RACE 5 4.00

THE PLAY PICK 6 AT BetVictor

HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier)

for five yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £15650

(For conditions of this race see page 47) about THREE MILES (3m 52yds)

Leading course trainer (17-22): N Henderson (49 wins from 228 runners, 21%) runs BOTHWELL BRIDGE and HYLAND

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): F O’Brien (5 wins from 33 runners, 15%) runs HURRICANE HARVEY Longest Traveller: GETALEAD trained by C Harris, Umberleigh, 158 miles.

RACE FACTS: BREEDING J JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER FORM Br BREEDER S SPONSOR

HEADGEAR KEY: H HOOD B BLINKERS V VISOR E EYESHIELD T TONGUE STRAP CP SHEEPSKIN CHEEKPIECES

COLOURS NO HORSE/DAYS SINCE LAST RUN

1 BOTHWELL BRIDGE (IRE) (27) 8 12 0 BHA131

B g Stowaway - Raise The Issue (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))

J Sean O’Briain (10) Victoria Dunn and Nicholas Mustoe Nicky Henderson, Lambourn 1FPP-P5

Br Stephen Roche

S Unibet

TIMEFORM VIEW On the downgrade since making a winning chase debut in December 2021 but better signs back hurdling when fifth of 14 in 3m Sandown handicap 4 weeks ago. Claims if he can build on that. TFRHHHHH

2 HURRICANE HARVEY (GB) (26)

B g Doyen (IRE) - Camp Fire (IRE) (Lahib (USA))

9 11 12 BHA129

J Jack Hogan (5)

Dr Richard and Anne Rowland Fergal O’Brien, Cheltenham 0P0115 D

Br Mr J. L. Skinner

S Bresbet

TIMEFORMVIEW Has looked hard work on occasions but very much in the mood when winning staying handicap hurdles at Uttoxeter and Ludlow around the turn of the year Respectable fifth of 13 at Musselburgh (3m) since.

3 UPTHE STRAIGHT (IRE) (48)

B g Arcadio (GER) - Kings Artist (IRE) (King’s Theatre (IRE))

9 11 11

BHA128

J Niall Houlihan (3)

The Forever Partnership Richard Rowe, Pulborough P31-2PP

Br Kenneth Parkhill

S Southern Cranes & Access Limited

TIMEFORM VIEW Resumed winning ways when landing a handicap chase at Sandown on final start of last term. Second on Fontwell reappearance in September but pulled up on both outings since. Remains to be seen if a return to hurdling sparks a revival. TFRHHIII

4 GETALEAD (IRE) (56) 7 11 9 BHA126

B g Getaway (GER) - Site-Leader (IRE) (Supreme Leader)

J David Prichard (5) Pickard Racing Club Claire Harris, Umberleigh F11656

Br L. Byrne S Pickard Homes Solutions Ltd T

TIMEFORM VIEW Added to his tally with pair of small-field victories in September Ran below that level on 2 of his 3 starts since, well held sixth of 7 to Hurricane Harvey at Ludlow (3m, soft) on latest 8 weeks ago. TFRHHIII

5 EMITOM (IRE) (64) 9 11 5

B g Gold Well - Avenging Angel (IRE) (Heron Island (IRE))

The Spero Partnership Ltd

Br Arctic Tack Stud

Alan King, Barbury Castle

S Goodwin Racing Ltd

BHA122

J Tom Cannon

32PP-4P C D

TIMEFORM VIEW Grade 2 winning hurdler in 2020. Proved he retains abillity when fourth on his Ludlow reappearance in November Ran a stinker at Kelso the following month but is well treated if a subsequent change of stable has a reviving effect.

STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 29/12/2022 it was reported that the horse weakened quickly. TFRHHHII

6 HYLAND (FR) (85) 6 11 5

BHA122

Gr g Turgeon (USA) - Medine (FR) (Mansonnien (FR)) J Nico de Boinville

The Ten From Seven Nicky Henderson, Lambourn 313-213

Br Mr Denis Parreau Delhote S Unibet

TIMEFORM VIEW Won 2 handicaps last spring but faded to finish a remote third of 4 on his 19f Taunton return in December Steps up in trip back from a further 3 months off. One of 2 runners from his top stable. TFRHHHII

7 HALIFAX (FR) (7)

6 10 11(in 7lb ex) BHA107 (+4)

B g Saddler Maker (IRE) - Oudette (FR) (Apple Tree (FR)) J Conor Ring (3)

Mrs Katya Banks Grace Harris, Shirenewton 523421

Br MmeVsse.Yves D’Armaille T

TIMEFORMVIEW Placed several times prior to gaining an overdue first success at Exeter (23f) a week ago. Carries a 7lb penalty Likely to give another good account of himself. TFRHHHHI

8 SPIKE JONES (GB) (31)

6 10 8 BHA111

B g Walk In The Park (IRE) - Mathine (FR) (Malinas (GER)) J Danny Burton (5) Drinkwater Family & Cheltenham Boys Samuel Drinkwater, Strensham 31-3314

Br Mr J. L. Lightfoot T

TIMEFORMVIEW Second hurdle success when seeing off 8 rivals over ccess in this sphere at Fontwell (3 1/4m, soft) on Boxing Day. Creditable close fourth of 9 over 23f at Lingfield since. This consistent sort should give it another good shot. TFRHHHHI

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 8 (EXACTA)

Tongue Strap worn by No. 2, 4, 7, 8.

2022: VIVE LE ROI (IRE) 11 10 1 Jamie Moore 10-1 (Tony Carroll) 11 ran

Betting Forecast: 3-1 Halifax (FR), 11-2 Bothwell Bridge (IRE), Hyland (FR), 6-1 Spike Jones (GB), 15-2 Emitom (IRE), 17-2 Hurricane Harvey (GB), 16-1 Getalead (IRE), 20-1 Up The Straight (IRE)

Race Summary: BOTHWELL BRIDGE is given a chance to build on his fifth in a competitive heat at Sandown with Sean O’Briain, who has partnered a couple of winners in recent days, taking a handy 10lb off. The consistent Spike Jones and last week’s Exeter scorer Halifax are likely to be thereabouts, while Emitom is worth a betting check on first outing for new trainer Alan King.

1-2-3: 1.BOTHWELL BRIDGE (IRE) 2.SPIKE JONES 3.HALIFAX (FR)