13:10 Cheltenham

Friday 17 November 2023

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:05

Lycetts Insurance Brokers Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:11 | Winning time: 5m 24.06s

Uncle Bert³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Turner⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 125| BF

7/2

Resumed with victory in 2m4f Perth handicap in September but he failed to back it up when fourth at Chepstow following month. Remains low mileage so not written off yet.

Form: 241P-14

Skytastic²³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Beau Morgan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 124

22/1

Useful form when winning a brace of 2m3f novice hurdles in early 2022. Failed to show much in three runs over fences last season though for Sam Thomas but returns over hurdles here off a lenient mark if the yard switch sparks a resurgence.

Form: 110/4P4-

Doughmore Bay³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Joe Anderson| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 124| BF

13/2

Made a winning start under Rules in a 2½m Worcester novice in May and backed it up with a good second of 7 in novice there (23f, soft) 36 days ago. Much respected now going into handicaps.

Form: F-12

American Sniper^p,t1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Pipe| OR: 122

16/1

Won his first 2 completed starts over hurdles last season but failed to build on his return when tenth of 20 in handicap hurdle here (24f, soft) 20 days ago. Tongue strap on for 1st time now and cheekpieces also go back on.

Form: P263-70

Skradin¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie O'Dwyer⁽³⁾| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 121| D

33/1

Easily got off the mark in 2m4f novice hurdle at Fairyhouse in October before backing it up with a solid sixth on handicap debut at Cork 12 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 2-42416

Prince Zaltar^t¹¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: P J O'Hanlon| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 121

40/1

Resumed with a win in 2m4f Killarney handicap and in good form since, fourth of 11 there last time. Can give another good account after a break.

Form: 412-154

Off To A Flyer²¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 120

17/2

Got back on the up with a maiden success in 13-runner handicap hurdle at Ayr (24.3f, good) in April. Looks to have more to offer so he can make his presence felt on his seasonal return.

Form: 5/632P1-

Takarengo^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J B Foley| T: T Mullins| OR: 120

33/1

It's now seventeen runs since his last win in 2021 but he arrives in good nick, third of 8 in handicap chase at this C&D (soft) 48 days ago. Very much one to consider at these weights back hurdling.

Form: 235633

Whatsupwithyou^p,t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Liam Harrison| T: B Pauling| OR: 119

28/1

Scored at Uttoxeter in early 2022 and not disgraced after 5 months off when a fading fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Kempton (21f, good) 26 days ago. Can build on that so he's a likely contender.

Form: 5224-34

Pinnacle Peak^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Atkins⁽¹⁰⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 118| C

11/1

Completed a hat-trick in summer 2021 and back in fine form of late, making it 2-3 this season in 16-runner handicap hurdle here (19.9f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Not taken lightly despite a 6 lb rise.

Form: P63-141

White Rhino²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 118

13/2

Much improved when sent handicapping last season and he resumed his progress on his return with an emphatic success in 10-runner handicap hurdle at Carlisle (20f, soft) 29 days ago. Hiked up 9 lb but he's a player.

Form: 01112-1

Fathom Two^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Patrick M O'Brien⁽⁸⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 117| BF

8/1

Irish challenger who arrives on the up, getting off the mark in Downpatrick maiden in September before excellent third on his handicap bow at Downpatrick (17.8f, soft) 42 days ago. Has more to offer. Interesting.

Form: 327313

Arabian King^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Gilligan| T: C Collins| OR: 117

22/1

Better than ever when adding to his tally on the Flat at Listowel (14.2f) this summer and backed it up with a good fifth of 16 to Pinnacle Peak in handicap hurdle here (19.9f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 65-6875

Son Of The Somme^b¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Lewis Dobb⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 117| D

50/1

A fairly useful hurdles/chase winner at his best who took a step back in the right direction when third in 3m Ayr handicap last time. Blinkers need to work the oracle once more.

Form: 3316-P3

High Stakes²⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Lily Pinchin| T: W Greatrex| OR: 117

33/1

Point/hurdle winner who had a wind op before posting a good third in handicap chase at Catterick (25.2f) in November. Has twice failed to build on that since so he's probably worth taking on on his return.

Form: 138357-

Knockanore^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ned Fox| T: R Potter| OR: 117

22/1

A dual hurdles winner last term and he resumed with a good third of 8 in handicap hurdle at Aintree (20f, soft 19 days ago. One for the shorlist with few miles still on the clock.

Form: 1P371-3

Gentle And Kind⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Mike O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 116| D

8/1

Evens, confirmed his debut promise when landing 12-runner novice hurdle at Tramore (21.4f, good to soft) 89 days ago. This is tougher but he has more to offer now going into handicaps. Not discounted for top Irish yard.

Form: 31/21

Foillan³⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Daniel King| T: P Neville| OR: 116

100/1

Gained his third hurdling success at Haydock (24.2f) in February. Failed to complete on both his runs over fences this term but has shown he retains plenty of ability so can't be dismissed reverted to this sphere.

Form: 5171/PF-

Hauraki Gulf²⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Chris Ward| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 116| BF

28/1

Bumper winner who has found just one too good on 5 of his half-a-dozen starts over hurdles, including when upped to 25f in novice at Warwick final run. Goes into handicaps now and he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 42/222-2

Paricolor^b,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁸⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 115| D

20/1

Multiple hurdles winner during 2021 and back to his best when runner-up at Chepstow (3m) in December. Below best of late though and had a wind op before only sixth on the Flat last time.

Form: P3256P-

Result Amended

Pinnacle Peak - Original Position 5th. Amended Position 4th.

High Stakes - Original Position 4th. Amended Position 5th.

Forecasts

Uncle Bert (7/2), White Rhino (13/2), Doughmore Bay (13/2), Gentle And Kind (8/1), Fathom Two (8/1), Off To A Flyer (17/2), Pinnacle Peak (11/1), American Sniper (16/1), Paricolor (20/1), Arabian King (22/1), Skytastic (22/1), Knockanore (22/1), Whatsupwithyou (28/1), Hauraki Gulf (28/1), High Stakes (33/1), Takarengo (33/1), Skradin (33/1), Prince Zaltar (40/1), Son Of The Somme (50/1), Foillan (100/1)

Plenty are in with a shout. Gavin Cromwell's unexposed handicapper FATHOM TWO arrives on the up so he is taken to quickly resume winning ways at the chief expense of another improving sort in White Rhino. Pinnacle Peak also brings solid credentials to the table for the home contingent while Henry de Bromhead's twice raced Gentle And Kind commands plenty of respect. Skytastic completes the shortlist.