14:10 Cheltenham

Thursday 16 March 2023

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 5m 59.06s

Salvador Ziggy¹⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Aidan Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| D

10/1

Most progressive since joining Gordon Elliott and completed a four-timer in 3m Down Royal conditions hurdle in August. Off the track since posting an excellent fourth in 3m handicap here in October but remains with potential and shouldn't be underestimated despite top weight.

Form: 8-11114

The Bosses Oscar^p,t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Harvey⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 145

18/1

Smart hurdler/chaser who landed Limerick conditions hurdle in July before resuming from 6 months off with very good third in 3m handicap at Musselburgh. Runner-up in this event in 2021 and well in the mix again.

Form: P-42143

Maxxum⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| BF| D

9/2

Very much on the up since joining current yard, readily landing big-field 3m handicaps at Navan and Leopardstown in late 2022. Badly hampered home turn when twelfth back at Leopardstown last time and remains open to progress for stable which has excellent record in this event.

Form: 542110

Itchy Feet²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 143

40/1

Rejuvenated by a return to hurdles of late, winning 25f Huntingdon handicap before runner-up to Wakool in Rendlesham at Haydock 26 days ago. This demands more.

Form: PP-4612

Good Time Jonny^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 142| D

9/1

Three-time winner last term who got back on track after an unsuccessful stint chasing when third of 27 to Maxxum in 3m Leopardstown handicap in December. Unsuited by drop to 2m back at Leopardstown since. Weighted to go well.

Form: 9-P4030

Wakool^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 142| D

33/1

Has made really good strides since stepped up to 3m, gaining his fifth success in the Rendlesham at Haydock 26 days ago by 1¾ lengths from Itchy Feet. Has proved vulnerable from marks in the 140s previously, though.

Form: 3-17241

Captain Morgs^p⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141| CD

22/1

Unreliable type but he showed the benefit of cheekpieces (retained) when winning handicap over C&D in December. Others remain more persuasive, though.

Form: 85-2321

Coltor^p³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: K Brogan| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 139

28/1

Fairly useful on the Flat and over hurdles for Dermot Weld. Has made a solid start for his new stable and came in a good second to Brandy McQueen in handicap at Musselburgh (3m) 39 days ago. Not entirely dismissed.

Form: 15/P01-2

Green Book²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 139

40/1

On the up last season and resumed his progression when landing 3m Sandown handicap last month. Possibly found run coming too quickly when beating only one at Haydock last time and no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 459-615

An Tailliur¹⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 139| D

10/1

Enjoyed a superb time of it last season when winning a remarkable 7 times. Off 5 months, very good third of 15 in 3m handicap here in October. Resumes after another break now but still can't be ruled out.

Form: U121-23

Mill Green²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138

22/1

Low-mileage 11-y-o who came in third in this contest 12 months ago. Returned from 10 months off with encouraging third in 3m Haydock handicap last month so not discounted off an unchanged mark.

Form: FU233-3

Walking On Air³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138

9/1

Low-mileage 6-y-o who took his form up a notch when comfortably bagging 23f handicap hurdle at Exeter 32 days ago by 3¼ lengths. Up 5 lb but one to consider given he could have more to offer.

Form: 2/1P-341

Glimpse Of Gala^p1⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 137| D

40/1

Likeable mare who scored at Kempton (24.5f) over Christmas and she again proved tenacious when following up at Warwick (25f). Further 5 lb rise demands another big career best, though. Cheekpieces on first time.

Form: 7-32211

Bear Ghylls^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: J E Moore| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 136

25/1

Had a fine season as a novice hurdler in 2020/21, winning 3 times. Off 20 months before failing to take to fences but he got back on track in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when fourth of 15 to Thanksforthehelp in 3m handicap hurdle at Chepstow 19 days ago. No forlorn hope off a 3 lb lower mark.

Form: 14/3744

Hector Javilex^t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 134| CD

14/1

Largely progressive type who bagged C&D handicap before posting good fourth to Itchy Feet at Huntingdon (25f) later in January. Still lightly raced so may do better still.

Form: 11-5414

The Changing Man²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 128| BF

18/1

Completed a handicap hat-trick when easily scoring at Uttoxeter (23f) in November and has progressed further in filling the runner-up spot all 3 starts since, staying on after final-flight error at Haydock last time. Can go well again.

Form: 1-11222

Thanksforthehelp^p,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Mark Walsh| T: D Pipe| OR: 128| BF| D

10/3

Had wind op and cheekpieces on when much improved to get off the mark in 3m handicap hurdle at Chepstow 19 days ago, coming home hard held. Hit with 11 lb rise in the weights but he's still low mileage and rates a big player with more to offer.

Form: 322-341

Level Neverending^b1⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 126

28/1

Unreliable type who turned in one of his better efforts when third to Glimpse of Gala in handicap at Warwick (25f) in January. First-time blinkers replace cheekpieces. Yard has stronger claims elsewhere.

Form: 4-13423

Burrows Park³²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Ned Fox⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 126| D

100/1

Returned to winning ways in 23f handicap hurdle at Exeter and not disgraced off a 6 lb higher mark when in the frame at Plumpton and Exeter since. Plenty more needed here.

Form: 1-72134

Risk And Roll^p³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 125

150/1

Temperamental sort but not disgraced when sixth of 12 in 3m handicap chase at Uttoxeter 33 days ago. Back hurdling with more required though if he's to gain a first win of the season. Has cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 53-2386

Moka De Vassy^p³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 125

16/1

Fairly useful hurdler who arrives in good nick, cheekpieces on when third of 7 to Walking On Air on his handicap debut at Exeter last month. Has few miles on the clock but this is a whole different test.

Form: 325-P53

Takarengo^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 124

66/1

Winless since 2021 and arrives below par too, tried blinkered when eighth in handicap at Fairyhouse (2½m) 19 days ago. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 472658

Brandy Mcqueen²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 121| D

80/1

Has thrived in staying handicaps this term, gaining fourth success at Musselburgh in February. Rare poor effort when only seventh at Haydock last time but this likeable type can bounce back if jumping better.

Form: 222117

Non-Runners

Jet Of Magic²⁶

Weight: 10-10| Age: 7

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Thanksforthehelp (10/3), Maxxum (9/2), Good Time Jonny (9/1), Walking On Air (9/1), Salvador Ziggy (10/1), An Tailliur (10/1), Hector Javilex (14/1), Moka De Vassy (16/1), The Changing Man (18/1), The Bosses Oscar (18/1), Mill Green (22/1), Captain Morgs (22/1), Bear Ghylls (25/1), Jet Of Magic (25/1), Level Neverending (28/1), Coltor (28/1), Wakool (33/1), Green Book (40/1), Itchy Feet (40/1), Glimpse Of Gala (40/1), Takarengo (66/1), Brandy Mcqueen (80/1), Burrows Park (100/1), Risk And Roll (150/1)

Gordon Elliott has his usual strong hand, with MAXXUM taken to provide him with a fourth win since 2018. This 6-y-o looked firmly on the up with 2 wins at the end of last year and it's easy to forgive his latest run at Leopardstown as he was badly hampered on the home turn. Thanksforthehelp scored with any amount in hand at Chepstow on his recent return after wind surgery and rates a major threat. The Bosses Oscar, runner-up in 2021, and Walking On Air complete the shortlist.