13:30 Cheltenham

Wednesday 17 April 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Citipost Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 3.23s

Diamond Ri⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 129

13/2

Easy winner only start in bumpers and confirmed hurdles debut promise when taking a Warwick maiden (19f, soft) in January, running green but well on top finish. Didn't jump well enough when last of 4 in listed company a month later but suspicion he can do better still.

Form: 1-214

Peaky Boy¹⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| CD

5/6

Made a good start in bumpers for Michael Scudamore in autumn 2022 and again strong in the betting when making a successful start over hurdles for new yard after wind op over C&D on New Year's Day, keeping on well from a dual subsequent winner. Lots to like with prospect of more to come.

Form: 1/21-1

Leader In The Park⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 121

3/1

Cost £250,000 from points and, well backed, he confirmed himself a very good prospect when ready winner of a Doncaster maiden (19.4f, heavy) in February. Yard continue in good form and another who appeals as the type to do better still.

Form: 1-261

Leading Choice³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 118| D

16/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who made light of a 15-month absence to bag 7-runner novice hurdle at Wetherby (19.7f, heavy) in February. Similar form when third at Uttoxeter (19.9f) since and whilst he boasts a likeable record, he may lack the potential of one or two here.

Form: 15/32-13

Shy Love³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien

12/1

Showed ability only start in bumpers and looked potentially useful when making winning start over hurdles at Huntingdon (20.6f, soft) last month. Comes from an excellent family and he looks sure to win more races.

Form: 3-51

Minella Rescue⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: G Hanmer

40/1

Dual bumper winner who made an encouraging start over hurdles when fourth in Doncaster maiden (19.4f) back in January, closing when mistake 3 out. Rates a likely improver with that under his belt but he'll likely find easier openings than this moving forward.

Form: 3-31184

Roger³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson

20/1

Failed to set the world alight in 3 starts on the Flat in Slovakia last year but he was a runaway winner on hurdles debut for new connections at Stratford (19f, heavy) last month. This is tougher but he's something of an unknown quantity and receives weight all round.

Form: 1

Non-Runners

Encanto Bruno¹¹²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: G P Cromwell J: Keith Donoghue

Myretown³⁸

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Peaky Boy (5/6), Encanto Bruno (2/1), Leader In The Park (3/1), Diamond Ri (13/2), Myretown (10/1), Shy Love (12/1), Leading Choice (16/1), Roger (20/1), Minella Rescue (40/1)

PEAKY BOY was evidently well-regarded in bumpers and, again well backed, marked himself down as a potentially useful hurdler when running out a comfortable winner of a C&D novice on return/debut for Nicky Henderson on New Year's Day. Defeating a dual subsequent winner then, he looks sure to progress further and earns the vote. The pick of Irish raider Encanto Bruno's form gives him claims and he's feared, with Myretown and Shy Love a couple of others to consider.