13:15 Cheltenham

Friday 13 December 2024

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 4m 5.17s

Valgrand²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139| BF| C

9/2

Useful in bumpers and won first 3 starts over hurdles, including a Grade 2 novice over C&D in October. Lost his unbeaten hurdle record when unable to live with Potters Charm in a 21f Grade 2 back here last month but still much respected back down in trip for handicap debut.

Form: 24-1112

Bo Zenith⁶¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135

7/1

Promising juvenile hurdler for Gary Moore in 2023, winning twice and second in Grade 1 at Aintree final start. Has a very long absence to overcome but still has time on his side and it'll be interesting to see how he goes in the market on this first outing for Nicky Henderson.

Form: 13112/

Joyeux Machin⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

40/1

Useful hurdler and chaser at his best for Paul Nolan in Ireland but has struggled in varied events in 2024. Has joined the right yard to revitalise him but Valgrand has to be considered the stable's first string unless the betting strongly hints otherwise.

Form: 22PFP-7

Anyharminasking¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133| D

18/1

Useful hurdler who was a creditable third of 13 over 2½m here on his reappearance but went backwards from that when a remote fourth at Newbury (2½m again) since. Back down in trip.

Form: 9245-34

Willmount³⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130| D

17/2

Expensive winning pointer who created a good impression when winning his first 3 starts under Rules. Pulled up when sent off at 9/4 for the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury last December. Retains plenty of potential on his return and market confidence would look significant.

Form: 111/1P-

To Chase A Dream¹²^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: Paul Collins| OR: 120| D

7/1

Yet to finish out of the first 2 in 8 starts over hurdles. Winner of a pair of 17f Carlisle handicaps this season, latterly by a comfortable 6½ lengths. This is undoubtedly a stronger race but he's 3 lb well-in compared to his future mark under a 7 lb penalty.

Form: 2221-11

Media Naranja¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Carl Millar⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 126

18/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2023 but he has run creditable to reach the frame in handicap hurdles at Navan and Fairyhouse in recent weeks. Top Irish stable's runners always respected.

Form: 325643

Tintintin^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 126| CD

11/2

Made good strides forward last season, typically proving strong at the finish to land a big-field handicap over C&D in April. Back to his best when 7 lengths fourth in a strong renewal of the Greatwood here last month and should give another good account.

Form: 511-354

Spirits Bay²⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| D

25/1

Useful dual bumper winner who took well to hurdling last season, winning novice and handicap over 17f at Exeter. Shaped like a non-stayer when fifth over 19f at Newbury final start and drops back in trip for reappearance.

Form: 1/2F115-

Wreckless Eric²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125| C

4/1

Confirmed the promise of his reappearance when winning a competitive 2m handicap here last month by a length from the reopposing Cavern Club. Plenty to like about the way he came through have still been well back off the home turn and an 8 lb rise shouldn't prevent another good run.

Form: 211-F1

Mirabad²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 120

10/1

Fairly useful on Flat in France and he has scored twice over hurdles for his current handler, easily bagging 2m Hereford novice last month. Creditable third of 9 on 2m Ascot handicap debut since, every chance until mistake last.

Form: 41-2213

Magic Seven²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 118| D

100/1

Capitalised on a falling mark in 10-runner handicap hurdle at Exeter (17f, good, 10/1) in November. Respectable third of 9 at Huntingdon since but this looks a much stronger race.

Form: P-07513

Lively Citizen²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 117| CD

125/1

Won this in 2021 and showed he's still quite useful when scoring in the mud at Ffos Las last spring. Offered little on last month's Haydock reappearance, though, and likely vulnerable to younger legs in this strong race.

Form: 27146-P

Cavern Club^p²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: S Bowen| T: James Owen| OR: 114| D

14/1

A fairly useful Flat winner who made a successful start over hurdles at Cartmel (17f) in July. Advanced his form in cheekpieces when length second of 15 to Wreckless Eric in 2m course handicap last month. Raised another 5 lb but further progress can't be discounted.

Form: 1242

Non-Runners

Balboa⁴⁸

Weight: 10-9| Age: 4

T: J W Mullins J: M G Nolan

Forecasts

Wreckless Eric (4/1), Valgrand (9/2), Tintintin (11/2), Bo Zenith (7/1), To Chase A Dream (7/1), Willmount (17/2), Mirabad (10/1), Cavern Club (14/1), Media Naranja (18/1), Anyharminasking (18/1), Spirits Bay (25/1), Balboa (33/1), Joyeux Machin (40/1), Magic Seven (100/1), Lively Citizen (125/1)

A really strong handicap. TO CHASE A DREAM had seconditis at the start of his hurdle career but has now discovered the winning habit and a 7 lb penalty for his recent Carlisle success may not prevent him making it 4 in a row. Valgrand, a C&D Grade 2 novice winner this autumn, heads the many dangers ahead of Willmount, a fascinating handicap newcomer from the Henderson yard, and Greatwood-fourth Tintintin.