Cheltenham Handicap Shortlists

[Kevloaf]

Glenloe - Kim Muir
I feel I'd regret not mentioning him for this race. Scooby has made a good case for him in the 4 miler thread, and he may well end up there, but he's certainly on my shortlist for this race now.

Gordon has only had 1 runner in the race each year, since 2013 and none the two years prior. It looks like this:

2018 - Squouateur (Elliott/JP/Codd) - 3rd at 5/1
2017 - Squouateur (Elliott/JP/Codd) - UR at 5/1F
2016 - Cause of Causes (Elliott/JP/Codd - 1st at 9/2
2015 - Bless The Wings (Elliott/Nina) 2nd 28/1 (Codd 1st on The Package)
2014 - Cause of Causes (Elliott/JP/Nina) - 2nd at 13/2
2013 - Romanesco (Elliott/Gigg/Nina) - 3rd at 8/1
2012 - no runner
2011 - no runner

So from 6 runnings, that is 3221U3. I have no doubt whatsoever I'll be taking whatever Elliott does run seriously.

He's shown a decent level of form with Delta Work, who was 145 going in to Punchestown after beating Glenloe a nose - now Delta Work has gone straight into novice chasing and looks to belong at graded level, and there is no doubt that could be the case with Glenloe, however (as was pointed out), they kept Glenloe's true ability hidden with a view to collecting the Pertemps and didn't amke the cut one year, before getting beaten a nose after a tardy jump at the last in this years renewal. I don't think it takes a HUGE leap to say that Glenloe will be campaigned over fences to gain a very similar mark that he is as a hurdler (142). I think he's better than that, and if he turns up in the Kim Muir, he's a 5/1 shot at best.

Glenloe OR 144.

Still leaning towards Kim Muir for me

[Old Vic]

Hard to know if the entry was a siter to find out his mark or whether they are looking for ground. Not much time to get 3 runs in.

[Scooby91]

Glenloe OR 144.

Still leaning towards Kim Muir for me

That's not a chase mark he can use in the Kim Muir.

[Scooby91]

Hard to know if the entry was a siter to find out his mark or whether they are looking for ground. Not much time to get 3 runs in.

I expect Gordon was/ is going for the bonus. But he wouldn't have expected the maccaire horse in there up on entering him.

[Nwfb89]

Mr Big Shot - Ultima (again!)

I was impressed with his win at Aintree in the Spring - his first go at 3 miles and my first thought was for this race. Pipe has won the race 3 times in the last 10 years, notably twice with Un Temps Por Tout who runs for the same owner - Caroline Tisdall. He takes on Santini and Killbricken Storm tomorrow at Newbury where he's up against it. Interesting it was the same race Un Temps Por Tour ran in in 2015 (finished 2nd to Native River). That pushed the horse and connections towards handicaps and i'm hoping a similar situation will occur here. Depending on the result tomorrow it'll be very interesting if he then turned up at Cheltenham on trials day (like UTPT)

His hurdle mark of 148 was achieved with the single run over 3 miles which he looked to relish. He ran in last years Martin Pipe and actually ran a decent race - better than the 10th place finish suggests. He made good progress after being held up but just blew out around 3 out which is understandable given it was his first run of the season and for just short of a year.

I'm pretty reluctant to back a Pipe horse these days but I can't help but be drawn to him. A word of warning though he's an incredibly fragile horse so wouldn't be an antepost bet until nearer the time and unfortunately despite his recent record at Cheltenham overall would likely be a shorter price than expected closer to the time being a Pipe handicap runner.

Will Mr big shot need to have had 3 runs before hand for this race or not? As I see on rp app it says his chase rating is 148 after having only 1 run this season.

[Arkle]

Could cracking smart land into one of these after the poor showing ( first run granted) don’t think it would have much of a chance in the stayers

[Kevloaf]

That's not a chase mark he can use in the Kim Muir.

No, I know, but he may well take up the entry in the 2 mile 3 chase and he will not be winning it by very far if indeed he does win it!

Then another run over a distance too short.... he's in the ball park with the figure he has. Certainly workable!

[doctorwu]

Glenloe OR 144.

Still leaning towards Kim Muir for me

He looks primed for this race Kev

[Quevega]

He looks primed for this race Kev

Glenloe,
Be surprised if he runs at plumpton, reckon they entered it cos they like it's chances for march and wanted to see how good a race it may be (plumpton), but this race looks decent based on entries.
He;s entered in a 2 miler at naas same day and reckon that's where he may race with a view to experience and a mark maybe, as 2 miles too short for him, to leave the handicaps as a serious option.
But just my hunch

desperate to get a bet on him for the Kim Muir, but no prices offered as yet and obviously needs to get three runs in, which ought to mean a slightly bigger price

[Arkle]

Espoir D’allen one to keep a eye on

[Scooby91]

Espoir D’allen one to keep a eye on

He got injured in that one race. He's just confirmed the form he showed prior to that last season.

[Arkle]

Where do you think scoob?

[Scooby91]

Where do you think scoob?

No where at chelt. And CH next season.

[Scooby91]

Where do you think scoob?

Maybe the grade 2 at fairyhouse in april . The strawberry hurdle over 2m4

[TimRiggins]

He got injured in that one race. He's just confirmed the form he showed prior to that last season.

My mate had the lot on him last year at big prices, so was gutted when he got injured.

Thinking about it he's a massive bok, because he was all in on Fountains @ 33/1, too.

I've backed him NRNB for the CH this year, so that looks like some money I'm getting back