GB - Cheltenham - Race 3

Thoroughbred

11 Runners

16.8f

Handicap Hurdle

Turf

Good to Soft

34.0K

VIEW

Verdict

FORTUNE DE MER has shaped well in a handicap since winning a Grade 2 novice here in the autumn and can land another course success. Fellow progressive 5-y-os Kel du Large and French Emperor, who like the selection have winning form at this venue, may provide the main opposition.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
4	Good Cheltenham record includes wins in a listed bumper last November and a Grade 2 novice hurdle this autumn. Sound start to his handicap career when second of 7 at Ascot (2m, good) 3 weeks ago. Big player. 1st Pick 4 Fortune De Mer (Ire) Jockey: Harry Skelton Trainer: Dan Skelton J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton	100	-	-	-	34%
Analysis Good Cheltenham record includes wins in a listed bumper last November and a Grade 2 novice hurdle this autumn. Sound start to his handicap career when second of 7 at Ascot (2m, good) 3 weeks ago. Big player.
11	Won all 3 starts in 2023/24 season, including a course listed bumper and a Hereford juvenile hurdle. Off 21 months, lost his unbeaten record but shaped encouragingly given the length of absence when third in Exeter novice hurdle 5 weeks ago. Very interesting handicap newcomer. 2nd Pick 11 Kel Du Large (Fr) Jockey: Ciaran Gethings Trainer: Mrs Jane Williams J: Ciaran Gethings T: Mrs Jane Williams	99	-	-	-	20%
Analysis Won all 3 starts in 2023/24 season, including a course listed bumper and a Hereford juvenile hurdle. Off 21 months, lost his unbeaten record but shaped encouragingly given the length of absence when third in Exeter novice hurdle 5 weeks ago. Very interesting handicap newcomer.
8	Arrives 2-2 in handicap hurdles, both competitive big-field events, latterly at the Open meeting here (heavy) 4 weeks ago. Raised 7 lb but further progress can't be discounted. 3rd Pick 8 French Emperor (Fr) Jockey: Sean Bowen Trainer: Nicky Martin J: Sean Bowen T: Nicky Martin	99	-	-	-	34%
Analysis Arrives 2-2 in handicap hurdles, both competitive big-field events, latterly at the Open meeting here (heavy) 4 weeks ago. Raised 7 lb but further progress can't be discounted.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Sloppy

A wet racetrack condition, typically with a firm base and water settling on top.

Scratch

A horse is a scratch when injury or other necessity causes it to be withdrawn from the race.

Bullet

A bullet, or bullet workout, is a workout that was clocked as the best time for a certain distance on a given day.