17:30 Cheltenham
Friday 15 March 2024
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
- 4YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 4f 56y | Heavy | 21 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 17:32 | Winning time: 5m 21.43s
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Doubled his tally over hurdles at Down Royal in November. Probably still in form following a 9-week break when twelfth in a big-field handicap at Leopardstown (16f, soft) last month and that should have at least blown away any cobwebs.
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Good third in Galway Plate back in August but well below that level on all 3 subsequent starts (running poorly when unseating at Leopardstown last month). Needs this switch to hurdling to spark some sort of revival.
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Three wins last season and built on good in-frame efforts in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow and Greatwood at Cheltenham in autumn when scoring at Aintree in December. Disappointed (and looked less than resolute off the bridle) in the Lanzarote last time but hopefully that was just a one-off.
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Has been brought along gradually this season and very much caught the eye when third at Kempton (21f, soft) last month, ridden as though there's other races in mind. Finished a fine second in this corresponding event last year, but stable form is a major worry this time.
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Fourth on second start in France for Y. Fouin and looked a smart stayer in the making when winning big-field maiden at Naas on his Irish debut (after 13 months off). Made to work hard when following up at Clonmel (16.5f, heavy) last time and he remains unexposed sent handicapping upped in trip.
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Completed a simple task when getting off the mark over hurdles at Fairyhouse in November and showed improved form in defeat in stronger company on next 2 starts, conceding 15 lb to Asian Master (fourth in Supreme) when runner-up at Navan in January. Folly to discount on handicap debut.
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Sprang a 33/1 surprise back hurdling for the first time in nearly 2 years when taking the competitive Lanzarote at Kempton in January. That effort possibly left a mark as he finished well held at Ascot 5 weeks later and this is an even tougher assignment.
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Doubled his tally at Punchestown in November and has made a good start to life in handicaps, improving further upped another 4f in trip when third of 22 to Maxxum at Leopardstown (24.3f, soft) last month. 1 of 7 for this yard.
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Made the most of a return to a lower grade when doubling his tally over hurdles at Naas (19.1f, heavy) last month. Lightly raced for his age, he could have more to offer now stepping into handicap company for the first time.
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Improved plenty from his hurdling debut to overcome the step up in class when landing Grade 3 at Navan in November and has run well on both subsequent starts, albeit unable to justify short odds at Gowran last time. Step up in trip promises to suit, so plenty to like on handicap bow.
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Jumping has proved an issue in pair of outings over fences this term but more like it back hurdling the last twice, needing the emphasis a bit less on stamina when fifth at Exeter (23.1f, heavy) last month. This a completely different kettle of fish, however.
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Bolted up on his second handicap start at Clonmel (by 31 lengths) in November but not in anything like the same form at Punchestown later that month. Likely to strip fitter for his Naas effort (22.7f, heavy) last month and is 1 for 7 for the Gordon Elliott battalion.
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Off the mark at the second attempt after 7 months off at Galway in October and took a big step forward when following up at Fairyhouse in December, well suited by increase in trip. Improved further when runner-up on handicap bow at Leopardstown later that month and capable of better still.
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Much improved once sent handicapping for Gabriel Leenders in France and bagged 2m2f handicap at Auteuil in June. Failed to live up to his billing making his first start outside France at Newbury last month (took a while to be reshod at start) so it would be unwise to overlook him here.
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Dual hurdles winner this season but wasn't seen to best effect on handicap debut when tenth of 22 at Leopardstown (24.3f, soft) last month. Big outsider once again.
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Has seemingly reached her limit in form terms, no match for her stablemate when 15¾ lengths third of 6 to Brighterdaysahead in listed hurdle at Navan (21f, heavy) last month. More required on her second handicap start.
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Four-time 2m Hexham winner who showed he can do it at other venues when winning 2½m Aintree handicap (heavy) on Boxing Day reappearance. Came up short bidding for a 4-timer at Kelso earlier this month and unlikely to be troubling the judge in this company.
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Has hit the target 3 times this season but seemingly shaping up for when the ground dries up judged on recent efforts at Navan/Punchestown. Easy enough to look elsewhere with that in mind.
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Took well to hurdling for this yard last season and improved again to win 2m Chepstow handicap on reappearance in October. Ran creditably after 5 months off when third at Newbury earlier this month but perhaps found the Imperial Cup at Sandown (16f, soft) too competitive 6 days ago.
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One-time very smart hurdler for Henry de Bromhead but little impact for current yard, failing to build on the glimmer of promise he showed at Haydock when down the field at Newcastle (16.9f, soft) just under 3 weeks ago. Best watched back up in trip.
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Evidently not been the easiest to train but he seemed on the improve when landing a Newbury handicap and Kempton novice late last season. Took a step back in the right direction with chasing seemingly aborted at Kelso earlier this month but yard form makes him tough to recommend.
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Non-Runners
16
Teddy Blue27
Weight: 10-12| Age: 6
T: G & J Moore J: N F Houlihan
NR
20
Thanksforthehelp20
Weight: 10-6| Age: 7
T: D Pipe J: M M McDonagh
NR
Forecasts
Waterford Whispers (10/3), Quai De Bourbon (4/1), Better Days Ahead (5/1), Ocastle Des Mottes (7/1), Answer To Kayf (10/1), What's Up Darling (10/1), Yeats Star (14/1), No Ordinary Joe (16/1), Thanksforthehelp (16/1), Sonigino (16/1), Mel Monroe (18/1), Angels Breath (28/1), Jay Jay Reilly (28/1), Sequestered (33/1), Teddy Blue (33/1), Hollow Games (50/1), Bingoo (50/1), Jason The Militant (66/1), Magic Tricks (66/1), Shared (66/1), Russian Ruler (80/1), Stuzzikini (100/1), Fiveonefive (125/1)
Henry de Bromhead kicked off the Festival in style on Tuesday and he can bring down the curtain with WATERFORD WHISPERS, who is improving in leaps and bounds and can have his runner-up effort at Leopardstown over Christmas upgraded given the race wasn't run to suit. Quai de Bourbon is 2-2 for Willie Mullins and he can provide most resistance now handicapping, with last year's runner-up No Ordinary Joe rounding off the shortlist despite his yard's much publicised exasperating week.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £39,022.002nd: £17,940.003rd: £8,970.004th: £4,485.005th: £2,242.006th: £1,118.00
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