The PERTEMPS Network Final Handicap Hurdle

[Big Bucks]

Reading between the lines if he is lining up a claimer for The Bosses Oscar then he wants Jack for Column of Fire...

I thought the COF dream for here was buried?

[Istabraq]

I thought the COF dream for here was buried?

Just realised he wasn’t declared for tomorrow so yes that’s right, dead...

[Can't Catch Me]

Not sure they have a great record CCM, surely a top pro has to be a better option...

Was going to have a look at this today Ista. How many would have had decent chances? Cant imagine there would have been many. I like JK but I think Id rather a talented young kid with 5lb less tbh.

[Istabraq]

Was going to have a look at this today Ista. How many would have had decent chances? Cant imagine there would have been many. I like JK but I think Id rather a talented young kid with 5lb less tbh.

Yeah, you can’t take stats literally as you say there may have been only half a dozen all on 150/1 shots so well worth digging deeper.
Only thing I’d say is that Elliott has pretty much mastered the handicaps so knows what it takes, he is also a creature of habit in terms of prep, so a claimer up top wouldn’t immediately increase my confidence...

[ComplyOrDie]

Good to hear Gordon plans to use a claimer for TBO in this.

More to the point, do we know which claimer he is looking at getting on board?

I see he has been using Jordan Gainford, who claims 7lbs, he's hit a bit of form recently, winning two of his last three rides. He is jocked up on Dallas Des Pictons tomorrow too.

Another option is Hugh Morgan, but he looks as though he rides mostly for Henry de Bromhead, he claims 5lbs currently, and has also hit a bit of form recently, including that great ride on Young Dev over the weekend.

[Saxon Warrior]

Only 6 horses declared for the Chepstow Pertemps Hurdle Qualifier on Thursday (the last qualifier)

Copperhead
Spiritofthegames
Perfect Man
Blackjack Kentucky
Poker Play
Diger Daudaie

If they dont fall, or pull-up then they all qualify for the Final.

[Skysthelimit]

We all know that Skelton is someone to look out for in the handicaps and it looked like he had laid Mohaayed out for this race for the sponsor, who sadly is no longer with us.

One of the last qualifiers for this race is on Thursday and it only has 6 entries so I think this means that they all qualify if they complete.

I like the look of Spiritofthegames at 33/1 NRNB.

Positives

• Hurdles rating is 8lb lower than fences. Off 139 guaranteed to run.
• Finished 3rd in Betfair hurdle so form in big field handicap although much shorter trip (139)
• Has run really well at last three festivals, 5th in County in 2018 (139), 3rd in Plate in 2019 (147) and 6th in Plate (149)
• Has also finished 2nd in big chase at December meeting for the last two years, albeit over 2m4f.

Negatives

• He hasn’t won since 2018 and his wins have been in modest races.
• The trip is a big question mark. He does tend to run on over 2m4f but has only run over 3m once and looked like he didn’t stay.

At 33/1 I think he’s overpriced as he has a lot of things going for him. I think Skelton also has Tommy Rapper qualified but it looks like he may be lining this one for the race.

Hopefully a quiet ride on Thursday and dropped a couple of lb in weights as well.

[Outlaw]

Only 6 horses declared for the Chepstow Pertemps Hurdle Qualifier on Thursday (the last qualifier)

Copperhead
Spiritofthegames
Perfect Man
Blackjack Kentucky
Poker Play
Diger Daudaie

If they dont fall, or pull-up then they all qualify for the Final.

Standing start for 30 seconds nailed on, all qualify but everybody wants to be last

[Istabraq]

Standing start for 30 seconds nailed on, all qualify but everybody wants to be last

Easier said than done but for me there really should be a review on qualification for series races...

[ToniC]

More to the point, do we know which claimer he is looking at getting on board?

I see he has been using Jordan Gainford, who claims 7lbs, he's hit a bit of form recently, winning two of his last three rides. He is jocked up on Dallas Des Pictons tomorrow too.

Another option is Hugh Morgan, but he looks as though he rides mostly for Henry de Bromhead, he claims 5lbs currently, and has also hit a bit of form recently, including that great ride on Young Dev over the weekend.

Hopefully gavin Brouder. Rides a few for Gordon and rode TBO when he won in thurles earlier in the season. Think he’s had a bit off time out injured since Christmas but was slated for a return to the saddle earlier in feb so not sure what’s happening there as he’s still not ridden one since. He’s young enough though so hopefully be back for the festival, one of the best conditionals riding at the moment & gets the full 7 off too

[Istabraq]

Hopefully gavin Brouder. Rides a few for Gordon and rode TBO when he won in thurles earlier in the season

True, but he’s still only 14 career wins and I haven’t heard him being talked about in the same way Jack was as a claimer.
7lb helps obviously but I’m sure the likes of Jack, Rachel and co are better than the 7lb...

[Viking Flagship]

Standing start for 30 seconds nailed on, all qualify but everybody wants to be last

Only Copperhead and SOTG would look to be high enough rated to guarantee a spot in the Final so the other 4 should be trying. At quick glance Poker Play would look the likely winner of the race to me.

[ComplyOrDie]

Hopefully gavin Brouder. Rides a few for Gordon and rode TBO when he won in thurles earlier in the season. Think he’s had a bit off time out injured since Christmas but was slated for a return to the saddle earlier in feb so not sure what’s happening there as he’s still not ridden one since. He’s young enough though so hopefully be back for the festival, one of the best conditionals riding at the moment & gets the full 7 off too

Great shout. Hopefully his confidence is OK, be a big race to go and ride in if confidence is shot to pieces though.

[Outlaw]

Only Copperhead and SOTG would look to be high enough rated to guarantee a spot in the Final so the other 4 should be trying. At quick glance Poker Play would look the likely winner of the race to me.

Poor attempt at humour having not even looked at each horses OR tbh. Copperhead had some major issues this year showing any form of life would be welcome but doubt it will be via hurdle.

[ToniC]

True, but he’s still only 14 career wins and I haven’t heard him being talked about in the same way Jack was as a claimer.
7lb helps obviously but I’m sure the likes of Jack, Rachel and co are better than the 7lb...

Probably are, Rachael deffo & Davy in this race especially were he to be riding, but if they’re going to claim I can’t think who id rather have onboard if I was a backer (I still hope to get him on-side before the race). Maybe Simon torrens but he’s likely to ride one for JP I’d say.

Elliott is a fan of Gavins & has said as much before, he’s well thought of by a few in Ireland gave cracking smart a great ride in the coral cup last year I’d be confident it would be him if he’s not out injured.