Cheltenham Lunch At Western House Hotel Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 6m 48.78s

Briery Butterfly³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: C Gethings| T: H D Daly| OR: 95

9/2

Has returned in fine heart, placing for the third consecutive race when chasing home a handicap blot at Huntingdon last time. Similar performance should be enough to take this.

Form: 654-322

Coylton King²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Callum Bewley| T: I A Duncan| OR: 91

3/1

Only a length down and in the process of running well when unseating at the last over C&D on handicap debut 25 days ago. Entitled to be in the mix if none the worse for that.

Form: 4-88F6U

Kalo Athena^p,t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: James Moffatt| OR: 87| D

4/1

Dual-point winner who backed up her improved Wetherby success when second at Newcastle in January, found out by early keenness/more testing ground late on. Booking of Brian Hughes a significant positive.

Form: 6P5712

L'arme De Bonheur⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 87

8/1

Has shown nothing at long odds over hurdles following a promising bumper debut for previous connections, though marked step up in trip doesn't look out of the question on pedigree, and he's worth a second look in the betting now handicapping.

Form: 2089

Ck O'mara²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 83

11/4

Failed to improve/hinted at temperament on handicap debut at this track latest and longer trip one of a few question marks on that evidence.

Form: 0954

Blue Indigo³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: Gary Rutherford| OR: 79

17/2

Ran his best race to date when creditable third of 9 in handicap hurdle at Newcastle (23.7f, heavy, 25/1) in January. Paid to be handy that day and he could be well-positioned again.

Form: 4P6P83

Forecasts

Ck O'mara (11/4), Coylton King (3/1), Kalo Athena (4/1), Briery Butterfly (9/2), L'arme De Bonheur (8/1), Blue Indigo (17/2)

BRIERY BUTTERFLY bumped into one when attempting to make all at Huntingdon last time and this looks a good opportunity to open her account. Coylton King was still in contention when unseating over C&D last time and should be in the mix again if all is well, while Kalo Athena cannot be ruled out with Brian Hughes taking over.