There is no more competitive race at the Cheltenham festival than the County Hurdle and this year’s race is certainly no exception. A huge entry means that several of the leading fancies are not even certain to get into the race when the final declarations are made. Top weight is Nicky Henderson’s admirable veteran Petit Robin but the horse could return to fences for the Grand Annual rather than try to defy the welter burden of 11st 12lb. He finished a brave second to Cause of Causes in the Ladbroke at Ascot and fifth in the Betfair at Newbury.
Trainer John Ferguson has decided to run Cotton Mill here rather than go for the Champion Hurdle after finishing second to My Tent Or Yours in the Betfair with Swing Bowler a length and a quarter further back in third. David Pipe’s mare is allowed 4lb but both horses have been raised in the handicap. Swing Bowler is currently languishing at number 43 so will need plenty to drop out to get a run. At last season’s festival, Cotton Mill was still ahead of Simonsig when taking a crashing fall at second last hurdle in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle. He is entitled to run well but it would be a concern if the weights go up further.
Nicky Henderson has plenty of options including impressive Kempton winner Forgotten Voice. This classy sort won the Royal Hunt Cup on the flat and was successful in his first two starts over hurdles before disappointing in soft ground. Clearly the ground is the key to him as he was always travelling best in the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle before sprinting clear to win by five lengths. He has been raised 7lb for that victory and would have a favourites chance if the ground firms up. Henderson could also be represented by Cash And Go who is rapidly emptying his supporters pockets. A highly promising second first time out was followed by an unseated rider in the Ladbroke and a modest seventh behind his stable companion at Newbury. He has been well supported on each occasion but there seemed no obvious reason for his defeat last time out.
Plenty of horses have been backed for this race including the Willie Mullins-trained Tennis Cap and Jonjo O’Neill’s Mr Watson. Both have been raised by the handicapper but could still have a few pounds in hand. Paul Nicholls could run Edgardo Sol who flew up the hill in this race last year, just failing to catch Alderwood. The Champion trainer also has the lightly raced Mr Mole and Ranjaan who is another still capable of improvement. Pipe’s entries also include chase winner Ballynagour, multiple winner Tanerko Emery and the consistent Dan Breen.
Summary
Punters have struggled in this race in recent years and there seem to be a number of progressive hurdlers lining up this year. Forgotten Voice could be well in at the weights but his chances are entirely dependent on good ground. Cotton Mill and Swing Bowler have potentially the best form in the race after their placed efforts in the Betfair Hurdle but you wouldn’t want to see the former carrying too much weight. Mr Watson landed a gamble in some style last time out and could still be competitive off a 12lbs higher mark. Both he and Tennis Cap would be attempting to defy a steep rise in the weights but both like to race prominently and that is the best place to be in this huge field.
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