3m (2m7f213y) (New) Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
I think this is a cracking renewal of the race. Clearly Dan Skelton has targeted Supremely West at this race for many months and he is feared having run third in a stayers hurdle behind Ma Shantou late last year. The fact he is now 2lbs lower feels pretty scummy, but I’m just not convinced he is that good.
C’EST DIFFERENT is at the right end of the handicap running off a mark of 131, but he looks hugely progressive for Sam Thomas who has only got a select few running this week at Cheltenham. C’est Different has risen almost 40lbs after four handicap victories, but he has pissed up in all four of them and looks hugely exciting with the potential to be a graded performer if he carries on like this. I like everything about him. How he travels, how he jumps and he stays really well so whilst this is an incredibly competitive race, he is a confident selection.
Bold Endeavour finished fourth in this in 2024 and is clearly well-handicapped for Nicky Henderson who has been doing well in the handicaps this week, but having been 25/1 a week ago, his price is now too short for me at 9/1.
Each of Electric Mason and Ace Of Spades have had a good season and could both win here, both both of them are worse off with Supremely West. Staffordshire Knot could also run really well off topweight but Elliott horses are running below par at the moment so I’ll take a different formline into the race and go with the other rapidly improving hurdler here in ABSOLUTELY DOYEN who has been on the upgrade for Paul Nicholls having been raised 22lbs for five consecutive wins in a row.
Absolutely Doyen is another where it’s hard to know where his ceiling lies so he could certainly still be on the right side of the handicapper and whilst a novice hasn’t won this contest since 2018, it was won by novices three years in a row back then and he will like the ground so should be able to make his presence felt here at odds of 14/1.
1pt win C’est Different @8/1, 16:40 Cheltenham, Thursday
1pt win Absolutely Doyen @14/1, 16:40 Cheltenham, Thursday