Antepost: Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle

I'm going to change tack with the Pertemps and instead of previewing most of the runners who have a chance in the race like other previews, I'm simply going to put up 2 bets in this race at big prices. You'll enjoy this one.

2:10 - 3m - Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle

This isn't the strongest renewal of the Pertemps this season with 10 year old Chantry House heading the market. Whilst he probably has a chance, you wouldn't be scared of him. The same goes for Gaoth Chuil. Springwell Bay is interesting but is skinny enough off a mark of 145. Gabbys Cross is a plodder. Cleatus Poolaw is an obvious unexposed type but only has experience in maiden hurdles. Skinny. Icare Allen is interesting but definitely needs to prove his stamina, Willie Mullins though.

Further down the list there are 2 priced at 33/1 (antepost rules) that have taken my fancy for a long time as Pertemps horses. One qualified a long time ago back in November, and one qualified not long ago. The first one is a selection put up on a blog a couple of months ago suggesting antepost selections at a big price, and I'll stick with him. BOLD ENDEAVOUR is probably his own worst enemy in terms of his handicap mark as he's always so consistent. He's rarely out of the places in all his runs since changing trainer from Laura Morgan to Nicky Henderson, and the handicapper doesn't give him much leeway. 5th in the lucrative Stayers Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on Betfair Chase day, he ran then ran a cracker behind White Rhino at this course in December giving a stone to that lad. A no show at Lingfield off top weight, he was only dropped 1lb since by then handicapper and that's definitely harsh given some of the decisions he's made this year (Sa Majeste 140?!?!). Whilst there isn't much room in his handicap mark off 143, expect him to run a solid race and finish in the money. Perhaps Nicky Henderson could find a decent conditional to take some weight off his back with Freddie Gordon having rode him in his 2nd place defeat at Christmas claiming 5lb. This would give him a better chance to get further up on the podium. He's a cracking each way bet at 33/1.

Talking of the Stayers Handicap Hurdle at Haydock, GOWEL ROAD finished a place infront of Bold Endeavour that day and I think he still has a little wiggle room off 142 although it's likely he'll find a better handicapped horse on the run in. Take your mind back to 2022 and he was a well fancied 2nd favourite to win the Coral Cup. He ran decent that day in atrocious ground and was expected to make up into a decent chaser. He won his novice chase the following season but picked up an injury and wasn't seen for a year. Starting back at Haydock this season, he ran a solid race in 4th off near top weight, and has improved through the season to run consistently including a 7th place finish in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot. Whilst he's not a Grade 1 horse, he shown he could compete against graded animals and has shown he needs every bit of 3 miles now. Two more good runs in a handicap giving lumps of weight away at Lingfield to Nurse Susan, and a 4th place finish to make sure he got qualified at Exeter in bottomless ground under a first time tongue tie. Whilst he wants a little bit of dig in the ground, he doesn't want bottomless ground and will enjoy this test around Cheltenham on slightly better ground. I really fancy him to run well.

If Farouk D'Alene runs, both of these will be on lovely racing weights just above the 11 stone mark and this year except for White Rhino (beaten Bold Endeavour) there doesn't seem to be a potential lurker off a featherweight. With this seemingly average year, it makes sense to side with proven handicap performers with the preference out of the 2 going to Gowel Road who could be a 150 rated hurdler. Given he's still lightly raced, he still has improvement to come. Whilst Bold Endeavour will give you a run for your money whatever.

Bets:

Bold Endeavour - 0.75pts ew @ 33/1 (Bet365)

Gowel Road - 1.5pts ew @ 33/1 (Bet365)

Already Advised:

Dancing City - 1.5pts ew @ 7/1 NRNB - Albert Bartlett (Advised 26/02/2024)

Firefox - 1pt ew @ 7/1 NRNB - Supreme Novices Hurdle (Advised 23/02/2024)

Embassy Gardens - 1pt win @ 5/2 NRNB - National Hunt Chase (Advised 22/02/2024)

Broadway Boy - 1.5pts ew @ 10/1 NRNB - National Hunt Chase (Advised 22/02/2024)

Facile Vega - 1pt win @ 5/1 NRNB - Turners Novice Chase (Advised 18/02/2024)

Ile Atlantique - 1pt win @ 6/1 NRNB - Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle (Advised 16/02/2024)

Predators Gold - 1pt ew @ 20/1 NRNB - Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle (Advised 16/02/2024)

Found A Fifty - 2pts ew @ 6/1 NRNB - Arkle Chase (Advised 16/02/2024)

Galvin - 1.5pts ew @ 9/2 NRNB - Cross Country (Advised 13/02/2024)

You Oughta Know - 1.5pts ew @ 11/1 NRNB - Champion Bumper (Advised 11/02/2024)

Fastorslow - 2pts ew @ 6/1 NRNB - Gold Cup (Advised 05/02/2024)

El Fabiolo - 2pts win @ Evens - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Captain Guinness - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Stay Away Fay - 1pt win @ 5/1 (NRNB) - Brown Advisory (Advised 22/01/2024)

Monty's Star - 0.5pts ew @ 16/1 - Brown Advisory (22/01/2024)

Irish Point - 1pt win @ 6/1 - Stayers Hurdle (Advised 15/01/2024)

Ashroe Diamond - 1.25pts ew @ 7/1 - Mares Hurdle (Advised 10/01/2024)

Appreciate It - 1pt ew @ 14/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)

Banbridge - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)