The PERTEMPS Network Final Handicap Hurdle

[charlie]

He'll likely be ridden like this in the Final too, always a danger of a troubled passage in a race of this nature.

I actually just watched the race back, I could only see one issue/excuse for Come On Teddy on the day but it wasn't race defining, and that's when he had to switch from the back of one horses backside that was hugging the rail, other than that I think Imperial Alcazar was travelling much the better of the pair turning for home and actually won rather comfortably in the end.

I had noted the stat/trend of horses who win the qualifiers not usually winning the final, but I may have to make an exception with Imperial Alcazar.

Yeh good point, although he was ridden that way effectively at Cheltenham to win, but it does open up trouble in running issues. I think the ground is a legitimate excuse for him too.

[Spectre]

The Bosses Oscar looks like a plotted up favourite, but he's no shoe in, and it remains to be seen how well handicapped he'll be when the UK handicapper has his say. He's likely to be somewhere close to 150 which is in Sire de Berlais territory, so he'll have to have improved massively for the step up in distance, and from his run in the Martin Pipe last season, where he would have been trounced by Column Of Fire. Who himself looks more likely for the Coral Cup than here (although i have him and will be watching like a hawk for and entry in the Punchestown qualifier), and will potentially be off a very handy mark compared to TBO. All that said, TBO is a must to have onside for the race, and I have.

Those I've backed before today including TBO are:

Imperial Alcazar 1.5 points ew 12/1 (4pl)
The Bosses Oscar 2 points ew 14/1
Column Of Fire 1.5 points ew 25/1 (4pl)
Unexpected Depth 1 point ew 25/1 nrnb (5pl)
Mrs Milner 1 point ew 33/1 nrnb (5pl)

All have been discussed on here or in diaries to some degree, so I won't make the case, other than to say I'm not convinced there is a standout amongs the horses qualified so far, other than the usual route of follwing Elliott in a handicap.

I have however just added a 50/1 shot for this that I really like. There are some negatives around recent form and age, but I reckon Tobefair is a stonking good bet at 50/1 for this. We know he acts well around Cheltenham. He's won twice and run very well several times over course and distance, including a win just last season off a higher mark than he is now. In addition to that he had his sights raised and ran in the Stayers Hurdle last season, where he ran a really good race after been squeezed out and not getting a clear run and losing his momentum and position at the second last, and then picking up all the way only to be beaten 8 lengths. That piece of form alone would be good enough to go close in this off 147 or better.

You have to forgive him his runs this season, but it's highly likely that's been an exercise in getting his mark down, particularly as he's been entered in two qualifiers indicating the target they've had in mind for the season. Never put in the race in the qaulifier at Warwick last weekend, and pinching fifth place with no dramas or risks of having to run in another one, and handily getting a couple of pounds off from the handicapper in the process.

Age is clearly a negative factor, but 11 year olds and older have won handicaps at Cheltenham, and you don't have to go back very far for evidence. We know he loves the course and distance, he's a tough horse that runs well in big fields, he's looking well handicapped, he's shown form that makes him a genuine contender last season, and this season's Pertemps isn't looking loaded with obvious plots. In addition they appear to be laying him out for the race.

Now I'm sure people will put up horses that they think will beat him (covered earlier), but i think he will line up with a genuine chance. 50/1 is a great price to find out, and also the kind of price you want early for a horse that has a solid chance of at least finishing in the places. I reckon he'll be no bigger than 16/1 on the day or possibly a shade shorter when each way punters can't resist getting him onside given he'll look so solid to run his usual race. I also suspect one of the main pundits may put him up each way too.

[Kevloaf]

The Bosses Oscar looks like a plotted up favourite, but he's no shoe in, and it remains to be seen how well handicapped he'll be when the UK handicapper has his say. He's likely to be somewhere close to 150 which is in Sire de Berlais territory, so he'll have to have improved massively for the step up in distance, and from his run in the Martin Pipe last season, where he would have been trounced by Column Of Fire. Who himself looks more likely for the Coral Cup than here (although i have him and will be watching like a hawk for and entry in the Punchestown qualifier), and will potentially be off a very handy mark compared to TBO. All that said, TBO is a must to have onside for the race, and I have.

Those I've backed before today including TBO are:

Imperial Alcazar 1.5 points ew 12/1 (4pl)
The Bosses Oscar 2 points ew 14/1
Column Of Fire 1.5 points ew 25/1 (4pl)
Unexpected Depth 1 point ew 25/1 nrnb (5pl)
Mrs Milner 1 point ew 33/1 nrnb (5pl)

All have been discussed on here or in diaries to some degree, so I won't make the case, other than to say I'm not convinced there is a standout amongs the horses qualified so far, other than the usual route of follwing Elliott in a handicap.

I have however just added a 50/1 shot for this that I really like. There are some negatives around recent form and age, but I reckon Tobefair is a stonking good bet at 50/1 for this. We know he acts well around Cheltenham. He's won twice and run very well several times over course and distance, including a win just last season off a higher mark than he is now. In addition to that he had his sights raised and ran in the Stayers Hurdle last season, where he ran a really good race after been squeezed out and not getting a clear run and losing his momentum and position at the second last, and then picking up all the way only to be beaten 8 lengths. That piece of form alone would be good enough to go close in this off 147 or better.

You have to forgive him his runs this season, but it's highly likely that's been an exercise in getting his mark down, particularly as he's been entered in two qualifiers indicating the target they've had in mind for the season. Never put in the race in the qaulifier at Warwick last weekend, and pinching fifth place with no dramas or risks of having to run in another one, and handily getting a couple of pounds off from the handicapper in the process.

Age is clearly a negative factor, but 11 year olds and older have won handicaps at Cheltenham, and you don't have to go back very far for evidence. We know he loves the course and distance, he's a tough horse that runs well in big fields, he's looking well handicapped, he's shown form that makes him a genuine contender last season, and this season's Pertemps isn't looking loaded with obvious plots. In addition they appear to be laying him out for the race.

Now I'm sure people will put up horses that they think will beat him (covered earlier), but i think he will line up with a genuine chance. 50/1 is a great price to find out, and also the kind of price you want early for a horse that has a solid chance of at least finishing in the places. I reckon he'll be no bigger than 16/1 on the day or possibly a shade shorter when each way punters can't resist getting him onside given he'll look so solid to run his usual race. I also suspect one of the main pundits may put him up each way too.

I remember 'tipping' Tobefair when he was 2nd at 40/1 in the Pertemps on the morning of the race (case was based around him being 10/1 but flopping the year before) and he was just touched off... needless to say, horse I like.

I backed him the last time he ran thinking that March is no longer 'the target' and picking up a pot along the way (like winning a Pertemps qualifier) might be his aim, however he drifted loads and qualified in 5th, so may have gotten that wrong.

I see he's 33/1 NRNB with 5 places, or 50/1 with 365 4 places and 1/4 the odds.


I don't think I can see him winning it though just as he's higher rated still than when he couldn't as a younger horse? (Of the 11yo's that have, would any of them have been higher in the weights? (Not sure)

Therefore, I'm not sure he'll dramatically shorten? Wouldn't say less than 16/1 myself?

[RufusFlynn]

Agree re Tobefair - went on my shortlist when qualifying last time. Has decent festival form and wasn’t disgraced in higher classes. Didn’t look like he was given a hard time of it in the qualifier either although finished well back.

[YoungHustler]

A couple I also like are Honest Vic and Third Wind. Both are already qualified and I don't think they will be too far away. Silver Sheen is also on my radar. He was due to run at Navan today before running in a qualifier according to Jessie Harrington.

[Liammet]

A couple I also like are Honest Vic and Third Wind. Both are already qualified and I don't think they will be too far away. Silver Sheen is also on my radar. He was due to run at Navan today before running in a qualifier according to Jessie Harrington.

Silver Sheen entered for a qualifier at Huntingdon on Friday

[Saxon Warrior]

Silver Sheen entered for a qualifier at Huntingdon on Friday

I noticed that among a group entry for Hendo too.

It makes sense after last season.
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

[Big Chac]

Silver sheen is interesting, I think I remember Harrington was gutted when this one got injured as they really fancied it. Considering whether 16/1 NRNB is a good bet, do we think he’ll be bigger on the day?

[Spectre]

Not a chance he'll be bigger. I backed him at 16's nrnb as soon as they priced him up.

[Saxon Warrior]

I have finally found on the BHA Website, a full list of all UK Pertemps Qualifiers this season.

Ireland has only two Qualifiers, Leopardstown at Christmas and Punchestown in mid- February.

UK List.
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Series 2020/21


The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Series culminates in the final to be run over three miles at Cheltenham on March 18th, 2021.

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

POST 1, PAGE 1 now updated.

Date	Venue
24/10/2020	Cheltenham
05/11/2020	Newbury (0-145)
07/11/2020	Aintree
09/11/2020	Kempton
19/11/2020	Market Rasen (0-145)
04/12/2020	Sandown
13/12/2020	Carlisle
26/12/2020	Wincanton
16/01/2021	Warwick
29/01/2021	Huntingdon
07/02/2021	Musselburgh
14/02/2021	Exeter
20/02/2021	Haydock
25/02/2021	Chepstow
18/03/2021	Cheltenham

Ireland
28/12/2020 Leopardstown
24/02/2021 Punchestown

[Spectre]

Looking at Huntingdon on Friday, even with the horses Nicky has entered, you can't really see anything other than Silver Sheen coming out of it. I suspect after a year off Jessie would prefer to have an easy time qualifying. The only issue is he may need a bit more than the usual help from the UK handicapper and he probably needs to either win this or slip another race in to get in. I think he'll be a bet on Friday because he has to be trying.

[FrenchHolly]

Looking at Huntingdon on Friday, even with the horses Nicky has entered, you can't really see anything other than Silver Sheen coming out of it. I suspect after a year off Jessie would prefer to have an easy time qualifying. The only issue is he may need a bit more than the usual help from the UK handicapper and he probably needs to either win this or slip another race in to get in. I think he'll be a bet on Friday because he has to be trying.

Silver Sheen is 137 which should be enough to get into the race or at least would have been in the last 10 runnings. They were very bullish in the lead up to last years race until injury ruled him out.

[doctorwu]

Looking at Huntingdon on Friday, even with the horses Nicky has entered, you can't really see anything other than Silver Sheen coming out of it. I suspect after a year off Jessie would prefer to have an easy time qualifying. The only issue is he may need a bit more than the usual help from the UK handicapper and he probably needs to either win this or slip another race in to get in. I think he'll be a bet on Friday because he has to be trying.

If JH goes and wins this race she will blow the horses chances of winning the pertemps. I have to say I wouldn't put it pass her to do this (she's no G.Elloitt). I remember 2 years ago I had a real feeling for 'Not Many Left' and he came over to this very race and won the qualifier getting 7lb and ended up losing the pertemps final by 1 1/2 lengths. She's just not very savvy plotting up a horse imo.

[FrenchHolly]

If JH goes and wins this race she will blow the horses chances of winning the pertemps. I have to say I wouldn't put it pass her to do this (she's no G.Elloitt). I remember 2 years ago I had a real feeling for 'Not Many Left' and he came over to this very race and won the qualifier getting 7lb and ended up losing the pertemps final by 1 1/2 lengths. She's just not very savvy plotting up a horse imo.

Firstly Not Many Left got 4lb and I agree G. Elliott has no peers when it comes to Cheltenham handicaps but Jessica Harrington is a very shrewd lady and over the years she’s proved she’s top class. For the older members who can recall Space Trucker winning the Grand Annual what a bet he was that day.

[Spectre]

Silver Sheen is 133 unless the published rating is incorrect?