The PERTEMPS Network Final Handicap Hurdle

[Hurdles or chasing]

Rhinestone very interesting entry

[Carnage at Taunton]

Does that mean torygraph can’t now qualify or are there any other options?

I think it means he goes in Albert B

[Quevega]

I think it means he goes in Albert B

or pipe.....

[Kevloaf]

I think it means he goes in Albert B

Yeah, or Martin Pipe I suppose....

Albert Bartlett must be more likely though.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Yeah, or Martin Pipe I suppose....

Albert Bartlett must be more likely though.

Yep, should have put it that way

[ComplyOrDie]

Imagine Column Of Fire wins the qualifier

I will be in pieces. What a disaster that would be

We know that's not happening....

[Quevega]

Yep, should have put it that way

Elliot has only ever had more than 1 runner in the albert bartlett I think.
definitely in the last few years he's gone in with just the one, except in 2019.

So with him having Fakiera, Farouk and torygraph, all in the top 5 of the betting.

You'd think it unlikely although not impossible that they all run here.

We may see Farouk not travel, or we may see one of them in a handicap (the pipe) I reckon. He often has multiple runners in the pipe.

Obviously depends on how well they all are come declarations time.

[Istabraq]

We going with the 20s ante or 10s nrnnb ?

He could run, qualify, and still go for the Coral Cup so I'd be inclined to either split stakes or go NRNB.
The real curve ball is if the UK handicapper keeps him 144, he could win a couple of furlongs in the M Pipe...

[Saxon Warrior]

Does that mean Torygraph can’t now qualify or are there any other options?

The only qualifier left, where entries arent released yet it Chepstow Thursday 25th February.

Entries for that will be released on Saturday after 1pm.

I cannot see Gordon turning down a run for Torygraph at Punchestown the day before, but travelling to Chepstow to run him.

Gordon usually target seasoned hurdlers at the Pertemps, often with prior course form at Cheltenham (Sire du Berlais and The Story teller last season).

The one exception was Delta Work who moved from Novice in Graded races to taking the Punchestown Qualifier (next weeks) before running off 139 and winning by a nose.

With The Bosses Oscar qualified, and Dallas des Pictons and Column Of Fire entered for Punchestown he seems to be sticking to those seasoned hurdlers with Cheltenham form again, when firing his shots in the Pertemps this season.

[ToniC]

DDP at 33s NRNB is a cracking bet isn’t it. He might not have shown much of late, but if he qualified & lines up, there’s absolutely no way he goes off 33s, and righty so. And if he doesn’t, you’re after your money back.

[Spectre]

Anyone fancy getting Lynwood Gold priced up nrnb?

I've been following him wondering when and where he'll turn up and now he's entered here 20/1 nrnb would do very nicely, but only 365 have priced him up.

[Cashew King]

Keith Donoghues Blog (Bookmakers)

Hi Keith, can you tell us what the plan Is for column of fire? Would the coral cup be the aim or will he be entered in a Pertemps qualifier? #AskKeith


Column Of Fire is well, but his reappearance was disappointing overall really and he has to come on from that. He has to qualify for the Pertemps yet, so it's hard to say at the minute where his target lies. He's a nice horse though and if he was to bounce back he could go well in any of the handicaps you mentioned really.

[Cashew King]

Keith Donoghues Blog (Bookmakers)

In your own opinion is 151 too high for The Bosses Oscar to be winning a race like the Pertemps, or do you think he is currently or likely to be close to a grade 1 horse in the future? #AskKeith


This is a good question, Jay, and it's hard to know really. I wouldn't ever have said that he was a Grade One horse and you nearly have to be to win the Pertemps off that kind of mark. He's a good horse though so we'll just have to wait and see. Off this mark I'd still expect a very big run don't get me wrong, but I'd wonder if he is a bit vulnerable so high in the weights as you say.

[Istabraq]

Keith Donoghues Blog (Bookmakers)

Hi Keith, can you tell us what the plan Is for column of fire? Would the coral cup be the aim or will he be entered in a Pertemps qualifier? #AskKeith


Column Of Fire is well, but his reappearance was disappointing overall really and he has to come on from that. He has to qualify for the Pertemps yet, so it's hard to say at the minute where his target lies. He's a nice horse though and if he was to bounce back he could go well in any of the handicaps you mentioned really.

I’m screenshotting this and will pull it out soon after he wins the Pertemps and Elliott confirms a G1 plan next year to the Stayers....

[Craigy14]

I think the thing about The Bosses Oscar is, if you are potentially wary of his weight, then surely the exact same can be said of Imperial Alcazar?

He is only 4lbs lower in the weights and is currently second fav. 4lbs over 3m wouldn’t have too much of an impact in races imo, unless it is a proper proper slog. Also given their own abilities, whoever is better wins regardless of that 4lbs imo. So could both be graded performers?

We know Paddy thinks a lot of IA and the chasing career put on hold to take advantage of his hurdles mark. Was also potential talk of the stayers. TBO we know how good Elliott is at getting the handicaps right so I’m not put off him at all.