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Cheltenham

Friday, December 13, 2024HurdleClass 32m

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.

  • To Chase A Dream
  • Valgrand
  • Willmount
2m1f Hcap Hrd
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 3 places
  • 1. Valgrand
    J: Harry SkeltonT: Dan Skelton
    F: 24-1112
    Price History:
    3.75
    Age:
    5
    Weight:
    12-0
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    139
    Days Since Last Run:
    28
    Verdict
    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.
  • 5. Willmount
    J: Nico de BoinvilleT: Nicky Henderson
    F: 11/1P-
    Price History:
    5.00
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    11-5
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    130
    Days Since Last Run:
    349
    Verdict
    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.
  • 10. Wreckless Eric
    J: Kielan WoodsT: Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill
    F: 211-F1
    Price History:
    6.50
    Age:
    4
    Weight:
    11-0
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    125
    Days Since Last Run:
    28
    Verdict
    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.
  • 6. To Chase A Dream
    J: Harry CobdenT: Paul Collins
    F: 22221-11
    Price History:
    7.50
    Age:
    5
    Weight:
    11-2
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    127
    Days Since Last Run:
    12
    Verdict
    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.
  • 15. Cavern Club
    J: Sean BowenT: James Owen
    F: 1242
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    4
    Weight:
    10-3
    Gear:
    cheekpieces
    Official Rating:
    114
    Days Since Last Run:
    28
    Verdict
    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.
  • 12. Mirabad
    J: Luke ScottT: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole
    F: 41-2213
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    5
    Weight:
    10-9
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    120
    Days Since Last Run:
    21
    Verdict
    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.
  • 8. Tintintin
    J: Jonathan BurkeT: Fergal O'Brien
    F: 01511-354
    Price History:
    17.00
    Age:
    5
    Weight:
    11-1
    Gear:
    tongue strap
    Official Rating:
    126
    Days Since Last Run:
    26
    Verdict
    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.
  • 7. Media Naranja
    J: Carl MillarT: Gordon Elliott, Ireland
    F: 0-4325643
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    5
    Weight:
    11-1
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    126
    Days Since Last Run:
    12
    Verdict
    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.
  • 4. Anyharminasking
    J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.T: Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill
    F: 4/29245-34
    Price History:
    15.00
    Age:
    7
    Weight:
    11-8
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    133
    Days Since Last Run:
    13
    Verdict
    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.
  • 9. Spirits Bay
    J: Jordan NailorT: Nigel Twiston-Davies
    F: 131/2F115-
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    11-1
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    126
    Days Since Last Run:
    265
    Verdict
    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.
  • 2. Bo Zenith
    J: James BowenT: Nicky Henderson
    F: 3112/
    Price History:
    15.00
    Age:
    5
    Weight:
    11-10
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    135
    Days Since Last Run:
    610
    Verdict
    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.
  • 11. Balboa
    J: Micheal NolanT: Seamus Mullins
    F: 223P42-25
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    4
    Weight:
    10-9
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    120
    Days Since Last Run:
    48
    Verdict
    Fair maiden on Flat who opened account in juvenile hurdle at Chepstow last autumn. Ended the last campaign and started the current with good runner-up efforts in competitive 2m handicaps and he wasn't disgraced in the face of a stiff task in a conditions race here since.
  • 3. Joyeux Machin
    J: Harry AtkinsT: Dan Skelton
    F: 4122PF-P7
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    7
    Weight:
    11-10
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    135
    Days Since Last Run:
    83
    Verdict
    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.
  • 14. Lively Citizen
    J: Daire McConvilleT: D. J. Jeffreys
    F: 4F27146-P
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    9
    Weight:
    10-6
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    117
    Days Since Last Run:
    20
    Verdict
    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.
  • 13. Magic Seven
    J: Richie McLernonT: Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill
    F: 1FP-07513
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    10-7
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    118
    Days Since Last Run:
    20
    Verdict
    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.
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