13:15 Cheltenham

Friday 15 December 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:17 | Winning time: 4m 7.16s

Thecompanysergeant³³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Donagh Meyler| T: D Hogan| OR: 134| BF

20/1

Dual hurdler winner. Useful form when fourth of 17 in a Listowel listed handicap in September but in nothing like the same form when down the field in a similar race at Naas last month. A smart effort will be needed under top weight here.

Form: 12-P140

Doddiethegreat²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 131

13/2

Made light of a 2-year absence when extending his unbeaten record under Rules to 4 in small-field Ascot conditions race (2m, good) 3 weeks ago. This bigger-field scenario asks a different question but he has lots of potential.

Form: 111/1

Williethebuilder⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125

9/2

Shaped encouragingly in 2 bumpers for Declan Queally in Ireland in the spring. Built on that promise when making a successful hurdle/stable debut at Uttoxeter in September and better form when fourth in Grade 2 novice here 38 days later. Interesting making a quick switch to handicaps.

Form: 352-14

Go Dante^p,t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 125| D

7/2

Lightly raced 7-y-o who shaped as if retaining all his ability when sixth of 15 in the Greatwood here on his reappearance after wind surgery. Claims if he can build on that.

Form: 4/5418-6

Kaleb³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 124

18/1

Novice season tailed off quite badly but right back on song when runner-up in 2m handicaps at Plumpton and Sandown this season. Ought to be competitive again.

Form: 2U07-22

Ginger Mail^v1⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 122| BF| D

16/1

Largely consistent type who would have made a winning reappearance at Ayr last month but for a mistake at the last, going down by only a neck. First-time visor replaces cheekpieces.

Form: 3522P-2

Skytastic²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 121| D

33/1

Looked useful when winning first 4 starts ( 2 bumpers, 2 hurdles) but lost his way for Sam Thomas subsequently and well held in course handicap on last month's return for a new stable.

Form: 10/4P4-0

In This World¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 120

40/1

Looked promising when winning on Flat and over hurdles in 2021 but seen the track only 3 times since. Might be sharper for last month's Kempton reappearance but Williethebuilder looks the stronger of the yard's pair.

Form: 1/3P-6

Panjari^h²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117

17/2

Useful on Flat (stays 1½m) in Germany and has improved with each start in novice hurdles this autumn, winning at Taunton (16.5f) last month. In top hands and that Flat ability provides plenty of scope for further progress now handicapping.

Form: 521

Donnacha²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 117

5/1

Placed both starts in bumpers and going the right way over hurdles, making it third time lucky when shading tight finish in 2m Chepstow novice on reappearance. Good start to his handicap career when second of 17 here last month. On the shortlist.

Form: 3343-12

Mr Mackay²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 113

12/1

In-the-frame on 3 of his 4 starts in bumpers and confirmed reappearance/hurdle debut promise when landing 6-runner Huntingdon maiden (19.5f). Improved on handicap bow when fourth of 17 here 4 weeks ago. Needs considering.

Form: 35-3154

Wonderful Eagle^p²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 112

10/1

Fairly useful Flat winner in Germany. Kicked off his hurdle career with maiden/novice wins at Newton Abbot at the end of summer and has shown better form in defeat in handicap company since, finishing fourth of 9 over 21f here on latest. Down in trip with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 1134

Non-Runners

Lebowski¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Non Runner

Jagwar⁴⁷

Weight: 10-13| Age: 4

T: O Greenall & J Guerriero J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Go Dante (7/2), Williethebuilder (9/2), Donnacha (5/1), Doddiethegreat (13/2), Jagwar (13/2), Panjari (17/2), Wonderful Eagle (10/1), Mr Mackay (12/1), Lebowski (14/1), Ginger Mail (16/1), Kaleb (18/1), Thecompanysergeant (20/1), Skytastic (33/1), In This World (40/1)

A cracking handicap in which it may pay to focus on the least exposed runners. PANJARI could be underestimated by an opening hurdle mark of 117 judged on Flat ability and gets the nod for Paul Nicholls. The promising Doddiethegreat seems unlikely to give up his unbeaten record without a fight and is second choice ahead of Williethebuilder and Donnacha.