Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening March 10th Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 3f 207y | 6 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 124| C

Fairly useful bumper winner who made it 3 from 3 over hurdles in 3-runner listed event at Sandown (16f, heavy), probably not seen to best effect with the slow pace and his jumping nearly costing him. Remains open to further improvement and now steps up in trip for his handicap debut.

Form: 13-111

Rafferty's Return^t1³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 121| D

Three-time hurdle winner at up to 21f. Didn't get home upped to 3m even in a race that unfolded only from early in the straight at Ayr (heavy) last month and a first-time tongue tie goes on. Is down to a career-low mark so worth keeping an eye on.

Form: 54-5344

Sizing Pottsie^t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 118

Smart chaser for Jessica Harrington in 2021/22 and, on his first run following another breathing op, he hit the crossbar in a 2m course handicap (heavy) in November. That form hasn't worked out, though, and he's ran poorly on both subsequent starts. Best watched.

Form: 6P9-264

High Stakes⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 116| D

Point/hurdle winner who returned with a fine effort in big-field 21f Cheltenham handicap hurdle in November (solid form). Seemingly stretched by a greater test of stamina at Fontwell (25.8f, soft) on Boxing Day and a return to this trip could see him go very close.

Form: 8357-D3

In d'Or⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 110| BF

€140,000 purchase from France who ran below best when third on yard debut at Fontwell 12 months ago. Well supported but shaped similarly as on stable debut 11 months prior when fifth in novice at Plumpton (20.5f, good to soft) in December and now heads down the handicap route.

Form: 23/3-5

Rock Hurley^t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 108

Won pair of 4-y-o hurdles in France but has been well below that level in 4 starts for current connections, producing a laboured effort after 8 weeks off in handicap at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Handicapper relinquishes his grip but arrives with plenty to prove.

Form: 1140-76

Forecasts

Booster Bob (11/10), In d'Or (10/3), Rafferty's Return (4/1), High Stakes (10/1), Rock Hurley (14/1), Sizing Pottsie (14/1)

Unbeaten hurdler Booster Bob is sure to be popular is his bid for a 4-timer, but he may have to play second fiddle to HIGH STAKES, who seemed stretched by the 3¼m trip at Fontwell on Boxing Day and Warren Greatrex's 10-y-o can confirm the promise of his Cheltenham reappearance at a more suitable distance. In d'Or and Rafferty's Return can battle out third spot.