County Hurdle Preview - Cheltenham Festival

Published on: 13/03/2020

County Hurdle Preview - Cheltenham Festival

March 13, 2020 14:10pm - Cheltenham

Distance: 2m 179y

Grade: (Grade 3) (Class 1) (5yo+)

Runners: 24

Winner: £56,270

Going: Soft

Race two on Day Four of the Festival is the Randox Health County Hurdle. Originally run as the final race of the week, it was switched to its current slot in 2009. This 2m 1f handicap has a reputation for being highly competitive and a favourite amongst punters looking for big-priced winners.

With three winners in the last four years, Dan Skelton seems to have the measure of this race. His entry, Mohaayed, has not won since late 2018 but is running off a lower mark now and has undergone wind surgery since his last race. Last years winner for the stable came with a similar profile so this makes the eight-year-old an interesting proposition.

Ciel de Niege impressed when landing a place in the Fred Winter on his debut for the yard last year and boosted his claims with a second-place finish in last month`s Betfair Hurdle and should be a contender here despite the extra 4lbs.

Willie Mullins is the only other trainer other than Skelton to have won here since 2014. Leading jockey Barry Geraghty will be on Saint Roi who bounced back from a poor debut to beat Arcadian Sunrise by nine lengths over 2m in January to claim his maiden win. Based on that run, he has to stand a chance here.

JCB Triumph Hurdle Winners - past four years:

2014: Lac Fontana (5) - Daryl Jacob (Paul Nicholls)

2015: Wicklow Brave (6) - Paul Townend (Willie Mullins)

2016: Superb Story (5) - Harry Skelton (Dan Skelton)

2017: Arctic Fire (8) - Paul Townend (Willie Mullins)

2018: Mohaayed (6) - Bridget Andrews (Dan Skelton)

2019: Ch`tibello (8) - Harry Skelton (Dan Skelton)

Latest Betting odds:

Ciel De Neige (9/2), Saint Roi (11/2), Aramon (7/1), Thatsy (10/1), Mohaayed (11/1), Stolen Silver (11/1), Adjali (12/1), Buildmeupbuttercup (16/1), Sir Valentine (20/1), Elusive Belle (20/1), Embittered (20/1), Oakley (25/1), Rathhill (25/1), Tiger Tap Tap (33/1), Zanza (33/1), Moon Over Germany (33/1), Christopher Wood (33/1), Eldorado Allen (33/1), Le Ligerien (50/1), Scaramanga (50/1), Tiger Voice (66/1), Lethal Steps (66/1), Pakens Rock (66/1), Beat The Judge (100/1

By Neil Morris

Published on: 13/03/2020

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (13/03/2020 10:34:51) but are subject to change.