Greatwood Handicap Hurdle 2011

2.20 Cheltenham

Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £56,950

Advice: 1 pt each/way Sanctuaire (14/1 general), Moon Dice (15/2 general), A Media Luz (9/1 general), 2 pts Moon Dice to beat Patesse (6/5 Bet365)

Sanctuaire: Romped home in Fred Winter at 2009 festival and while developing quirkiness since, he retains all ability, as shown when he cantered all over Overturn to win the Scottish Champion Hurdle; In no way beaten when falling in this last year and of major interest despite top weight.

Toploski: Impressed as novice last year, getting better of useful field at Sandown with ease and then bolting up under big penalty from subsequent winner at Newton Abbot; Followed that up with Grade 2 win at Aintree (form behind looks strong) so disappointing to see him run so badly on return  at Ascot, and despite 5lbs claimer now on board, can only be watched.

Brampour: Didn’t quite live up to his potential last season when disappointing at both festivals (according to the reputation he had earned) but took advantage of good mark to win at Ascot when travelling strongly under excellent ride (same jockey on board); Can go well again despite others behind him being either much better weighted or fitter today.

Nearby: Near top class over hurdles, winning Grade 2 handicap with plenty in hand and then coming back to finish close third in County Hurdle; Not achieved anything close to that form over fences, as he’s yet to win a race; Looks exposed.

Jack Cool: Held his head high in two classy contests the last twice, with his third in a Grade 3 hurdle having been boosted on Friday; Should go well on return to handicap company and booking of AP McCoy interesting.

Moon Dice: Made big improvement for drop to this trip in summer, winning ordinary handicap with ease before then making short work of Galway Hurdle field (form been boosted by The Real Article back in fourth since); Top record fresh and should go well here.

Son Of Flicka: Interesting if able to make use of his stamina (second in the Martin Pipe conditional jockeys hurdle at the Festival) but this a far better event and may well find things happening too fast for him; Others preffered.

 

Third Intention: Showed an abundance of potential and talent last season but always let down by an inability to settle, which cost him late on in races; Seventh in Triumph before impressive novice win in calmer waters at Cheltenham; Still too free when sixth in competitive handicap at Ascot latest and of major interest here if able to relax; Player in this.

Kumbeshwar: Not run a bad race over hurdles, coming second in two Grade 1 events after hard fought Cheltenham Festival third of lumpy weight; probably went too hard when well beaten at Ascot and better can be expected today with that behind him.

Via Gailei: Travelled well when close second to Brampour at Ascot and likely that he’s still got something to give for a big field and strong gallop; Could run a big race but a worry that he had a 

run behind him when meeting several at Ascot and more needed.

The Betchworth Kid: Ran a good race in the November handicap for the third year running latest and fourth in Totesport Trophy off a similar mark suggests he has the talent to do something like this; That said, a few might be too quick for him.

Inspector Closeau: Better on quicker ground according to trainer comments today, so seconds in handicap hurdles at Listowel and Galway on heavy ground should be noted, but well behind Moon Dice in Galway Hurdle and needs to improve a lot to take a hand despite the fact that his yard are 2-2 here this week.

Viva Colonia: Landed handicap hurdles at Cartmel and Wetherby before taking easy ground listed contest at Markest Rasen; Disappointed there when sent f favourite for a better race and this far tougher.

Palawi: Developed into useful hurdler when winning twice last season and set to take a decent hand in Aintree Grade 1 before falling; Well held on comeback through and despite low weight on that form, passed over.

Oldrik: Got no luck at all when tenth in Country hurdle at the 2010 Festival , that following his second in the Imperial Cup; Never quite getting into things when fifth in 2010 renewal of Listed Ascot handicap hurdle and might find this too tough despite flat tune up.

A Media Luz: Very smart filly on flat in France, winning her first 2 starts before runner up in a Group 3 at Saint Cloud and excellent sixth in the Prix Vermille; Not quite gotten used to jumping yet (mainly because she’s not learned how to settle) but travelled like a dream behind Brampour and fitness for that run, along with pull in weights, should see her go well; Chance taken that she gets up the hill but might be worth doing so.

Patesse: Had a lot to offer this season in hindsight based on his good form last season when second to Via Galilei and third in Imperial Cup, but still left impression of major improver when bolting up at Sandown 8 days ago; These are much fiercer waters but yard have superb record in this race and no surprise to see him go very close.

Abergavenny: Unbeaten over hurdles, 3 from 3 in weak novice hurdles (twice long odds on and never troubled much) decent Cesarawitch run will put him spot on but this could be too rough.

Olofi: Been prepared for this with tune up run in France and only beaten 7 lengths in this last season; Tmepting off same mark for all his lost his way a little bit afterwards.

Andhaar: Showed good attitude to take two novice hurdles on spin and so nearly made it a hat trick under penalty in decent event at Doncaster but easily held when stepped up in class and this too hard again.

Eightybarackstreet: Easy to pass over as he’s disappointed twice since last win and baldy weighted in any case.

Ultimate: Gained a deserved win when making a nice start to chasing, beating classy Australia Day with ease; Worry that he’ll be far more hassled here and left alone for that reason.

Harry Tricker: Reached peak with Greatwood Hurdle second in 2009/10 season and did respectably when sent over fences last season, winning twice; Unplaced on last jumps run and flat figures don’t look too inspiring either.

Alazan: Couldn’t win a class three handicap off 125 here last month so no reason why he should go well.

VERDICT: For all that is lacks a proper champion hurdle contender, this is a terrific betting race. Four top weights have won in the last decade and SANCTUAIRE, going well in last year’s renewal before falling three out, must have a proper chance if settling well, and a big field should provide enough cover for him and his inform team. A chance is taken that A MEDIA LUZ can get up the hill if settling after travelling like a dream on her seasonal debut – She settled better than she previously ever had over hurdles – and the weight pull, along with the fitness she should have gained from that. MOON DICE is the last one against the field, who was deeply impressive when fairly romping away with the Galway Hurdle and goes well fresh here, can beat Patesse and Jack Cool while Brampour, Third Intention, and Toposlki are all good enough to win this if settling.