3.40 The Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Fifth Race 3.40

The Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 2) (GBB Race)

for four yrs old and upwards x Total race value £21000 Owners Prize Money. 1st £8348, 2nd £4173, 3rd £2087, 4th £1044, 5th £521, 6th £260. (Penalty Value £10926.30) Weights raised 2lbs and paragraph 34 of the Weights and Handicapping Code complied with where applicable.

2m 104y

Race Description

This is a two miles and half a furlong handicap hurdle race for four-year-olds and upwards. The majority of handicaps are designed for horses from with a specific ratings band but this particular race has no rating restrictions attached to it which allows horses with a higher rating to take part. Even so, the higher rated horses must still concede weight to their lower rated rivals, which tends to make open handicaps very competitive races.

Br Breeding O Owner B Breeder J Jockey T Trainer S Sponsor

colours no horse

1 LANGER DAN (IRE) (340) 6/05412- D

Br B g Ocovango - What A Fashion (IRE)

age

st-lb 6 11-12

Lorcan Williams J O Mr Colm Donlon Dan Skelton, Alcester T B Hugh O’Connor Ladbrokes, The Air Ambulance Service (Warwickshire & Northamptonshire) S TIMEFORMVIEW Found just one too good in the Martin Pipe at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, having landed the Imperial Cup in good style at Sandown 6 days earlier. Entitled to need this following 11 months off. TFRHHHII BHA140 2 AJERO (IRE) (105) 1110-P4 D

Br B g Red Jazz (USA) - Eoz (IRE) O Julie and David R Martin and Dan Hall

7 11-6

David Bass J Kim Bailey, Cheltenham T B Peter & Sandra McCarthy Kim Bailey Racing Ltd S TIMEFORMVIEW Progressive novice last term, winning 4 on the bounce prior to finding Grade 1 company too much at Aintree. Not at his best in a couple of appearances so far this season, but not one to write off. TFRHHHHI BHA134 3 ZAMBEZI FIX (FR) (45) 22-F252 D

Br Gr g Zambezi Sun - Lady Fix (FR) O Mr Gethyn Mills & Mr B. J. Llewellyn

7 11-1

Ben Jones J Bernard Llewellyn, Bargoed T

B Mr Olivier Tricot & Mr Max Hennau TIMEFORM VIEW Fairly useful ex-Irish hurdler who has hit the crossbar in Sandown handicaps on his last 2 starts in this sphere. No issues with regard to trip/ground, but likely to find a couple of these too strong. TFRHHHII BHA129 4 RESTANDBETHANKFUL (GB) (16) 11601P D

Br Br g Califet (FR) - Persian Forest O McNeill Family & Patrick&Scott Bryceland

6 11-0

Tom Bellamy J Olly Murphy, Wilmcote T B Clarendon Farm Ultima Business Solutions S TIMEFORMVIEWResumed his progress when bagging third win of season in 2m handicap at Huntingdon in December.Best to overlook subsequent Musselburgh effort (lost action) and possibilities if on-song here. TFRHHHII BHA128 5 MACK THE MAN (IRE) (32) 103-150 D

Br B g Flemensfirth (USA) - Nifty Nuala (IRE) O Mr & Mrs William Rucker

8 10-13

Adam Wedge J Evan Williams, Llancarfan T B Mr Mark Grace, Tote S TIMEFORMVIEW Added to his good record fresh when landing a 2m Exeter handicap in November, but below-par next 2 starts and others make greater appeal. Engaged 4.37 Carlisle Monday. TFRHHIII BHA127 6 TIMBERMAN (IRE) (92) 16-1431 D

Br B g Califet (FR) - Millrock Lady (IRE) O Mr J. Turner

7 10-11

Paddy Brennan J Fergal O’Brien, Cheltenham T

B Mr D. Fitzsimons TIMEFORMVIEWFine third in a Cheltenham handicap on return in October and strong at the finish when scoring at Kempton (2m,good) a month later. 6lb rise tolerable and claims providing the ground doesn’t ease. TFRHHHII BHA125 7 BIRDS OF PREY (IRE) (43) 6/031/-00 C

Br B g Sir Prancealot (IRE) - Cute O Mrs Kathy Stuart

8 10-5

Harry Cobden J Paul Nicholls, Ditcheat T B Thomas Foy Morson Group S TIMEFORMVIEWHasn’t shown much spark in handicaps at Exeter and this course since returning from a lengthy absence in December, and he’s hard to warm to at present. TFRHIIII BHA119 8 FONTANA ELLISSI (FR) (21) 120551 D

Br B g Sinndar (IRE) - Leni Riefenstahl (IRE) O Mr Anthony R.Hunt & Drinkwater family

6 10-2

Jack Tudor (3) J Samuel Drinkwater, Strensham T

DECLARED RUNNERS 8 2021: ROCKADENN (FR) 5 10 11 Bryony Frost 17-2 (Paul Nicholls) 8 ran

Hood worn by No. 8. Tongue Strap worn by No. 2, 4, 7. Stewards Note: RESTANDBETHANKFUL: Following its run on 6/2/2022 it was reported that the horse lost its action. Probable S.P’s: 10-3 Fontana Ellissi (FR), 5-1 Timberman (IRE), 11-2 Langer Dan (IRE), 13-2 Restandbethankful (GB), 7-1 Ajero (IRE), 8-1 Zambezi Fix (FR), 16-1 Mack The Man (IRE), 25-1 Birds of Prey (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER

This is stronger than the Ffos Las handicap FONTANA ELLISSI landed last time, but he remains on an attractive mark and should be capable of holding his own at this higher level. With Langer Dan’s connections presumably using this race as a stepping-stone ahead of bigger targets, Ajero, who has edged back to his last winning mark, and Timberman may emerge as the main dangers.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.FONTANA ELLISSI (FR) 2.AJERO (IRE) 3.TIMBERMAN (IRE)

The Result

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Distance Time

Great British Bonus Scheme

The Great British Bonus (GBB) offers multiple bonuses of up to £20,000 per eligible race for British-bred fillies and mares.

Taxi Pick Up Point In Car Park No 1 (opposite main entrance).

Abbreviations

BF – Beaten Favourite. B – Brought Down. C – Course Winner. D – Distance Winner. F – Fell. P – Pulled Up. R – Refused. S – Slipped Up. U – Unseated.