2m1f (2m179y) (New) William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
I fancy KARGESE quite strongly for this race. Primarily because she’s a dual-Grade 1 winner, only five, and let in off 141 over the same course and distance she placed second in last year’s Triumph Hurdle behind now skinny Arkle favourite Majborough, 5l ahead of the 148 rated Salver. She also placed second to Sir Gino (157) on her subsequent start at Aintree, with the fresh 135-rated Kalfi Du Berlais (now 152 over fences) – who skipped Cheltenham for that assignment – 14 lengths behind. Obviously none of those were handicaps and she got her 7lb mares’ allowance from all of them, but all those named horses have shown the form to be strong as five-year-olds this season and she looks very well handicapped to me for her handicap debut. This year she’s only had one run, which appears to be a new strategy for Mullins 5yos graduating out of juvenile company, and quotes earlier in the season said she had made a huge physical progression from four to five. I find it quite easy to forgive her comeback at Ascot, where her keen nature might have dissuaded connections from persisting at intermediate trips. Two miles suits her well and I’ve a strong suspicion she will be Paul Townend’s ride in the County Hurdle. Back her now non-runner no bet because that price has so much potential to collapse between now and Friday.
1pt win Kargese @8/1, 14:00 Cheltenham, Friday 14th March (non-runner no bet)
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