March 10 / 15.35 Exeter

15.35 Exeter

Good

Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5809.1
  • 2m 0f 161y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 12 D

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won sole start in Irish points and beat a subsequent winner on British/hurdling debut in November; just denied at Leicester the following month and now makes handicap debut off what looks a fair mark; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:35 Exeter

Red Dirt Road

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won sole start in Irish points and beat a subsequent winner on British/hurdling debut in November; just denied at Leicester the following month and now makes handicap debut off what looks a fair mark; shortlisted.

5/2

2nd

4

28th Dec 2022

Heavy

1m 7f 113y

Class 3

12:10 Leicester

Red Dirt Road

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Beat a decent horse in his Irish point (soft) and again in a maiden hurdle at Southwell (2m, good), with the front two clear; has a penalty but clearly talented and going up in distance should suit.

7/4

1st

7

29th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:35 Southwell

Red Dirt Road

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

took keen hold, prominent

100/30

6/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: P-17P2 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Two French hurdle wins and easily the pick of three efforts in Britain when second at Ffos Las a month ago, when seeming to find 2m4f just too far; repeat of that puts him in the reckoning, at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:35 Exeter

Issam

11st 9lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Tom Symonds

in touch with leaders

6/1

2nd

2

9th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:43 Ffos Las

Issam

11st 11lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Tom Symonds

Bumper and dual hurdle winner when trained in France; made fairly encouraging British/handicap debut at Wetherby (2m, good) in November but ought to have coped better with the heavy ground when pulled up at Leicester (1m7f) in December; tries a new trip today.

16/1

Form: 722P13 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Consistent hurdler and followed his game Uttoxeter win with a close third at Warwick (goes well there); remains on a fair mark and should run well but others in this line-up are less exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:35 Exeter

Opening Bid

11st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

led, headed and prominent after 1st, pressed leader from 4th

7/1

3rd

8

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Warwick

Opening Bid

11st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

Runner-up twice in a row over hurdles in the autumn (2m, good/good to soft) and bounced back from chasing flop when winning over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) in December; just 3lb higher today and this C&D winner could be bang there once more.

8/1

1st

9

6th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:25 Uttoxeter

Opening Bid

11st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

Ran poorly in a chase 12 days ago and needs to bounce back quickly from that but was second on consecutive hurdling starts this autumn (2m, good/good to soft) and has good each-way claims if judged on those efforts.

7/1

Form: 411-2P D BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
His Wincanton second in December reads very well but problems at Southwell the following month (2m4f+), when he lost his action; best forgiven that mishap and the earlier effort makes him very interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:35 Exeter

Shallow River

12st 0lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

9/2

1

29th Jan 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:10 Southwell

Shallow River

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Looked a nice prospect in winning his bumper and Huntingdon novice event a year ago (2m, good to soft); certainly no backward step when runner-up to an odds-on Irish raider (since purchased by JP McManus) at Wincanton and even better can be expected of him now he's sent beyond 2m for first time.

Evs

2nd

7

1st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 3

14:55 Wincanton

Shallow River

11st 7lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bumper winner who made a successful start over hurdles at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) in January; first run since and pitched into handicap company but looks a nice prospect and warrants respect.

11/2

Form: 531324

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Four creditable efforts since arriving in Britain; close second at Hereford on handicap debut and not disgraced at Sandown last month; may need a shade more to win this but entitled to consideration.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 3

13:15 Sandown

Jilaijone

12st 0lb

J: Philip Armson

T: David Pipe

5th

8

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:35 Exeter

Jilaijone

11st 1lb

J: Philip Armson

T: David Pipe

prominent

8/1

4th

9

16th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:15 Sandown

Jilaijone

10st 13lb

J: Philip Armson

T: David Pipe

Clearcut winner of a small-field juvenile hurdle on good ground in December and has probably performed to a similar level in his subsequent defeats, bumping into one well handicapped last time; 3lb higher but this hold-up performer should make his presence felt.

6/1

Form: 815/PP D

Last run: 73 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Has been pulled up in both starts this season after a long absence (too free in the first, soft ground reportedly unsuitable in the second); may yet return to form but obvious risks until he gives more positive signs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:35 Exeter

Paros

12st 1lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

held up in last

14/1

7

27th Dec 2022

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Kempton

Paros

11st 0lb

J: Nathan Brennan

T: Nicky Henderson

Comes into the reckoning on the form of his win at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft; made all) in March 2021 but has run only twice since, folding tamely that April and pulled up at Huntingdon three weeks ago after a long absence; may build on latest run and a refitted hood could have a positive effect, but he carries obvious risks; stablemate of No Ordinary Joe.

25/1

Form: 51-646 D BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Only 3lb higher than when scoring in comfortable style last April but hasn't found top form in three outings this season; both wins on good but reportedly unsuited by it when beaten favourite at Catterick last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:35 Exeter

American Gerry

11st 10lb

J: Mr Nathan Brennan

T: Hughie Morrison

Only 3lb higher than when scoring in comfortable style last April but hasn't found top form in three outings this season; both wins on good but reportedly unsuited by it when beaten favourite at Catterick last month.

12/1

6th

2

13th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

14:45 Catterick

American Gerry

12st 2lb

J: Nathan Brennan

T: Hughie Morrison

Second-season hurdler whose latest effort was better than his reappearance; sole runner on the card for a trainer who is 2-4 with his jumps runners at Catterick, including this one's win last February; suited by good ground and may be about to return to his best; interesting.

100/30

4th

1

21st Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:53 Taunton

American Gerry

12st 0lb

J: Nathan Brennan

T: Hughie Morrison

Won a Catterick maiden (2m3f, good) and Kempton handicap (2m, good) in two of his last three runs last season but he was a well-held last of six when favourite at Kempton (2m) on his return last month; the soft ground may have caused his downfall but he needs to kick on again after that disappointing run; cheekpieces worn in last three starts are removed.

11/2

Form: 674

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Lost his way on the Flat last year and yet to be placed after three attempts over hurdles (long way behind Red Dirt Road in the second of them); better when fourth at Ffos Las latest and could be a different proposition now handicapping off 110 (recorded RPR of 92 at his peak on the Flat).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

15th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Huntingdon

Thunderclap

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Hughie Morrison

Fairly useful 1m2f winner on the Flat who seems to be heading in the right direction over hurdles, fourth of 15 in 2m Ffos Las novice in January; he's open to further progress after a break so holds very good claims.

3/1

6

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:35 Exeter

Thunderclap

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Hughie Morrison

Lost his way on the Flat last year and yet to be placed after three attempts over hurdles (long way behind Red Dirt Road in the second of them); better when fourth at Ffos Las latest and could be a different proposition now handicapping off 110 (recorded RPR of 92 at his peak on the Flat).

5/1

4th

11

23rd Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:30 Ffos Las

Thunderclap

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Has failed to land a blow in two attempts over hurdles, midfield at Leicester (1m7f) latest; however, should be capable of better judged on his fairly useful Flat form; could go well in a race lacking strength in depth.

10/1

Non-runners

American Gerry, Thunderclap

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.80
Straight Forecast £9.64
Tricast £33.30
Trifecta £32.30

Selections

RP Ratings:

Red Dirt Road

TOPSPEED:

Issam

POSTDATA:

Jilaijone

SPOTLIGHT:

Shallow River

WEST COUNTRY:

Red Dirt Road

The Times:

Red Dirt Road

Telegraph:

Red Dirt Road

The Guardian:

Red Dirt Road

Daily Mail:

Red Dirt Road

D Express:

Red Dirt Road

Daily Mirror:

Red Dirt Road

The Sun:

Red Dirt Road

Daily Record:

Red Dirt Road

The Star:

Issam