PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL Handicap Hurdle

[Saxon Warrior]

TO CLOSE BY NOON ON FEBRUARY 18th

CHELTENHAM
Thursday, March 13th
THE PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL HANDICAP HURDLE RACE
(CLASS 1)
(Grade 3)
TOTAL RACE VALUE GBP 100,000
Distributed in accordance with Stakes and Prize Money Code
GBP 56,270 to the winning horse
The second to receive GBP 21,200,
the third GBP 10,610,
the fourth GBP 5,300,
the fifth GBP 2,660,
the sixth GBP 1,330,
the seventh GBP 660 and
the eighth GBP 340

for five yrs old and upwards, which have been placed in the first four on at least one occasion in a Pertemps Hurdle Race (Series Qualifier) since the start of the current season
about THREE MILES (2m 7f 213yds)

Enter by noon, February 18th and pay GBP 125 stake
Confirm by noon, March 7th and pay GBP 375
Declare by 10.00 a.m. March 11th
Weights Published on February 23rd

Penalties, after February 23rd, 2024, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb
(No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb)


PLEASE NOTE: A novice horse shall only be qualified to run in this race if it has run a minimum of FOUR times in Hurdle Races in Great Britain, Ireland or France in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Weights and Handicapping Code

2024 Monmiral 7-10-12 25/1 Paul Nicholls - Harry Cobden RPR 144 (22 ran)

2023 Good Time Jonny (IRE) 8-11-4 9/1 A Martin - Liam McKenna (5) RPR 148 (22 ran)

2022 Third Wind (IRE) 8-10-11 25/1 Hugh Morrison - Tom O'Brien RPR 149 (22 ran)

2021 Mrs Milner (IRE) 6-10-9 12/1 Paul Nolan - Brian Cooper RPR 145 (22 ran)

2020 Sire du Berlais (FR) 8-11-12 4/1 Gordon Elliott - Barry Geraghty RPR 164 (24 ran)

2019 Sire du Berlais (FR) 7-11-9 4/1 Gordon Elliott - Barry Geraghty RPR 155 (24 ran)

2018 Delta Work (FR) 5-10-10 6/1 Gordon Elliott - Davy Russell RPR 147 (23 ran)

2017 Presenting Percy 6-11-11 11/1 Patrick Kelly - Davy Russell RPR 156 (24 ran)

2016 Mall Dini (IRE) 6-10-11 14/1 Patrick Kelly - Davy Russell RPR 142 (24 ran)

2015 Call The Cops 6-10-12 9/1 Nicky Henderson - A Tinkler RPR 148 (23 ran)

2014 Fingal Bay 8-11-12 9/2 Philip Hobbs - Richard Johnson RPR 154 (23 ran)

2013 Hollywell 6-11-4 25/1 Jonjo O'Neill - Richie McLernon RPR 149 (24 ran)

2012 Cape Tribulaton 8-10-11 14/1 Malcolm Jefferson - D O’Regan RPR 151 (24 ran)

2011 Buena Vista 10-10-3 20/1 David Pipe - C. O’Farrell (5lb) RPR 148 (23 ran)


Handicap Ratings and ages of the first four

2024 1st OR 138, 2nd OR 131, 3rd OR 139, 4th OR 143 (High OR 154, Low OR 131)
2023 1st OR 142, 2nd OR 147, 3rd OR 138, 4th OR 139 (High OR 147, Low OR 121)
2022 1st OR 141, 2nd OR 138, 3rd OR 138, 4th OR 138 (High OR 156, Low OR 134)
2021 1st OR 134, 2nd OR 151, 3rd OR 134, 4th OR 126 (High OR 151, Low OR 126)
2020 1st OR 152, 2nd OR 149, 3rd OR 136, 4th OR 141 (High OR 152, Low OR 131)
2019 1st OR 145, 2nd OR 136, 3rd OR 141, 4th OR 134 (High OR 148, Low OR 134)
2018 1st OR 139, 2nd OR 137, 3rd OR 136, 4th OR 138 (High OR 155, Low OR 135)
2017 1st OR 146, 2nd OR 143, 3rd OR 145, 4th OR 140 (High OR 147, Low OR 137)
2016 1st OR 139, 2nd OR 146, 3rd OR 146, 4th OR 154 (High OR 154, Low OR 135)
2015 1st OR 138, 2nd OR 135, 3rd OR 135, 4th OR 152 (High OR 152, Low OR 135)
2014 1st OR 148, 2nd OR 147, 3rd OR 140, 4th OR 144 (High OR 148, Low OR 135)



UK & Ireland

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Series 2022/23
(20 in total, 14 in Britain, 2 in Ireland and 4 in France)


The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Series culminates in the final to be run over three miles at Cheltenham on March 13th, 2025.

Qualification for the final requires horses to have been placed in the first six in a qualifier during the 2020/21 season.

**These dates are estimates and based on last seasons dates**

2023/24

Cheltenham - Saturday 21sy October:

Aintree - Saturday 4th November:

Kempton - Monday 6th November:

Newbury - Thursday 9th November:

Market Rasen - Thursday 16th November:

Punchestown - Sunday 19th November:

Sandown - Saturday 2nd December:

Carlisle - Sunday 10th December:

Wincanton - Tuesday 26th December:

Leopardstown - Thursday 28th December:

Warwick - Saturday 13th January:

Huntingdon - Friday 26th January:

Musselburgh - Sunday 4th February:

Exeter - Sunday 11th February:

Haydock - Saturday 17th February:

Chepstow - Saturday 24th February:

Naas - Sunday 25th February

--------

……2025 TREND ANALYSIS for reference;

1) AGE 6-8;
Runners aged between six and eight have an excellent record in the Pertemps Final, with horses aged between this bracket winning eleven of the last 12.

The only exception to the rule was Delta Work in 2018, who was a five-year-old winner for Gordon Elliott. Two of the last three winners of the race have been aged eight.

2) WEIGHT;
The trends show that eight of the last 12 winners have carried 11st 4lb or less. Sire Du Berlais won the race for a second time off the heaviest eight since 2015 when carrying 11-12 in 2020.

Since then, three of the last four winners have carried 10-12 or less. Monmiral continued this trend when carrying 10-12 in the race in 2024.

3) FAVOURITES POOR RECORD;
Favourites have a poor record in the Pertemps Final, with just two of the last 12 winners being found at the top of the betting. The last winning favourite of the race was Sire Du Berlais for Gordon Elliott at 4/1 in 2019.

Since then, horses at double-digit prices have won the race in four of the last five editions. That includes Monmiral at 25/1 for the Paul Nicholls team in 2024.

4) EXPERIENCE OVER THE TRIP;
Runners that have proven experience over three miles are well worth considering when assessing the Pertemps Final runners. Ten of the last 12 winners have made at least two starts over the trip, while seven of the victors over the same period have had prior winning experience.

Experience over hurdles should also be respected, with all 12 winners since 2012 having lined up on at least six occasions over the smaller obstacles.

5) OVERLOOK LAST TIME OUT WINNERS;
Last time out winners have a poor record in the Pertemps Final, with just three of the last 12 winners having won before travelling to Cheltenham.

However, notably, all but one of the victors over the same period have made their final start within the last 61 days. Half of the 12 winners had run in a Pertemps Qualifier, but only one of these were winners in their prep race.



Positives - Pre-Festival 2025

* Gordon Elliott boasts a fantastic recent record in the race
* 8 of the past 9 winners wore a tongue-tie (from just 24% representation)
* 6 of the past 9 winners ran in the Leopardstown Qualifier (Christmas fixture)
* The past 13 winners were aged 8 or younger
* The past 13 winners carried 10-9+ (11 of them carried 10-11+)
* 12 of the past 14 winners were rated between 138-148
* 10 of the past 13 winners had run 10 times or less over hurdles

* 9 of the past 15 winners failed to win earlier in the season
* 9 of the past 12 winners were unexposed over staying trips
* 9 of the past 11 winners returned at 14-1 or shorter
* 8 winners this century wore headgear (respect first time headgear being applied)
* 7 of the past 9 winners were trained in Ireland
* Respect JP McManus-owned runners Respect horses who have been chasing earlier in the season



Negatives - Pre-Festival 2025


* Only 1 winner this century was rated 150+
* Only 1 winner this century hadn’t run during the calendar year
* Only 1 of the past 41 winners was older than 9
* Only 1 of the past 35 winners was aged 5

----------

Early Entries in the Pertemps Final at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival:

1. American Sniper (IRE)
2. Anna Bunina (FR)
3. Bridie’s Beau (IRE)
4. Bugise Seagull (IRE)
5. Catch Him Derry (IRE)
6. Cato’s Revenge (IRE)
7. D Art D Art (FR)
8. Doddiethegreat (IRE)
9. Feet of A Dancer (FR)
10. Firestream
11. Franciscan Rock (IRE)
12. Gold In The Rivers (IRE)
13. Guard The Moon
14. Gwennie May Boy (IRE)
15. Harbour Lake (IRE)
16. Harsh
17. Heliko Conti (FR)
18. Henri The Second (FR)
19. Henry’s Friend (IRE)
20. Icare Allen (FR)
21. Idem (FR)
22. J’Ai Froid (IRE)
23. Jacovec Cavern
24. Jeriko du Reponet (FR)
25. Jipcot (FR)
26. Karl des Tourelles (FR)
27. Koori Star (IRE)
28. Long Draw (IRE)
29. Lossiemouth
30. Lucky Lyreen (IRE)
31. Maxi Mac Gold (FR)
32. Maximilian (GER)
33. Minella Missile (IRE)
34. Monmiral (FR)
35. Nab Wood (IRE)
36. One Big Bang (IRE)
37. Patter Merchant (IRE)
38. Shanagh Bob (IRE)
39. Sole Solution (IRE)
40. Staffordshire Knot (IRE)
41. Super Survivor (IRE)
42. Supreme Gift (IRE)
43. The Wallpark (IRE)
44. Thomas Mor (IRE)
45. Up For Parol (IRE)
46. West To The Bridge (IRE)
47. Whatsavailable (IRE)
48. Will The Wise (IRE)
49. Win Some Lose Some (IRE)
50. Zain Nights

[Spectre]

I think Gordon has been smart by qualifying several early, including two that already have a UK mark safely tucked away.

Skelton may be in play here too I think, plus Fahey has a Festival winner qualified that's very interesting.

Let's see which early qualifiers now have their marks protected.

[Quevega]

Thanks for this SW

dallas needs adding to the 25-1 bracket.

[nortonscoin200]

Realise we're still four months away from the Festival - and it is early to be getting involved in handicaps etc - but the man who virtually owns this race already has 5 qualifiers.

And they're all priced up between 16-1 and 25-1 which may not be too shabby bearing in mind his record: out of 9 runners 3 wins and 6 placed in the first 5 in the last 5 years.

Gordon has run two horses in the final in 4 out of the last 5 years.

For what it's worth, here are my thoughts on his qualifiers so far - starting with the two I've backed.

DALLAS DES PICTONS has been raised 3lbs to 139 by the Irish handicapper for his second placed finish at Punchestown off 11st 2lbs.
He travelled sweetly under Davy and plugged on gamely at the finish without ever looking likely to win which would have scuppered his mark for this.

As things stand the British capper surely can't add on more than another 3lbs maximum for a horse who will be 9 next year.
A 3lb rise would take DDP up to 142 - the mark he raced off in the Pipe this year when he was a staying-on 14length 5th off 11st 9lbs as a 66-1 shot.

Ladbrokes make DDP their 8-1 favourite which is laughable but 365 go 25-1 which is reasonable in my book.

DDP has all important Festival form having finished a close second to Early Doors in the Pipe in 2019 when a hot favourite and then the very respectable 5th place this March.

He won the valuable William Fry handicap hurdle over 3 miles in 2019 and has always looked like this trip would suit him. But he has since flopped 4 times over hurdles at 3 miles and Sunday's run may just show that with age and in this company he may be handling the trip better.

This was his first run since pulling up in April and the way he travelled for much of the race was eye-catching. Apart from one year when he won a novice chase on his seasonal debut at 4-9f (only two finishers, the other horse has never won a race under rules) DDP has needed his first run of the season. So this was encouraging - he seems in good heart and there may be better still to come.

I reckon the Pertemps will take less winning than the Pipe and now DDP's qualified Gordon can plot his mark IF he sees this as the target which I reckon he surely will.

Based on the Pertemps top weight in the last 3 years DDP would probably carry between 11st 2lbs and 11st 6lbs if he wound up on 142 with tax. . His irish mark would put him either just under or just over 11 stone.

The question is: can he go one better than The Storyteller who came second as a 9-year-old off 149 - or will DDP be tapped for toe.

Bottom line for me is that he ticks several boxes and looks a pretty decent each way bet at 25-1 in a race where 9 of the last 10 winners have been rated at least 138.

FOLCANO came 6th off a mark of 127 on Sunday and had to be pushed along to go the pace before the home straight. That's worrying. But he stayed on quite dourly for sixth.

He ran off 127 and I can't see him listed in HRI's new ratings so I imagine he'll stay the same. Fifth placed Mars Harper has been raised 1lb. So Folcano will probably need to improve 5-6lbs or get some UK tax to guarantee he gets in.

Folcano earned a 136rpr for Sunday which was pretty decent and easily a career best - clocked up on his seasonal debut on ground (good to yielding) which would have been on the quick side for him. His best results have been on soft and heavy.

He went off 4th favourite for the Pipe this year but was impeded and came down at the first flight. He also ran a good race behind Ashdale Bob and Wide Receiver over 2m 4f last season.

But he looks like he needs 3 miles and as a six-year-old who began his career over mid trips he could improve this season. Ladbrokes make him 10-1 second favourite for the Pertemps but he's 20s elsewhere and as a qualifier in the right hands I reckon it's a decent cash-out option.

SASSY YET CLASSY has been raised 8lbs to 131 after his victory on Sunday (receiving 4lbs from Folcano). He also had a fitness advantage after running last month.
B365 make SYC their 16-1 favourite and he is clearly improving and will almost certainly make the final cut. Just worry about the poor record of horses who've won qualifiers in the final. Not one for me at this stage.

MARS HARPER has been on the go all summer - that was his 10th run since May - and has shown steady improvement. He was beaten just over 4l off levels at Cheltenham last month behind Camprond who finished 4th in the Greatwood. So you certainly can't rule him out at 25-1. But Sunday was his first try over 3 miles and I got the impression he didn't truly stay the trip.

TULLYBEG has picked up 3 races since May (2 of them over 3m) using Jordan Gainford's claim. His 5th place finish at Cheltenham was under 11st 9lbs and on reflection was probably a decent "qualifying effort". He's done most of his running on decent ground but one of his 3m victories was on yielding to soft. He'll probably run off a similar mark to Dallas Des Pictons but at 20-1 you couldn't rule him out.

With Irish trained horses winning the last 5 runnings of the Pertemps you could probably make a case for all 5 of these.

[nortonscoin200]

I think Gordon has been smart by qualifying several early, including two that already have a UK mark safely tucked away.

Skelton may be in play here too I think, plus Fahey has a Festival winner qualified that's very interesting.

Let's see which early qualifiers now have their marks protected.

Fahey's Festival winner who is qualified?

I can only find Born Patriot.

What am I missing?

[Saxon Warrior]

Thanks for this SW

dallas needs adding to the 25-1 bracket.

Done

[Spectre]

Fahey's Festival winner who is qualified?

I can only find Born Patriot.

What am I missing?

Your missing the fact that in a senior moment I’ve completely confused him with Belfast Banter NC.

[Nathaniel99999]

I got to put up this horse because I really think its the forgotten horse, and that is "De name escapes me". I really think this horse has a chance at this. It finished 4th in its qualifier over the weekend and went up only 1lb for it. Its contested in some really tough races in the past 2 or 3 years. People have forgotten though this horse came 3rd behind the Stayers hurdle winner Flooring porter and the 2nd was The Bosses Oscar, this was back in 2020 at Navan if anyone wants to look back. I actually requested this horse on Bet365 and got 25/1. But I've looked at its past form and when you look back theres horses that have come out and won some big handicaps like Maze Runner for example. I've looked at every horse so far for this race and I was tempted on Born Patriot and DDP, and if I'm honest, I think DDP has had his chance. I was even one of those that was on him at the last festival and I just think DDP is one of those which will probably place and be overhyped for this race and won't quite win it.

With the De Name escapes me its on a good mark I personally think its mark will be safely protected for this race upcoming, and I really think this horse is being underestimated from its back form. But I'm on this horse because I really think it has a genuine chance.

[Spectre]

I got to put up this horse because I really think its the forgotten horse, and that is "De name escapes me". I really think this horse has a chance at this. It finished 4th in its qualifier over the weekend and went up only 1lb for it. Its contested in some really tough races in the past 2 or 3 years. People have forgotten though this horse came 3rd behind the Stayers hurdle winner Flooring porter and the 2nd was The Bosses Oscar, this was back in 2020 at Navan if anyone wants to look back. I actually requested this horse on Bet365 and got 25/1. But I've looked at its past form and when you look back theres horses that have come out and won some big handicaps like Maze Runner for example. I've looked at every horse so far for this race and I was tempted on Born Patriot and DDP, and if I'm honest, I think DDP has had his chance. I was even one of those that was on him at the last festival and I just think DDP is one of those which will probably place and be overhyped for this race and won't quite win it.

With the De Name escapes me its on a good mark I personally think its mark will be safely protected for this race upcoming, and I really think this horse is being underestimated from its back form. But I'm on this horse because I really think it has a genuine chance.

I agree with pretty much every word of that, but the problem I have is he'll be a 12 year old come the Festival. Whilst that alone is not a reason not to back him I don't think I want to get involved with him now when there are young improving horses from the right stables that have already qualified.

I do think it's the plan though as he was ridden to qualify without damaging his mark, and I might consider adding him from a book perspective much nearer the time, probably with the extra places.

[MadeinJapan]

If people are looking at DDP for this then surely you'd also have to consider Commander of Fleet from Gigginstown too? He's a year younger than DDP & has had very few races for a 7yo (he was out for nearly 2 years with an injury). His sole run at Cheltenham was in the Bartlett where he finished 2nd to Minella Indo & ahead of Allaho in 3rd. I remember him being held in high regard at Elliot's stable that season & feel he's got a big race in him again...

He Fell when challenging for the lead in the race at the weekend where DDP finished 2nd so still clearly has ability there too.. biggest I can see on him so far is 25/1 which in my opinion rates a better price than DDP @ 16s... not sure what sort of weight he'd get should he qualify & make it in March but judging on Sire De Berlais success off 11-12 previously that may not be an issue either.

I've added him in a couple of speculative bets in a race I never usually look at until much nearer the time, thanks Saxon Warrior for starting the thread above.

[Istabraq]

If people are looking at DDP for this then surely you'd also have to consider Commander of Fleet from Gigginstown too? He's a year younger than DDP.

Am I the only one that finds that staggering ?
Seems to have been around for years, and touted to win several festival races in that time...

[MadeinJapan]

Am I the only one that finds that staggering ?
Seems to have been around for years, and touted to win several festival races in that time...

Exactly - when you look at his profile it's mad he's still a 7yr old & so lightly raced, guess that's what having 570 days off a track does... I'm sure he's been viewed above DDP in the Gigginstown pecking order too; Bartlett vs Martin Pipe first races at the Festival possibly back that up too. If he turns up on the day for this, I'd be surprised if he went of at 33s/25s... especially given the trainer.

[Geordieboy83]

Sorry if this sounds stupid or has already been touched upon, but is there only 2 pertemps qualifiers now in Ireland?

[Istabraq]

Sorry if this sounds stupid or has already been touched upon, but is there only 2 pertemps qualifiers now in Ireland?

Yep.
SW has listed the qualifiers in post #1…

[doctorwu]

I got to put up this horse because I really think its the forgotten horse, and that is "De name escapes me". I really think this horse has a chance at this. It finished 4th in its qualifier over the weekend and went up only 1lb for it. Its contested in some really tough races in the past 2 or 3 years. People have forgotten though this horse came 3rd behind the Stayers hurdle winner Flooring porter and the 2nd was The Bosses Oscar, this was back in 2020 at Navan if anyone wants to look back. I actually requested this horse on Bet365 and got 25/1. But I've looked at its past form and when you look back theres horses that have come out and won some big handicaps like Maze Runner for example. I've looked at every horse so far for this race and I was tempted on Born Patriot and DDP, and if I'm honest, I think DDP has had his chance. I was even one of those that was on him at the last festival and I just think DDP is one of those which will probably place and be overhyped for this race and won't quite win it.

With the De Name escapes me its on a good mark I personally think its mark will be safely protected for this race upcoming, and I really think this horse is being underestimated from its back form. But I'm on this horse because I really think it has a genuine chance.

He got badly hampered in the qualifier. Its just his age. I can't have him as the winner but could well make the frame. Good luck.