MARTIN PIPE Conditionals Handicap Hurdle

[Saxon Warrior]

TO CLOSE BY NOON ON FEBRUARY 18th


CHELTENHAM
Friday, March 14th

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)

TOTAL RACE VALUE GBP 75,000

Distributed in accordance with Stakes and Prize Money Code
GBP 44,475 to the winning horse
The second to receive GBP 13,965
the third GBP 6,983,
the fourth GBP 3,488,
the fifth GBP 1,747,
the sixth GBP 878,
the seventh GBP 442 and
the eighth GBP 210

for four yrs old and upwards

(Weight Range 0-145)

TWO MILES ABOUT FOUR FURLONG (2m 4f 56y)

Enter by noon, February 18th and pay GBP 90 stake
Confirm by noon, March 8th and pay GBP 260
Declare by 10.00 a.m. March 12th

Weights publish on February 23rd
Penalties, after February 23rd 2025, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb
(No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb)

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

2024 Better Days Ahead 6-11-7 5/1 Gordon Elliott - D.Gilligan RPR 147 (OR 140)

2023 Iroko 5-11-5 6/1 Greenhall/Guerriero - A. Kelly RPR 143 (OR 138)

2022 Bainbridge 6-11-3 12/1 Joseph O'Brien - M. McDonagh RPR 140 (OR 137)

2021 Galopin des Champs 5-11-9 8/1 Willie Mullins - Sean O'Keeffe RPR 154 (OR 142)

2020 Indefatigable 7-11-9 25/1 Paul Webber - Rex Dingle RPR 147 (OR 145)

2019 Early Doors 6-11-10 5/1 Joseph O'Brien - Jonjo O'Neill Jr RPR 156 (OR 145)

2018 Blow By Blow 7-11-10 11/1 Gordon Elliott - Donagh Meyler. RPR 152 (OR 144)

2017 Champagne Classic. 6-11-3. 12/1. Gordon Elliott - J J Slevin. RPR 145 (OR 138)

2016 Ibis Du Rheu. 5-11-7. 14/1. Paul Nicholls - Jack Sherwood. RPR 146 (OR 139)

2015 Killultagh Vic. 6-11-1. 7/1. W P Mullins - L P Dempsey. RPR 147 (OR 135)

2014 Don Poli. 5-11-5. 12/1. W P Mullins - M P Fogarty 3. RPR 153 (OR 143)


10 year Top and Bottom Handicap ratings
Maximum Field 24

2024 1st OR 140, 2nd OR 133, 3rd OR 140, 4th OR 137 (High OR 145, Lowest OR 122) - 21 Ran
2023 1st OR 138, 2nd OR 139, 3rd OR 131, 4th OR 145. High OR 145, Lowest OR 126
2022 1st OR 137, 2nd OR 136, 3rd OR 143, 4th OR 135. High OR 144, Lowest OR 132
2021 1st OR 142, 2nd OR 135, 3rd OR 143, 4th OR 136. High OR 143, Lowest OR 132
2020 1st OR 145, 2nd OR 138, 3rd OR 136, 4th OR 137. High OR 145. Lowest OR 136
2019 1st OR 145, 2nd OR 140, 3rd OR 139, 4th OR 126. High OR 145 Lowest OR 126
2018 1st OR 144, 2nd OR 136, 3rd OR 142, 4th OR 144. High OR 144 Lowest OR 136
2017 1st OR 138, 2nd OR 135, 3rd OR 140, 4th OR 138. High OR 145 Lowest OR 135
2016 1st OR 139, 2nd OR 138, 3rd OR 135, 4th OR 140. High OR 142 Lowest OR 135
2015 1st OR 135, 2nd OR 140, 3rd OR 139, 4th OR 135. High OR 144 Lowest OR 135
2014 1st OR 143, 2nd OR 134, 3rd OR 143, 4th OR 135. High OR 146 Lowest OR 133

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…..2025 TREND ANALYSIS for reference;

1) AGE;
Progressive horses have an excellent record in the Martin Pipe, with ten of the last 12 winners being aged five or six.

That trend continued last year with Better Days Ahead being a six-year-old winner for Gordon Elliott. The only horse to win the race since 2019 was Indefatigable aged seven in 2020.

2) FAVOURITES POOR RECORD;
The record of favourites in the race is astoundingly bad given the roll of honour in terms of recent winners.

None of the last 12 editions of the Martin Pipe have been won by favourites, with just four of the winners over this period being found in the top three in the betting. Among the runners able to win at bigger prices, include Galopin Des Champs at 8/1 in 2021, and Banbridge at 12/1 in 2022.

3) WINNING EXPERIENCE;
Previous winning experience is important to note when assessing contenders in the Martin Pipe.

Six of the last 12 winners of the race had won on their previous start before lining up at Cheltenham, while there have also been six winners over the same period to have won at the track before lining up in the Martin Pipe. Meanwhile, ten of the victors since 2013had been in action within the last 55 days before the Festival.

4) RACING EXPERIENCE THAT SEASON;
All but two of the last 12 winners had made at least three starts during the course of the season before lining up in the Martin Pipe.

Meanwhile, nine victors over the same period had recorded at least one win in the season. This trend should enable bettors to trim the field down in 2025.

5) WEIGHT;
The weight carried by winners in the race is telling when assessing the trends. Nine of the last 12 victors in the Martin Pipe have carried between 11st 3lb and 11st 9lb.

That trend continued last year when Better Days Ahead won off 11-7. All 12 of the winners of the Martin Pipe since 2013 had a rating of at least 135 over hurdles.




Positives - pre-Festival 2025 update

* 14 of the 16 winners had run 8 times or less over hurdles
* 8 of the past 11 winners were novices (7 of them were Irish-trained)

* All 16 winners were aged between 5-7 (14 of them aged 5 or 6)
* All 16 winners carried 11-1 or more
* 12 of the past 14 winners recorded a top-3 finish last time out
* (8 won) 8 of the past 11 winners had won over further

* 7 of the past 15 winners ran in a Graded race last time out
* 7 of the past 12 winners were rated in the 140s
* 5 of the 7 British-trained winners had course form

* 5 of the past 14 winners had run in France earlier in their careers
* 4 of the past 14 winners were trained by Willie Mullins
* 4 of the past 14 winners were owned by Gigginstown House Stud
* 6 of the past 9 winners carried between 11-7 and 11-10
* 3 of the past 8 winners were trained by Gordon Elliott
* 2 of the past 6 winners were owned by JP McManus
* 2 of the past 6 winners were trained by Joseph



Negatives - pre-2025 Festival update

* Horses aged 8+ are 0-72
* Horses carrying 11-0 or less are 0-109
* David Pipe-trained runners are 0-23
* Only 1 of the 13 winners (since the upper ceiling was increased to 145) was rated below 137

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Early Entries in the Martin Pipe at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival:

1. Act of Authority (FR)
2. Aston Martini
3. Beat The Bat (IRE)
4. Blaze The Way (IRE)
5. Blenkinsop
6. Bo Zenith (FR)
7. Bridie’s Beau (IRE)
8. Bunting (FR)
9. Captain Morgs (IRE)
10. Comfort Zone (IRE)
11. Cormier (IRE)
12. Country Park (IRE)
13. D Art D Art (FR)
14. Deep Cave (IRE)
15. Doyen Quest (IRE)
16. Dr Eggman (FR)
17. East India Express (IRE)
18. Electric Mason (IRE)
19. Farren Glory (IRE)
20. Fenway Park (IRE)
21. Firestream
22. First Street
23. Flash Collonges (FR)
24. Fleur In The Park (IRE)
25. Gentleman Bill (IRE)
26. Gin Coco (FR)
27. Go To War (IRE)
28. Guard The Moon
29. Hamsiyann (IRE)
30. Harsh
31. Highwind (FR)
32. Hunters Yarn (IRE)
33. Impose Toi (FR)
34. Irish Panther
35. Jacovec Cavern
36. Jazzy Matty (FR)
37. Jimmy du Seuil (FR)
38. Jipcot (FR)
39. Kala Conti (FR)
40. Kap Vert (FR)
41. Karafon (FR)
42. Kimy (FR)
43. Kopeck de Mee (FR)
44. La Pinsonniere (FR)
45. McLaurey (IRE)
46. Might I (IRE)
47. Minella Missile (IRE)
48. Minella Sixo (IRE)
49. Mordor (FR)
50. Ndaawi
51. No Ordinary Joe (IRE)
52. No Questions Asked (IRE)
53. Norman Fletcher
54. Nurse Susan (FR)
55. Park of Kings (IRE)
56. Patter Merchant (IRE)
57. Petrol Head (IRE)
58. Punctuation
59. Punta Del Este (FR)
60. Push The Button (IRE)
61. Raglan Road (IRE)
62. Sa Fureur (IRE)
63. Saint Anapolino (FR)
64. Spirit d’Aunou (FR)
65. Sporting Glory (IRE)
66. Staffordshire Knot (IRE)
67. Steel Ally (FR)
68. Stormbreaker
69. Tapley
70. Taponthego (IRE)
71. The Enabler (IRE)
72. Timmy Tuesday (IRE)
73. Tonaghneave Well (IRE)
74. Tounsivator (FR)
75. Uncle Bert
76. Vischio (IRE)
77. West Balboa (IRE)
78. West To The Bridge (IRE)
79. Wilde About Oscar (IRE)
80. Will The Wise (IRE)
81. Wodhooh (FR)
82. Zanahiyr (IRE)

[FinalFurlong91]

Martin pipe 2022: Langer Dan Strikes Back

[Zachx02]

Martin pipe 2022: Langer Dan Strikes Back

Just can't get myself to back him until we see an entry which is most likely going to be the Imperial Cup and his price is already getting eaten up, annoying.

[FinalFurlong91]

Just can't get myself to back him until we see an entry which is most likely going to be the Imperial Cup and his price is already getting eaten up, annoying.

After backing him in the imperial Cup and this last year and watching him beat the rest of the field by miles just to get beat by a horse who had what turns out to be 2 stone in hand i think I'd combust of i didnt back him

Definitely allowed myself a heart bet not a head one

Id assume the plan is

Inconspicuous prep run with him fat as a pig
win imperial Cup off 140
Win Martin pipe off 145

Was happy to take the 16s, he'll be 8s soon

[BookieBasher]

Josh Stacey on his Handicaps video has put up Saint Felicien as his Pipe fancy. I know lots on here including myself have him in the County.

[Zachx02]

Josh Stacey on his Handicaps video has put up Saint Felicien as his Pipe fancy. I know lots on here including myself have him in the County.

Can't see him coming here when Gordon has already name checked chemical energy and probably has a few others in the background, if one of his robcour horses was to come here I'd say it would be Gerri colombe

[JackieMoon33]

Can't see him coming here when Gordon has already name checked chemical energy and probably has a few others in the background, if one of his robcour horses was to come here I'd say it would be Gerri colombe

I like Au Fleuron of Gordon’s for this too. He started the season on my bumper shortlist but I can see one more run and then a handicap.

[Craigy14]

Can't see him coming here when Gordon has already name checked chemical energy and probably has a few others in the background, if one of his robcour horses was to come here I'd say it would be Gerri colombe

Gerri certainly isn’t going to be given 2 runs between now and the festival imo.

Also doubt aiming at a handicap he’s now 3 from 3 under rules doing it with the minimum of fuss.

He’ll be in the Ballymore or AB if proving good enough for the festival imo.

[JamieSensible]

El Fabiolo, I'm going to mention the horse here fully aware it could be a country Hurdle horse but its too early to say.

Looked impressive on debut but with an initial RPR of 125 that's 11lb lower than Saint Roi when he ran in the race previously which then allowed him to go straight to the County.

This horse definitely needs to run again before Cheltenham, and if they do they may follow the GDC route of sticking him in a Grade 1 over 2m. If he wins he'll be off to the Supreme, if he's mid field he'll no doubt be upped in trip to come here.

Any race currently available 10/1 but seems short to me, may be worth waiting until the next run. Who thinks it'll come here?

[Stormez]

El Fabiolo, I'm going to mention the horse here fully aware it could be a country Hurdle horse but its too early to say.

Looked impressive on debut but with an initial RPR of 125 that's 11lb lower than Saint Roi when he ran in the race previously which then allowed him to go straight to the County.

This horse definitely needs to run again before Cheltenham, and if they do they may follow the GDC route of sticking him in a Grade 1 over 2m. If he wins he'll be off to the Supreme, if he's mid field he'll no doubt be upped in trip to come here.

Any race currently available 10/1 but seems short to me, may be worth waiting until the next run. Who thinks it'll come here?

He’s going to do this with one of his novices isn’t he, possibly several when you consider all the horses he’s got to juggle.

All we’ve got to do is pick out the right one for the right race, easy!!!

[Odin]

El Fabiolo, I'm going to mention the horse here fully aware it could be a country Hurdle horse but its too early to say.

Looked impressive on debut but with an initial RPR of 125 that's 11lb lower than Saint Roi when he ran in the race previously which then allowed him to go straight to the County.

This horse definitely needs to run again before Cheltenham, and if they do they may follow the GDC route of sticking him in a Grade 1 over 2m. If he wins he'll be off to the Supreme, if he's mid field he'll no doubt be upped in trip to come here.

Any race currently available 10/1 but seems short to me, may be worth waiting until the next run. Who thinks it'll come here?

I put pretty much exactly the same thing in the members section at about the same time! Agree with others in there that they will run him to his merits at DRF, but definitely not out of the question that he ends up a handicapper at Cheltenham and then better than a handicapper down the line

[Loubell]

The one of Gordon’s that I’m keen on is Gringo D’Aubralle for this. I want Irish trained novices who have run in Graded races on side.

3 hurdles runs, ran in the Challow LTO and has good form in the book behind Blazing Khal.

Hopefully there’s 16/1 about when NRNB over the current 25/1.

[Atlantic Viking]

Josh Stacey on his Handicaps video has put up Saint Felicien as his Pipe fancy. I know lots on here including myself have him in the County.

I don't think Saint Felicien needs another 4f, but someone is pushing that kid and dropping him info so it's worth keeping in mind.

[isitmarchyet]

Ash Tree Meadow is one I've thought about for this. Couple of runs behind Gringo D'aubrelle and Sir Gerhard so far. I remember in OJA it was mentioned he could be a better horse in the spring too. Definitely one I'm interested in.

[Speedy17]

I'm interested in Adamantly Chosen for this, his bumper win form is good, and the narrow second to Gringo good too, could improve heaps for his next run as he had it fairly early for a Mullins horse.