14:00 Cheltenham Tips: Kargese could be a cut above

The first handicap race on day four at Cheltenham is the County Handicap Hurdle over two miles and a furlong and it promises to be a thriller between some experienced performers.

Willie Mullins has bagged this race seven times since 2010, while he and Dan Skelton (4) have combined to win nine of the last 10 renewals between them. Below is my runner-by-runner guide for the County Hurdle along with two selections. 

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County Hurdle Guide

Daddy Long Legs (Willie Mullins/Sean O'Keefe) 22/1

Finished second to State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle last month but that race fell apart. He was a Grade 3 scorer at Tipperary in October over further but appears handicapped to the hilt.

Absurde (Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins) 5/1

Benefitted from an ice-cool Paul Townend ride to win this race 12 months ago from an 8lb lower mark. Fifth in the Melbourne Cup when last spotted in November, but has to be a worry that the stable jockey has looked elsewhere.

Fils D'oudairies (Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing) 33/1

Five-time hurdles winner, though not since October 2023 in a three-runner Tipperary Grade 3. Has raced exclusively in graded company since and could fare better back in a handicap.

Ethical Diamond (Willie Mullins/Patrick Mullins) 14/1

Down the field in the Triumph Hurdle here last season but returns after winning a Punchestown maiden (2m) in good style last month. Much more needed if he's going to defy this rating.

Pinot Gris (Gavin Cromwell/Keith Donoghue) 16/1

Winner of a Naas novice hurdle in November and narrowly found just one too good at Leopardstown over Christmas in a handicap off 132 having forced the pace. May do better.

Hansard (Gary & Josh Moore/Caoilin Quinn) 14/1

Won a decent Newbury handicap last season at this sort of trip and ran well in the Kingwell at Wincanton last month behind what turned out to be the Champion Hurdle one-two. First-time cheekpieces here and has a chance.

Kargese (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) 11/4

Second in the Triumph Hurdle here last season and followed home Sir Gino at Aintree before picking up a second Grade 1 at Punchestown. Denied by Take No Chances on seasonal return at Ascot, with that rival taking bronze in the Mares' Hurdle here on Tuesday. Stiffer test will suit and Townend has given the nod.

Ndaawi (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) 14/1

Made the frame in the Fred Winter at this meeting last year and was second in the Galway Hurdle in August off a mark of 134. Off since a poor run in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in the autumn.

Cracking Rhapsody (Ewan Whillans/Craig Nicol) 28/1

Comes here off the back of winning the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso at the start of this month, will have to defy a 5lb penalty in attempting the Festival follow-up.

McLaurey (Emmet Mullins/Mark Walsh) 7/1

Well-backed on handicap bow at Leopardstown and justified to win a Listed event at last month's Dublin Racing Festival. More progress will be needed from this 16lb higher mark.

Our Champ (Chris Gordon/Freddie Gordon) 33/1

Bagged a decent prize at Ascot over 1m7½f in November, but limitations perhaps exposed in three runs since and has a job on to defy this mark.

Valgrand (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton) 13/2

Trainer has won this race four times since 2016 and his lone contender has to be respected. Winner of a Grade 2 Supreme Trial by 17 lengths here in October, he's been well held in both handicap starts, including here in December, but could raise his game dramatically from this 3lb lower mark now.

Lark In The Mornin (Joseph O'Brien/JJ Slevin) 9/2

Winner of the Fred Winter here last March in good style off a mark 10lb lower than this, he's only been spotted twice since (winless), but there could be a big run in him.

Irish Panther (Eddie & Patrick Harty/Cian Cullinan) 14/1

Improved form in two starts for this trainer, twice making the frame at Leopardstown including when just over a length third behind McLaurey last month. A 9lb rise for that seems excessive.

Spirit D'aunou (Gary & Josh Moore/Caoilin Quinn) 40/1

He has winning form at this trip, but his best efforts in more recent times have come over further. His declining mark is of some help but he'll need a few to underperform.

Norman Fletcher (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) 50/1

Promised plenty as a novice over timber but hasn't really delivered as expected. He has run some good races this season, including a win at Huntingdon (2m) in November and he isn't badly treated should this rise in trip suit him.

Verdict 

Kargese @ 11/4 & Hansard @ 14/1

Two trainers have enjoyed a stranglehold on this race, with Willie Mullins (five) and Dan Skelton (four) landing nine of the last 10 renewals.

The latter saddles potential improver Valgrand now, but Mullins’ KARGESE essentially has the form in the book and so is favoured despite a 7lb higher mark. She was second in the Triumph here last season, not disgraced in second when tangling with Sir Gino at Aintree and bagged a second Grade 1 novice prize at Punchestown to round off a busy spring.

Denied at odds-on in her January comeback at Ascot, she perhaps needed that run and the winner did the form no harm by placing in the Mares' Hurdle on Tuesday. Paul Townend can notch back-to-back wins in this race.

HANSARD could be the best of the British contingent for the Moore team and his Wincanton run last month looks all the better now.

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