Pertemps Final 2024

Here my detailed assessment of the Pertemps Final 2024 including looking at the last 10 winners and an assessment of each of the qualifiers for this year's race. My 1-2-3-4 selections are at the end. The maximum field size is 24 so there will be some hard luck stories in terms of making the cut and I have assessed the merits of each potential runner based on ground no worse than soft and no quicker than good-soft.

Last 10 Previous winners Analysis

2023 – Good Time Jonny – Tony Martin / Liam McKenna (5). Rating 142 (5th highest). Qualified from Leopardstown, finishing 3rd (Liam McKenna claimed 7). Profile: Was basically exposed but very well plotted up by Tony Martin. 2 previous festival runs (Bumper, Albert Bartlett).

2022 – Third Wind – Hughie Morrison / Tom O’Brien. Rating 141 (8th highest). Qualified from Warwick, finishing 3rd off a rating of 146. Profile: 4th in 2020 Pertemps Final. Won Rendelsham in 2021 but not quite good enough for top staying races. Last run before winning was a distant 3rd in the Rendelsham for which he was dropped 3lbs.

2021 – Mrs Milner – Paul Nolan / Brian Cooper. Rating 134 (16th highest). Qualified from Leopardstown, finishing 4th (previously finished 2nd to On The Blind Side in a listed handicap hurdle at Cheltenham on first try at 3 miles). Profile: 2nd season hurdler who was well treated on her listed 2nd and went on to win a listed mares’ hurdle.

2020 – Sire Du Berlais – Gordon Elliott / Barry Geraghty. Rating 152 (Highest). Qualified from Warwick, finishing 4th. Previous year’s winner.

2019 – Sire Du Berlais – Gordon Elliott / Barry Geraghty. Rating 145 (3rd highest). Qualified from Leopardstown, finishing 6th. Finished 4th in previous year’s Martin Pipe.

2018 – Delta Work – Gordon Elliott / Davy Russell. Rating 139 (13th highest). Qualified from Punchestown, finishing 3rd. Profile: Unexposed novice. First run at Cheltenham

2017 – Presenting Percy – Patrick Kelly / Davy Russell. Rating 146 (2nd highest). Qualified from Punchestown, finishing 4th. Profile: Unexposed novice. First run at Cheltenham

2016 – Mall Dini – Patrick Kelly / Davy Russell. Rating 139 (13th highest). Qualified from Leopardstown, finishing 4th. Profile: Unexposed novice. First run at Cheltenham.

2015 – Call The Cops – Nicky Henderson / Andrew Tinkler. Rating 133 (15th highest). Qualified from Kempton, finishing 4th. Second season hurdler who, with hindsight, was significantly underrated by the handicapper. First run at Cheltenham.

2014 – Fingal Bay – Philip Hobbs / Richard Johnson. Rating 148 (Highest). Qualified from Exeter, winning. Profile: High class novice hurdler who went back over the smaller obstacles after an abortive novice chase spell. Previously won Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham.


Pertemps Qualifier Analysis 23/24


Cheltenham 28.10.2023

1st Hyland (129). Midfield, headway after 8th, disputing second 3 out, led run-in, stayed on, and ridden out. Subsequent form: 36; Current mark: 135. Confident ride by Nico, always know he had leader covered and not overly extended to win. Convincing winner of this qualifier but subsequently beaten twice off 135 (albeit not far) – potentially to keep him ticking over but protect his mark.

2nd Judicial Law (130) Midfield, steady headway after 3 out, went third approaching last, went second run-in, stayed on. Subsequent form: 85; Current mark: 132. Never close enough to challenge winner but did get up the hill pretty well. Well held at Cheltenham next time and then 5th to Emitom off 133 (beaten 8L conceding 1lb). Might go better on spring ground but mark looks high enough.

3rd Flight Deck (142) slowly away, midfield, headway 2nd, pressed leader after 6th, led after 7th, went clear 9th, headed run-in, soon no extra. Subsequent form: 37; Current mark: 144. Went off too quick, caught at final hurdle by winner and faded into 3rd. Also has a Stayers Hurdle entry. 3rd to Dashel Drasher and Paisley Park in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and then last of 7 in Cleeve (beaten 23L). Profile similar to Third Wind but on a career high mark and already 10 years old (age trend).

4th Dubrovnik Harry (125) Raced wide, held up in rear, steady headway from 3 out, stayed on run-in, and went fourth inside final 110yds. Subsequent form: 03; Current mark: 126. Came up hill best of the first 4 (together with winner who wasn’t hard ridden). Well beaten at Haydock but encouraging 3rd at Sandown last time out and remains on a workable mark. Debatable whether he gets in but if he does, he could run a good race under a light weight (but will likely find a few too good).

Old Course, good-soft, slow by 21.27s (very comparable to Butch in the next race who is now rated 141)

Hyland is the one to take out of this qualifier – they have kept him ticking over with 2 runs (last time over 2m3f) and he get in just 6lbs higher than his very convincing qualification run. Wouldn’t want the ground too juicy.



Newbury 09.11.2023

1st Young Butler (121) Travelled strongly, raced in second, not fluent 3 out, shaken up and led before 2 out, ridden and sustained duel with runner-up run-in, soon edged right, kept on gamely. Not run subsequently. Current mark 127. Came well clear of the others with Emitom and found a bit more last 100 yards. Runs in a 3 mile handicap hurdle at Newbury March 1st so may not run in the final.

2nd Emitom (127) Midfield, steady headway before 3 out, went second approaching last, ridden and sustained duel with winner run-in, soon carried right, no extra inside final 110yds. Subsequent form P21. Current mark 137. Got bumped when pulled up but much better when 2nd at Ludlow and beat Kyntara decisively back at Newbury on last run. Up 5lbs for that win to 137 but that still looks workable given what he achieved earlier in his career and he looks rejuvenated by Alan King. Big player.

3rd Bold Endeavour (143) Jumped slightly right throughout, took keen hold, led, headed before 2 out, lost second approaching last, weakened final furlong. Subsequent form 526. Current mark 143. Also has a Stayers Hurdle entry. Came 5th in 2023 Coral Cup at the festival off a mark of 140. Is a regular in Class 1 or 2 handicap hurdles, usually carrying top weight. Might appreciate less weight on his back in the final if he runs and could snag a place if delivering a career best.

4th Hititi (130) (Towards rear, headway from 4 out, disputing third 3 out, lost ground approaching last, weakened run-in). NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL.

Good-soft, slow by 24.38s.

I think both Emitom and Bold Endeavour are the ones to take from this qualifier and both look competitive for the final. Young Butler could certainly be added to the list based on how he runs March 1st. Emitom goes on any ground, the other 2 might struggle if it is too soft.


Aintree 11.11.2023

1st Gentleman At Arms (124) In touch with leaders, headway and went third last (usual 3 out), went second and challenging passing omitted 2 out, led narrowly just after omitted last, soon ridden, stayed on. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL.

2nd Iwilldoit (140) Prominent, raced in second halfway, led last (usual 3 out), headed just after omitted last, soon ridden, no extra towards finish. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

3rd Icare Allen (142) towards rear, smooth headway 2 out, went third just after omitted last, soon no impression. Not run subsequently. Very tenderly ridden to finish a close 3rd (closed again on leading pair in final furlong) and it will be interesting to see what mark he gets for the final. Anything close to the 142 he ran off here will be interesting but having finished only 17th in the Coral Cup last year off 145 he will be by no means “chucked in”. Allotted mark 142.

4th Starzov (126) towards rear, headway and disputing third passing omitted last, weakened final 1f. Subsequent form 0. Current rating 119. Hard to see him getting in to the race. Allotted mark 125.

Soft – 3 hurdles in straight omitted. Slow by 42.14s.

Obviously Icare Allen is the one to take from this qualifier as he travelled very powerfully under a tender ride. Starzov looks exposed and was well behind at Leopardstown the last day.


Kempton 13.11.2023

1st Dargiannini (136) made all, mistake 5th, ridden after 2 out, clear last, kept on well. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

2nd Copper Coin (131) towards rear but in touch with leaders, headway 3 out, went second 2 out, soon outpaced and no chance with winner. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

3rd Cobblers Dream (136) Prominent, disputing second before 2 out, weakening when not fluent last. Subsequent form P. Current mark 131. Also entered in Coral Cup. Won Lanzarote Hurdle and then came 2nd to Banbridge in Martin Pipe in 2022 (off a mark of 136). Never run over 3 miles (qualifier was 2m5f) but if the step up brings about improvement he could be dangerous off 131.

4th Irish Hill (131) raced in second, lost position 2 out, weakened before last. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

Good, slow by 18.33s.

Only Cobblers Dream is entered for the final. He has never run over 3 miles but he does have that important previous festival experience with his Martin Pipe 2nd. Also entered in Coral Cup but would need plenty to come out of that (currently #60 and 50/1) so the Pertemps (#25) may be his race.


Market Rasen 23.11.2023

1st Itchy Feet (138) Prominent, lost ground and chased clear leader after 3rd, headway after 7th, went second before 4 out, not fluent 4 out, led after last, soon pushed along, kept on. Subsequent form 7. Current mark 138. Clear winner after a last hurdle blunder by Giovanni Change. A moderate 7th at Huntingdon may well have been a prep run for this but he was only 11th off a mark of 143 last year and it is hard to imagine he is improving at his age.

2nd Giovanni Change (126) Led, clear after 3rd, reduced lead after 7th, pushed along when mistake last, soon headed, no extra 1f out. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

3rd Le Milos (146) in rear but in touch with leaders, headway before 3 out, lost ground after 2 out, weakened run-in. Subsequent form 0. Current mark 142 (150 chase rating). Also has entries in Ultima Chase and Festival Plate. Connections always warrant respect in festival handicaps and seem to be leaning towards the Pertemps Final for him. Has never run at the festival and his only previous visit to Cheltenham saw him finish last of 10 in an intermediate hurdle for Tim Vaughan. His main target is the Grand National again.

4th Spike Jones (119) In touch with leaders, headway before 3 out, disputing third when bad mistake 2 out, soon sprawled on landing and lost ground, not recover. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

Good-soft, slow by 42.8s

Passing over Itchy Feet due to his age and Le Milos will be focused on Aintree.


Punchestown 26.11.2023

1st Jody Ted (115) Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, pressed leaders 5 out, hit 3 out, ridden after 2 out, led and went clear on near side of group before last, ran on, eased towards finish. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL.

2nd Gabbys Cross (123) Soon towards rear, headway on inner after 3 out, in touch with leaders when not fluent 2 out, bit short of room and prominent when switched left before last, went second when mistake last, ridden and ran on run-in, no match for winner. Not run since. Current mark 127 (chase 140). Made good headway late in the race and in the end got pretty close to the winner. Possibilities if going to the final although only run outside Ireland was when unseating in last year’s Grand National (not entered this year). Allotted mark 133.

3rd Alpesh Amin (116) didn’t always jump with fluency, pressed leader early, lost second but prominent 7th, went second again before 3 out, lost second when mistake last, kept on, just held third. Subsequent form: 21. Current mark 125. Has run well over shorter since qualifying (both races 2m5f on heavy ground). Would need it really testing to figure in the final. Allotted mark 130.

4th Popova (125) Held up in rear, mistake 6th, headway when mistake 3 out, went fourth and ran on after last, not reach leaders. Not run since. Current mark 125. Did well to qualify in 4th on her first try at 3 miles and is potentially unexposed at the trip. Might improve for better ground. Allotted mark 132.

Soft, slow by 42.40s

The Henry de Bromhead pair Gabbys Cross and Popova are the ones to take out of this – albeit that neither has been done any favours by the British handicapper. Gabbys Cross does look exposed and took advantage of a much lower hurdles rated compared to his chase mark (and is a 9YO) so Popova probably the one with a view to the final.


Sandown 09.12.2023

Ignoring this race as none of the first 4 are entered for the final.


Carlisle 17.12.2023

1st Howlingmadmurdock (137) In touch with leaders in centre of group, not fluent 5th, smooth headway and went second before 2 out, led and quickened clear when not fluent last, ridden briefly run-in, easily. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL.

2nd Ramo (123) Led, hit 7th, headed and lost second 8th, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied from 2 out, kept on run-in, went second final 110yds NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL.

3rd Prairie Dancer (139) Raced wide, prominent, went second 8th, led narrowly 9th, pushed along and faced challenge 2 out, ridden and headed before last, weakened run-in, lost second final 110yds. Not run since. Also entered in Coral Cup. Allotted mark 138.

4th Court Dreaming (115) Held up in last, pushed along briefly after 3rd, struggling after 7th, reminders after 8th, no chance before 2 out, rallied and went modest fourth run-in, never dangerous NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

Good to soft, slow by 39.57s

Prairie Dancer looked like the winner until 2 out then got very tired on his first try at 3 miles. He is also entered in the Coral Cup and I wonder about his stamina for the final.


Wincanton 26.12.2023

1st Goshhowposh (121) In touch with leaders, on outer but headway after 3 out, led but idled and jumped right 2 out, jumped right last, stayed on, ridden out. Subsequent form: P – ran in the Exeter qualifier but was pulled up (“Midfield, lost position and towards rear 5th, rallied and in touch with leaders after 7th, weakened 2 out, pulled up last (trainer could offer no explanation for the poor form shown other than gelding stopped quickly”)) Current mark 127.

2nd Shallow River (121) In touch with leaders, headway after 3 out, went third after 2 out, went second after last, stayed on. Subsequent form: 31. Current mark 128.

3rd Sabrina (126) Prominent, pressed leaders before 2 out, lost second after last, no extra towards finish. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL.

4th Hunting Percival (113) Led narrowly or disputed lead, headed before 2 out, weakened run-in. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

Good to soft, slow by 56.94s. This looked a poor qualifier on paper and the time was very slow. Of the 2 entered for the final, only Goshhowposh makes a little appeal based on 2 wins from 4 starts and the inexplicable poor show last time (nudge, wink).


Leopardstown 28.12.2023

1st Gaoth Chuil (123) towards rear, steady headway after 3 out, challenging going best when not fluent last, ridden to lead but faced challenges run-in, kept on well. Subsequent form: 2. Current mark 133. Allotted mark 136.

2nd Farouk D’Alene(145 with 7lb claimer riding) Prominent, pressed leader after 4th, led and ridden before last, ridden when headed but kept on well run-in, just held. Not run since. Current mark 150. Allotted mark 154.

3rd Nine Graces (125) Raced wide, held up in rear, steady headway after 3 out, ridden when challenging but no extra towards finish. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

4th Foxy Jacks (123 with 5lbs claimer) Led, not fluent 4th, mistake when faced challenge 2 out, headed then lost two places before last, kept on well. Not run since. Current mark 125. Allotted mark 131. Also entered in the Cross Country Chase.

Heavy, slow by 55.7s

The winner looks the one to take out of this. She did it really well and subsequently ran a fine 2nd to Maxxum at the DRF. She has been allotted 133 which means 10lbs higher than when winning the qualifier and Ted Walsh worries she might not have the speed – but that is probably just bluffing. She has only run outside of Ireland once, PU at Aintree. Foxy Jacks looks crazy well in on his hurdles rating but he has been for a couple of years and just doesn’t seem to be able to run to the same level over the smaller obstacles. Likely to go Cross Country rather than here.


Warwick 13.01.2024

1st J’ai Froid (125) Pressed leader, ridden after 3 out, 2 lengths down last, led run-in, stayed on. Subsequent form: 4 (Haydock qualifier). Current mark 129.

2nd Kyntara (124) pressed leaders, led narrowly after 1st, 2 lengths ahead when hit last, stumbled badly, headed run-in, stayed on. Subsequent form: 2. Current mark 131.

3rd Shallow River (121) Held up in rear, some headway 5th, in touch with leaders 8th, went third last, stayed on. Subsequent form: 1 (won Exeter qualifier). Current mark 128.

4th Martha Brae (128) Prominent, disputing third and ridden after 3 out, weakened run-in. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

Soft, slow by 33s.

A very interesting qualifier in so far as the first 3 home have contested multiple qualifiers this season and regularly been on the premises. J’ai Froid showed dogged determination to get up and win although Kyntara looked the most likely winner until stumbling badly after the last flight. J’ai Froid comes out just about best on their current ratings.


Huntingdon 25.01.2024

1st Beachcomber (120 with 7lb claimer) Prominent, went second 6th, led narrowly after 7th, led clearly before 3 out, edged right approaching last, drifted right but kept on well run-in, comfortably. Not run since. Current mark 127. Unexposed novice who sometimes has his own ideas about the game (tried to run out at Catterick). Ran in 2023 Champion Bumper (2nd last).

2nd Loup De Maulde (123 with 3lb claimer) Travelled strongly, midfield, headway and in touch with leaders when not fluent 8th, prominent 9th, went second 3 out, kept on from 2 out, no match for winner. Subsequent form: 4. Current mark 125. Looks thoroughly exposed and not good enough.

3rd White Rhino (129) In touch with leaders, went third after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra approaching last. Not run since. Current mark 129. Not been out of the first 3 in 8 runs since going handicapping. 129 may not be the ceiling of his ability and he is respected.

4th Chantry House (145) Midfield, in touch with leaders after 9th, went fourth before 2 out, kept on. Not run since. Current mark 143. Carefully ridden to qualify but mark is plenty high enough and the age stat is against him.

Good-soft, slow by 28.22s.

Although Chantry House is prominent in the betting, I think Beachcomber and White Rhino are the two to take from this race. Both interesting for the final if they get in.


Musselburgh 04.02.2024

1st Curley Finger (117) Made all, ridden after 2 out, jumped right and faced challenge last, kept on well. Subsequent form 1. Current mark 120 +5lb penalty if he runs. All out to win off 120 at Doncaster and looks up against it if getting in.

2nd Springwell Bay (143) Midfield, headway before 3 out, bit short of room and switched left just before 3 out, went second approaching last, challenging last, ridden run-in, kept on well, just held. Not run since. Current mark 145. Unexposed and looks a spring horse. Current mark offers possibilities and he is towards the head of the market.

3rd Hector Javilex (133) Prominent, not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced and ridden, kept on well final 110yds, went third final strides. Not run since. Current mark 133. Finished 19th in the 2023 final and makes little appeal just 1lb lower.

4th Anna Bunina (140 with 5lb claimer) towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on run-in. Not run since. Current mark 140. Allotted mark 140. Also entered in Mares Hurdle and Coral Cup and looks to be high enough in the ratings. 9th in County Hurdle 2023 off 142, 8th in County Hurdle 2022 off 135.

Soft, slow by 20.9s.

Springwell Bay look the one to take out of this race and he should be on the premises in the final.


Exeter 11.02.2024

1st Shallow River (125) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, ridden 3 out, pressed leaders 2 out, 1 1/2 lengths third last, stayed on to lead towards finish. Not run since. Current mark 128.

2nd Hititi (137) In touch with leaders, went second after 7th, led 2 out, faced challenges last, hung right run-in, headed towards finish. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL.

3rd Mill Green (140) Midfield, headway before 3 out, challenging last, hampered run-in, no extra towards finish. Not run since. Current mark 140.

4th Gowel Road (143) Prominent, outpaced 2 out, stayed on and went fourth run-in. Not run since. Current mark 142.

Heavy, slow by 58.1s.

Shallow River gets a merit badge for having run in 3 qualifiers and qualified from all of them but he shouldn’t be troubling the judge off a career-high mark of 128. Gowel road has finished down the field in the last two Coral Cups and has shown little to think that this longer trip will bring about more success. All in all a poor qualifier that will have no bearing on the final.


Haydock 17.02.2024

1st Cuthbert Dibble (133 with 5lb claimer) towards rear but in touch with leaders, midfield after 6th, headway after 4 out, led 3 out, soon pushed along, not fluent 2 out, 3 lengths ahead when ridden approaching last, ran on well run-in, much reduced lead towards finish, all out. Not run since. Current mark 139. Also entered in Coral Cup and Martin Pipe. Stayed on dourly on heavy Haydock ground to win on his first attempt at 3 miles.

2nd Lord Snootie (122) In touch with leaders, short of room on inner and lost position after 4 out, soon pushed along, rallied and headway after 3 out, went second and ridden run-in, ran on well inside final 110yds, just failed. Not run since. Current mark 125. Unlikely to get in the final.

3rd Yes Day (121) Prominent, not fluent 5th, hit 6th, ridden after 3 out, no extra run-in. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL.

4th J’Ai Froid (129) Led, mistake and pushed along 4 out, soon joined, headed and ridden from 3 out, no impression from 2 out, not fluent last (vet said gelding lost his left-fore shoe). Not run since. Current mark 129.

Heavy, slow by 56.7s

The one to take from this race is Cuthbert Dibble who stayed on resolutely through the Haydock mud. He will need rain to increases his chances and 139 is not exactly lenient, but he is unexposed and the Twister has 2 wins in the final to his name.


Chepstow 24.02.2024

1st Classic Concorde (118) Made all, not fluent 7th, increased tempo before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, soon went clear, reduced lead when good jump last, ridden and kept on well run-in, comfortably. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

2nd Supremely West (120 with 5lb claimer) Held up in rear, cajoled along 5th, outpaced and pushed along 7th, detached and struggling 8th, rallied but still plenty to do home turn, good headway 2 out, ridden and chased clear leader approaching last, stayed on run-in, no extra towards finish. Not run since. Current mark 124.

3rd Bells of Peterborough (120) In touch with leaders, pushed along and headway before 2 out, soon chased clear leader, hung right and lost second approaching last, weakened run-in.

4th Monmiral (139 with 5lb claimer) Midfield, good headway on near side of group 3 out, hung badly left and outpaced after 2 out, no impression approaching last, weakened run-in. Not run since. Current mark 138.

Heavy, slow by 26.11s.

Monmiral is the one to take from this race as he looked to be relatively quietly ridden by Freddie Gingell with top weight. This is his only entry at the festival and, although he couldn’t go grade 1 pace in the Liverpool hurdle last spring he was band there until 2 out. Could be dangerous down in class and he is not being mentioned by Nicholls on any of his previews – maybe trying to sneak him in under the radar?


Naas 25.04.2024

1st Noble Birth (117 with 3lb claimer) In touch with leaders, headway and prominent 4 out, challenging 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on. Not run since. Allotted mark: 129

2nd Cleatus Poolaw (130 with 5lb claimer) briefly disputed lead, prominent before 2nd, pressed leaders 2 out, went second and kept on from last, no match for winner. Not run since. Allotted mark 139

3rd Desertmore House (125) didn’t always jump with fluency, prominent on inner early, midfield when not fluent 8th, headway before 2 out, went third run-in, no match for first two. NOT ENTERED FOR FINAL

4th Emancipator (117 with 7lb claimer) Prominent, pressed leader after 8th, lost position when mistake 2 out, soon no impression. Not run since. Allotted mark 121.

Soft, slow by 43.6s

Just one to take from this race and that is Cleatus Poolaw who is an unexposed novice and wasn’t asked for maximum effort when finishing a good 2ndon just his 4th start over hurdles – albeit over 2m 6 ½ furlongs so his stamina for 3 miles is not yet proven. He is also entered in the Coral Cup and Martin Pipe.


List of horses from qualifiers:

Hyland (135) – 20/1 PLAYER!!

Emitom (137) – 25/1 PLAYER!!

Bold Endeavour (143) – 33/1 possible place

Icare Allen (142) – 8/1 PLAYER!!

Cobblers Dream (131) – 50/1 likely to find a few too good

Popova (132) – 25/1 possible place

Gaoth Chuil (136) – 8/1 trainer concerned she won’t have the speed

J’ai Froid (129) – 40/1 likely to find a few too good

Kyntara (131) – 16/1 possible place

Beachcomber (127) – 25/1 possible place

White Rhino (129) – 14/1 PLAYER!!

Springwell Bay (145) – 12/1 – shorter for this than other races – likely runner

Cuthbert Dibble (139) – 14/1 would need it bottomless

Monmiral (138) – 25/1 might run else where

Cleatus Poolaw (139) – 8/1 will he stay 3 miles?


Selections:

1st Icare Allen - just looked to have heaps in hand in his qualifier and has been given a nice mark

2nd Emitom - rejuvenated under Alan KIng and has some very classy hurdles form to his name

3rd Hyland - very easy winner of the Cheltenham qualifier and has been kept ticking over since

4th White Rhino - shrewd team and has good Cheltenham record

 

I know - I left my assessment of him in there as a tribute (see also Friday‘s DT). His battle with Emitom up the Newbury straight was so tenacious and I think he could have run a big race in the final.

 

White Rhino didn‘t get in and it would take a brave man to back a Henderson runner so Icare Allen win, Emitom ew and the forecast will be my play.