15:30 Cheltenham

Saturday 18 November 2023

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:05

Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 5m 35.15s

Springwell Bay²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 137

85/40

Smart bumper performer in 2021 and useful novice hurdler last season, winning 3 times. A Grade 1 proved a step too far on final start but he remains one who can go on to better things in handicaps this time round.

Form: 1/13116-

Rock My Way²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: James Best| T: S Hosie| OR: 133| C

11/1

Winning Irish pointer who landed a 2½m course Grade 2 novice hurdle in January but hasn't come close to reproducing that form in 3 subsequent outings here, fading to finish well held in 3m handicap on reappearance 3 weeks ago. Back down in trip.

Form: 121P9-0

Resplendent Grey^h³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: O Murphy| OR: 127

10/3

Looked a good prospect in bumpers and won first 2 starts over hurdles in the spring. Advanced his form again when 9½ lengths second of 7 to Captain Teague in Grade 2 Persian War on Chepstow reappearance and there's likely more to come now switching to a handicap.

Form: 1311-2

Another Choice^p1,t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: James Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 124

14/1

This Irish raider ran right up to his best when 6 lengths fourth of 19 in 23f Punchestown handicap last month. Has first-time cheekpieces added to his regular tongue tie on this first trip to Britain.

Form: 3-P04P4

Gyenyame²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 120

4/1

Fair 2m Flat winner for Andrew Balding and struck at the third time of asking over hurdles in 2½m Wincanton maiden in March. Good reappearance second of 12 in a 21f handicap at the same course 3 weeks ago. Merits consideration for a yard going well.

Form: U314-2

Fortunefavorsdbold²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 117

80/1

3m maiden hurdle winner for Paul Nolan in Ireland last season. Let down by jumping switched to fences on her recent yard debut and quickly reverts to the smaller obstacles. Others more obvious.

Form: 6F310-F

Tiger Jet¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: H Cobden| T: B Ellison| OR: 115

22/1

Career best when winning 15-runner 3m Haydock handicap in April but has struggled since, including pulling up on his recent return from a break at Wetherby. Needs to leave that well behind.

Form: 761-68P

Londonofficecallin^t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: C P McNamara| T: E McNamara| OR: 108

8/1

Has thrived lately, gaining a fourth win since June (2 of them on Flat) when seeing off 14 rivals in a 23f Killarney handicap at the beginning of October. 3 lb out of the handicap here, though, and will need a big career best if he's to add to his haul.

Form: 30P-611

Wonderful Eagle²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 108| BF

11/1

Fairly useful Flat winner in Germany. Kicked off his hurdle career with maiden/novice wins at Newton Abbot at the end of summer. Lost his unbeaten record but ran well again when third in 21.5f handicap there 4 weeks ago. 4 lb out of the weights.

Form: 113

Forecasts

Springwell Bay (85/40), Resplendent Grey (10/3), Gyenyame (4/1), Londonofficecallin (8/1), Wonderful Eagle (11/1), Rock My Way (11/1), Another Choice (14/1), Tiger Jet (22/1), Fortunefavorsdbold (80/1)

RESPLENDENT GREY and Springwell Bay both appeal as having more to offer now moving into handicap company. The former, an excellent second in the Persian War last month, may have a fitness edge on Jonjo O'Neill's reappearing 6-y-o and that swings the vote his way. Gyenyame is also respected on the back of his fine seasonal return at Wincanton last month.