2m1f (2m179y) (New) BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
This isn’t a deep renewal as it hasn’t attracted a full field and Willie Mullins doesn’t appear to have a Grade 1 horse lurking in the handicap – his best chances have ground concerns. Gordon Elliott has a strong hand here with last year’s unlucky second PIED PIPER having another go and I like his 14/1 odds. Danny Gilligan claims 3lb to puts his weight 2lb below last year’s renewal, and he’s always gone through bad ground so should have no issues at a course he’s got an excellent record at. Elliott fought hard to keep him after his owner sent him to the sales with over €500k changing hands – I might be over-analysing it but it can only be a positive for his immediate future. Elliott also saddles KING OF KINGSFIELD off a very attractive mark of 140 and he’s well worth siding with too. He’s going to get a stone from Pied Piper and, given all his graded form this season, that seems crazy. Deteriorating ground is a concern but the horse appears to stay really well and has gone through soft ground really well this season. He found only the Supreme and Gallagher Hurdle winners too good in a Grade 1 last time out and perfectly fits the archetype for a County winner. L’Eau Du Sud is impossible to rule out for his in-form connections but I doubt he would be able to do what King Of Kingsfield has done in Ireland this season, and only 5lb separates them at the weights.
1pt each-way King Of Kingsfield @13/2, 14:10 Cheltenham, Friday (1-6)
1pt each-way Pied Piper @14/1, 14:10 Cheltenham, Friday (1-6)