GB - Cheltenham - Race 5

Thoroughbred

9 Runners

16.4f

Group 1 Hurdle

Turf

Good to Soft

640.5K

VIEW

Verdict

Several high-profile absentees potentially leaves the door ajar for another mare to add their name to the Champion Hurdle roll of honour. LOSSIEMOUTH looks the type to benefit from cheekpieces so is marginally preferred to Brighterdaysahead in her quest for a Cheltenham Festival 4-timer. The Elliott-trained mare has yet to win at this venue but she did beat the selection at Leopardstown and demands respect, while The New Lion's ceiling has yet to be ascertained.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
9	Prolific hurdler, winning 14 of 16 completed starts including 9 at the highest level. Smooth winner of the Mares' Hurdle for a second time a year ago and while Brighterdaysahead lowered her colours at Leopardstown, she's fancied to reverse the form this time with cheekpieces likely to help. 1st Pick 9 Lossiemouth (Fr) Jockey: P. Townend Trainer: W. P. Mullins, Ireland J: P. Townend T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	100	-	-	-	36%	9/5
Analysis Prolific hurdler, winning 14 of 16 completed starts including 9 at the highest level. Smooth winner of the Mares' Hurdle for a second time a year ago and while Brighterdaysahead lowered her colours at Leopardstown, she's fancied to reverse the form this time with cheekpieces likely to help.
7	Very smart mare who got her career back on track in no uncertain terms this winter, runner-up in quest to follow up in the December Hurdle and cashed in on a below-par Lossiemouth for third Grade 1 in open company in the Irish Champion. Beaten both Cheltenham starts but a major player. 2nd Pick 7 Brighterdaysahead (Fr) Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Ireland J: J. W. Kennedy T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	99	-	-	-	19%	9/2
Analysis Very smart mare who got her career back on track in no uncertain terms this winter, runner-up in quest to follow up in the December Hurdle and cashed in on a below-par Lossiemouth for third Grade 1 in open company in the Irish Champion. Beaten both Cheltenham starts but a major player.
4	Unbeaten in 4 starts as a novice and particularly impressive in Baring Bingham a year ago. Still finding in front when falling heavily 2 out in Fighting Fifth on reappearance and was ultimately presented with a straightforward task in the International on Trials Day. The one open to improvement. 3rd Pick 4 The New Lion Jockey: Harry Skelton Trainer: Dan Skelton J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton	98	-	-	-	34%	2/1
Analysis Unbeaten in 4 starts as a novice and particularly impressive in Baring Bingham a year ago. Still finding in front when falling heavily 2 out in Fighting Fifth on reappearance and was ultimately presented with a straightforward task in the International on Trials Day. The one open to improvement.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Scratch

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

Objection

Claim of foul lodged by a jockey for perceived dangerous or illegal riding by a rival.

Also Eligible

A horse that is entered but does not draw into the body of the field due to too many entries, and thus is not permitted to start unless there are enough scratches to shrink the field size.