2m1f (2m179y) (New) McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
PIED PIPER has an ideal profile for this race. He’s a strong traveler who should thrive in a big field handicap and he’s got excellent course form as a two-time Cheltenham winner who was a good third in last year’s Triumph behind this year’s Champion Hurdle fourth, Vauban. It’s his most recent run at Leopardstown where he got within 3l of Honeysuckle and beat the Champion Hurdle fourth Zanahiyr that really stands out. To put that into context, he gave the 165 rated Honeysuckle 7lb, went down just a few lengths and gets in here off 154. Soft ground is no issue for this horse and he’s a big unit who you wouldn’t worry about lumping a relatively big weight around compared to a lot of five-year-olds. He’s better than a handicapper and his last run was the best of his short career.
1pt each-way Pied Piper @16/1, 14:10 Cheltenham, Friday (1-8, 1/5 Sky Bet)
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