13:50 Cheltenham

Saturday 28 October 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Masterson Holdings Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 4m 1.64s

Blueking D'oroux¹⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| D

5/2

Well and truly turned a corner on back of a wind op during the spring, landing a juvenile handicap at Ascot prior to a fine second in 20-runner Aintree handicap (16.5f) in April. Looks one to keep on side this season now he's back on track.

Form: 2/4P912-

Bois Guillbert²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 121| D

4/1

Lightly-raced gelding who picked up where he left off returning from 6 months off when landing 7-runner Kelso handicap hurdle 3 weeks ago, that despite still looking rough around the edges. Very much the type to go on improving for his good yard.

Form: 6113-1

Bojak^h1¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 125

40/1

Fair Flat winner (stays 9f) and much improved on third hurdles start when landing 18-runner Cork maiden (16.9f) in July. Respectable second in French 4-y-o hurdle for new yard 12 days ago but suspicion he'll find a few too good here. Hood on 1st time.

Form: 35102

Chaos Control^p⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 120

10/1

Fairly useful handicapper on Flat who struck at the third time of asking over hurdles in a Market Rasen juvenile (16.5f) in February. Not disgraced in handicaps in recent months but likely he lacks the potential of one or two in this field.

Form: 616-733

Jilaijone^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 118| BF

10/1

Fair ex-French hurdler who scored on yard debut at Fontwell (17.7f) last winter and hard to knock his efforts in defeat since, good second with race fitness on his side at Chepstow (2m, heavy) 2 weeks ago. However, expected to find at least a couple too good here.

Form: 2452-22

Mr Mackay¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 113

18/1

In-the-frame on 3 of his 4 starts in bumpers and confirmed reappearance/hurdles debut promise when landing 6-runner Huntingdon maiden (19.6f) earlier this month. Much more on his plate now upped in class but highly likely there's more to come.

Form: 2435-31

Spirit D'aunou¹⁹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129| D

7/4

Promise when second on hurdles bow this time last year and most progressive thereafter, completing 4-timer in fine style at Chepstow (2m) in April. Highly likely there's more to come on the back of just 5 career starts and he's well worthy of respect.

Form: 21111-

Non-Runners

Punta Del Este²⁰⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 4

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Spirit D'aunou (7/4), Blueking D'oroux (5/2), Bois Guillbert (4/1), Punta Del Este (8/1), Jilaijone (10/1), Chaos Control (10/1), Mr Mackay (18/1), Bojak (40/1)

BLUEKING D'OROUX well and truly turned a corner following wind surgery during the spring, successful on handicap debut at Ascot prior to running a fine race to finish runner-up in a big-field Aintree handicap on his final outing. Worth keeping on side this term, he earns the vote to come out on top, with the rapidly improving Spirit d'Aunou heading the dangers. Punta del Este and Bois Guillbert can do battle for a minor role.