RACE 4 3.25

THE MAKE YOUR BEST BET AT BetVictor HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3)

for four yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £20650

(For conditions of this race see page 47)

TWO MILES ABOUT HALF A FURLONG (2m 69yds)

Leading course trainer (17-22): N Henderson (49 wins from 228 runners, 21%) runs GIPSY DE CHOISEL

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): D McCain (6 wins from 31 runners, 19%) runs FRUIT N NUT

Longest Traveller: FRUIT N NUT trained by D McCain, Cholmondeley, 159 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 AGE ST LB

1 ONEMOREFORTHEROAD (GB) (21) 8 12 0 BHA130

B gYorgunnabelucky (USA) -Vinomore (Grape Tree Road) J Bryony Frost

Rupert Dubai Racing Neil King, Burderop 243-400 CD

Br Donna Wallis S Tote

TIMEFORM VIEW A bit disappointing so far this term but this clearly easier than the Betfair Hurdle he contested here last month and he’s well treated on last season’s exploits. No surprise were he to revive TFRHHHII

2 GIPSY DE CHOISEL (FR) (106)

7 11 13 BHA129

B or Br g Great Pretender (IRE) - Beautiful Choisel (FR) (Sageburg (IRE)) J Daryl Jacob

Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson, Lambourn 35F/0-15 D

Br E.A.R.L. JL S Ptarmigan Media Limited

TIMEFORM VIEW Hurdles winner on sole start in France and opened his account on these shores in cosy fashion at Warwick (2m) in May. Shaped as if retaining all his ability on Ascot return in November and remains low mileage for leading stable. TFRHHHHH

3 HEAD LAW (FR) (33)

B g Network (GER) - Law (FR) (Lute Antique (FR))

6 11 8 BHA124

Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O’Neill, Cheltenham

J Jonjo O’Neill Jr

1110-30 D

Br J. Magnien, C. Magnien & B. Magnien S Wasdell Group T

TIMEFORM VIEW Bumper winner who progressed well over hurdles last term, completing a hat-trick under a penalty in a Southwell handicap in April. Shaped encouragingly on belated return at Kempton in January and the run perhaps came too soon at Huntingdon 16 days later. Could bounce back.

4 FRUIT N NUT (IRE) (19)

B g Carlotamix (FR) - Perilously (USA) (Mr Greeley (USA))

7 11 8

TFRHHHHI

BHA124

J Theo Gillard (3)

Mr Les Buckley Donald McCain, Cholmondeley 0/1-3013 D

Br Mrs E. Leahy S Proactive Personnel Limited, Special Piping Materials Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Dual soft-ground bumper winner in 2021 and doubled tally over hurdles when accounting for 6 rivals at Sedgefield (17f) in January Creditable third in 2m Catterick handicap since despite leaving the impression he found that track a little on the sharp side.

5

MASTER DANCER (FR) (67)

B g Masterstroke (USA) - Perle d’Ainay (FR) (Dark Moondancer)

The Dancer Quartet

Br Stephane Milaveau & Emmanuel Clayeux

6 11 6

Richard Bandey, Kingsclere

S Tote

TFRHHHII

BHA122

J Harry Bannister

210-13P D

TIMEFORMVIEW Winning chaser in France who made a successful British debut back over hurdles in Stratford maiden (2m). Backed that up when very good third of 19 in 2m Cheltenham handicap in November and possibly unsuited by softer ground when disappointing at Kempton over Christmas. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 27/12/2022 it was reported that the horse resented the soft tacky ground. TFRHHHII

6

GLORIOUS ZOFF (IRE) (21) 6 11 6

B g Zoffany (IRE) - Ardbrae Lady (Overbury (IRE))

BHA122

J Tom Bellamy

Deva Racing GZ Fergal O’Brien, Cheltenham 30/034-P

Br Summerhill B/Stock & Lynch Bages Ltd

S Deva Racing Group H T

TIMEFORMVIEW Fairly useful hurdler for Gordon Elliott in 2021 but not seen again until never involved on AW Flat at Kempton for this yard in January Proved way too headstrong when pulled up in Betfair Hurdle here since. Refitting of a hood may help him to settle better but he has something to prove for now. TFRHHHII

B g Kayf Tara - Poppy Come Running (IRE) (Definite Article)

J Brendan Powell

West Coast Haulage Limited Kerry Lee, Presteigne 2112-20 CD

Br H. J. Fitzsimons & Smarden Thoroughbreds S Fitzdares Limited

TIMEFORMVIEW Won this race 12 months ago. Sound start to his chase career when second on Ffos Las reappearance in October and had lack of stamina as an excuse for his below par effort back hurdling in a 20.5f handicap here over Christmas. TFRHHHII

8 ARTISTIC CHOICE (IRE) (23) 4 10 2 BHA114

Gr g Caravaggio (USA) - Chicago Girl (IRE) (Azamour (IRE))

J Harry Cobden

Mr Stuart Mizon Michael Bell, Newmarket 1541 D

Br Forenaghts Stud Farm Ltd & Sam Mencoff S Michael Bell Racing CP

TIMEFORMVIEW Fairly useful maiden on the level who made a winning start over hurdles at Catterick in November and added to his tally in 2m Huntingdon handicap last month. This is a better race but he could easily have more to offer TFRHHHHI

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 8 (EXACTA)

Tongue Strap worn by No. 3. Hood, Tongue Strap worn by No. 6.

Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 8.

2022: BLACK POPPY 6 10 6 Brendan Powell 6-4 (Kerry Lee) 6 ran

Betting Forecast: 3-1 Artistic Choice (IRE), 5-1 Gipsy de Choisel (FR), Fruit N Nut (IRE), 6-1 Master Dancer (FR), 17-2 Onemorefortheroad (GB), 10-1 Head Law (FR), 11-1 Black Poppy (GB), 33-1 Glorious Zoff (IRE)

Race Summary: In a tight handicap the suggestion is GIPSY DE CHOISEL whose lightly-raced profile suggests he could easily still have more to come for his top connections. Juvenile Artistic Choice made a successful switch to handicaps at Huntingdon recently and is second choice ahead of Head Law, who shaped well on his reappearance and had a possible excuse for a lesser run since.

1-2-3: 1.GIPSY DE CHOISEL (FR) 2.ARTISTIC CHOICE (IRE) 3.HEAD LAW (FR)