford a fortnight ago, clear when running out at the second. Hood goes on.

Form: 7R

Grumpy Rosie⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁵⁾| T: C Honour

25/1

Didn't achieve a great deal despite finishing second in a bumper at Exeter in January but bred for the job over jumps and she's one to keep an eye on.

Form: 2

Jina²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Paul O'Brien| T: N J Henderson

25/1

Sent off a short price but was eased off on debut in December. Supported again and showed a bit more at Newbury 22 days ago, already looking in need of a longer trip than this.

Form: P3

Non-Runners

Solomoon⁴¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 4

T: D Skelton J: Bridget Andrews

Damask⁵⁶

Weight: 10-7| Age: 4

T: T Symonds J: Charlie Hammond

Forecasts

Despereaux (6/4), Georgi Girl (15/8), Him Malaya (10/3), Solomoon (8/1), Amalfi Skyline (16/1), Nickelforce (18/1), Jina (25/1), Grumpy Rosie (25/1), Damask (50/1), Milton Boy (80/1), Scratch Card (100/1)

DESPEREAUX might have gone close with a better leap at the last in a much stronger race than this at Huntingdon 8 weeks ago and looks the one to beat with more improvement on the cards. Him Malaya is probably worth sticking with for Paul Nicholls, while Georgi Girl also remains with potential.