Handicap Shortlist - Cheltenham 2020

[Can't Catch Me]

Pic d’orhy entered at Ascot on Saturday

As a Coral Cup backer, I would rather see him in the Betfair Hurdle myself! More chance of protecting his mark in that race than the Ascot one Id say.

 

[billymag]

Is there a bonus for winning both the betfiar hurdle and a race at cheltenham, I know theres one for the imperial cup

 

[Scooby91]

Is there a bonus for winning both the betfiar hurdle and a race at cheltenham, I know theres one for the imperial cup

No, there was one from the race not so sleepy one, to the BF hurdle.

I think never adapt might win the BF. Or I'd have backed her for the county.

 

[billymag]

Cheers yes Never Adapt looks a really nice prospect, just a year too late for me unfortunately, had her at 50/1 for the Triumph, I was there the day she ran at Chelt and looked unraceable. Credit to Nicky theyve done a great job to get her back.

 

[BigChaang]

Champagne Court could be one for yhe Close Brothers. 2 from 2 over fences after today and 4th in this year's Martin pipe so has festival form.

Just started reading back through this thread And saw this post on page 5 ,.
Looks tailor made for it , and taken the 25-1 today with B 365.

 

[Kevloaf]

Paul Nicholls isn't going to be lining up a Jonny De La Hey horse for a festival handicap surely?

He'll make (de la) Hey when the sun shines.



Cash out and back him to win next time out


Owner not arsed about a long term festival handicap winner. (From what I hear)
and trainer well known for targetting races outside the 4 days...



You'll all read this and know I've got a point and then argue with me anyway :concern:

 

[cwright23]

Does anyone think that Gordon might just be getting SDB qualified so he keeps the weight off the storyteller? Surely he knows the English handicapper won’t let him take the piss. Stick SDB in off top weight and might also push the stragglers at the bottom getting a run

 

[Muswell]

Not sure JP is in the habit of helping others win

 

[Quevega]

Not sure JP is in the habit of helping others win

I agree.
But as a trainer or an owner, it's always an advantage to have the top weight, gives you the opportunity to dictate terms a little bit, if required. Probably not be topweight anyway at first entry stage at least.

 

[Liammet]

Does anyone think that Gordon might just be getting SDB qualified so he keeps the weight off the storyteller? Surely he knows the English handicapper won’t let him take the piss. Stick SDB in off top weight and might also push the stragglers at the bottom getting a run

I was thinking this about another jp horse in the race
Dream Berry

 

[Philg123]

Hold the note up 12 to 145!

 

[TCH29]

Brutal rise. Annoying for the Close Bros.

 

[Deleted member 4957]

Brutal rise. Annoying for the Close Bros.

You say that he is at least now guaranteed a spot if he takes this route.
This race has the most congested handicap of them all, 5/6lb usually separates the lot so a 6/7lb rise may have left him too low.
3lb separated top from bottom a couple of years back....
I’d say a revised rating of 145 is a positive for his chances...

 

[Philg123]

Never adapt been given 140!

 

[Philg123]

You say that he is at least bow guaranteed a spot if he takes this route.
This race has the most congested handicap of them all, 5/6lb usually separates the lot so a 6/7lb rise may have left him too low.
I’d say a revised rating of 145 is a positive for his chances...

I’d tend to agree unless he goes up a couple in the coming weeks if his form gets franked.

 

[Quevega]

You say that he is at least now guaranteed a spot if he takes this route.
This race has the most congested handicap of them all, 5/6lb usually separates the lot so a 6/7lb rise may have left him too low.
3lb separated top from bottom a couple of years back....
I’d say a revised rating of 145 is a positive for his chances...

Does he need to run again ?
With him only having completed twice ?
Can't remember.

 

[archie]

He'll get a mark on Tuesday.
It'd be rare for the Handicapper to change existing UK marks without any further evidence.
But it wouldn't surprise me if he gave SDB a 1lb after saturday (just to piss Gordon off)

Seems like the handicapper only publishes marks for UK horses so we don't know what he's done privately for SDB and Silver Sheen. He may tell the trainers I suppose.

Silver Sheen is +9 in Ireland but that only has him on 133 and he won off 130 on Saturday.

 

[Quevega]

Seems like the handicapper only publishes marks for UK horses so we don't know what he's done privately for SDB and Silver Sheen. He may tell the trainers I suppose.

Silver Sheen is +9 in Ireland but that only has him on 133 and he won off 130 on Saturday.

Seems unfair that the handicapper doesn't have to show his cards. Especially for punters.
As I think you're right that Gordon can request the information.

 

[Saxon Warrior]

The Conditional was dropped 2lb to 140 for failing to stay in an attritional 3M5F Handicap won by Kimberlight Candy.

One or two prices clipped for the Ultima and Kim Muir, as 140 with winning course form and a subsequent 2nd place in the Ladbroke/Hennessy may see him turn up in one of those 3M handicaps with good form in similar races.

 

[Can't Catch Me]

The Conditional was dropped 2lb to 140 for failing to stay in an attritional 3M5F Handicap won by Kimberlight Candy.

One or two prices clipped for the Ultima and Kim Muir, as 140 with winning course form and a subsequent 2nd place in the Ladbroke/Hennessy may see him turn up in one of those 3M handicaps with good form in similar races.

Really wish I could bet with Sky

14/1 NRNB for the Ultima looks a great bet.