2011 Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle Form

Race OverviewThe stats suggest the winner will come from the top half of the handicap and TENOR NIVERNAIS, who was a long way clear of the rest when third to a progressive pair at Taunton, is expected to go well with this stiffer track likely to suit. He is preferred to What A Charm, while Kayef is one to bear in mind at longer odds.[Frank Carter]

Odds provided by Paddypower

No.		Runner	Details	Rating
1		Kumbeshwar C Huxley A King	4 yrs / 164 lbs 133	133

CommentKumbeshwar

Been running well behind Triumph contenders; solid chance

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
26/02/11	KEM 16GS 4yCl1 G2Hd,12K	156 lbs	Robert Thornton	3/9 17 1/4l, Zarkandar[4/1]10-12
19/02/11	HAY 16Hy 4yCl2 Hd,7K	157 lbs	Wayne Hutchinson	3/5 5 3/4l, Houblon Des Obeaux[13/2]11-6
05/02/11	SAN 16Gd 4yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Robert Thornton	1/12 3 1/2l, Professeur Emery[15/2]10-12
21/12/10	STH 12St/SlwCl6Hc,3K	140 lbs	Matthew Cosham	1/12 13l, Short Supply[9/4]9-7
18/12/10	STH 11St/SlwCl5Hc,2K	117 lbs	Shane B Kelly	1/5 5l, Castle Myth[EvensF]8-10 blinkers,

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2

Celtus (FR) B J Geraghty N Henderson

4 yrs / 163 lbs 11213

132

CommentCeltus

3-4 hurdling in French provinces; needs to step up on Kempton 3rd

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
26/02/11	KEM 16GSCl1 NvG2Hd,12K	154 lbs	Barry Geraghty	3/7 15l, Sire De Grugy[2/1F]11-6
18/01/11	Pau 17VSft 4yHd,16K	148 lbs	Mickael Mingant	1/3 [27/10]
14/12/10	Pau 17Sft 3yHd,13K	150 lbs	Mickael Mingant	2/3Rixe Veto[7/10F]10-3
20/11/10	Tls 17Hy 3yHd,9K	148 lbs	Mickael Mingant	1/3 [17/10F]
08/04/10	Msn 10VSft 3y,13K	128 lbs	Christophe Soumillon	7/11Tussian Bere[10/1]9-2

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3

Whitby Jack J E Moore G L Moore

4 yrs / 163 lbs P71

132

CommentWhitby Jack

Lightly raced; much improved latest and can make presence felt

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
06/02/11	FON 18GS 4yCl4 Hd,2K	152 lbs	Jamie Moore	1/11 14l, Kuilsriver[4/1]10-12 tongue str
22/01/11	ASC 16GS 4yCl3 Hd,4K	152 lbs	Jamie Moore	7/9 33 1/2l, Grandouet[33/1]11-8
08/01/11	SAN 16Hy 4yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Jamie Moore	PU/12Music Of The Moor[10/1]10-12
03/06/10	SAN 10GF 3yCl5 Md,3K	129 lbs	George Baker	3/15 3 3/4l, Kensei[16/1]9-3
08/05/10	LIN 10GFCl5 Md,5K	123 lbs	Amir Quinn	5/8 3 1/2l, Eavesdropper[14/1]8-8

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4

Plan A (IRE) P Carberry G Elliott

4 yrs / 162 lbs 231

131

CommentPlan A

Progressive Flat/hurdles; respected but may prefer it softer

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
28/01/11	GOW 16Sft 4yMdHd,6K	154 lbs	P Carberry	1/20 1 3/4l, Luddenmore[7/4F]10-7
13/11/10	CHL 16GS 3yCl1 G2Hd,14K	152 lbs	Jamie Moore	3/15 24l, Sam Winner[12/1]10-12
17/10/10	KEM 16Gd 3yCl3 Hd,4K	152 lbs	A P McCoy	2/8 Nk, Jubail[11/4]10-12
04/10/10	PON 12Sft 3yCl5Hc,3K	128 lbs	Paul Hanagan	1/13 Hd, Palawi[3/1F]9-7
19/09/10	HAM 11GS 3yCl5Hc,3K	126 lbs	William Carson	2/11 Hd, Tobernea[6/1]9-0

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5

Titan De Sarti (FR) A P McCoy N Henderson

4 yrs / 160 lbs 1522

129

CommentTitan De Sarti

Not come up to expectations and needs to up game

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
19/01/11	NBY 16Sft 4yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Barry Geraghty	2/4 10l, Cedre Bleu[1/2F]10-12
15/12/10	NBY 16Gd 3yCl4 Hd,4K	152 lbs	Barry Geraghty	2/16 2 3/4l, Third Intention[15/8]10-12
13/11/10	CHL 16GS 3yCl1 G2Hd,14K	152 lbs	Barry Geraghty	5/15 32 1/4l, Sam Winner[11/4F]10-12
20/06/10	Dtl 11GS 3yNHF,5K	143 lbs	Herve Paimblanc	1/3 [EvensF]
11/04/10	Lix 13Gd 3y,4K	139 lbs	Christophe Herpin	1/3 [11/5J]

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6

Mark Twain (IRE) J M Maguire K Bailey

4 yrs / 160 lbs 315

129

CommentMark Twain

Needs to bounce back from ordinary run in better class

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
29/01/11	CHL 17GS 4yCl1 G2Hd,13K	154 lbs	Sean Quinlan	5/7 20 3/4l, Local Hero[10/1]11-4
13/01/11	CAT 16GS 4yCl5 MdHd,2K	154 lbs	Jason Maguire	1/10 13l, Call To Arms[9/4F]10-11
29/12/10	NBY 16GS 3yCl3 Hd,5K	152 lbs	Jason Maguire	3/8 22 1/2l, Grandouet[20/1]11-8
17/10/10	NCS 8Hy 3yCl4Hc,4K	125 lbs	Martin Lane	2/6 11l, Medicinal Compound[5/2F]9-0
07/10/10	NBY 8Sft 3yCl5Hc,3K	130 lbs	Martin Lane	4/12 5l, First In The Queue[4/1]9-2

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7

The Starboard Bow P Buchanan Miss L Russell

4 yrs / 157 lbs 162

126

CommentThe Starboard Bow

Latest second not working out; stiffer track here should suit

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
06/02/11	MUS 16Sft 4yCl2 Hd,13K	159 lbs	Peter Buchanan	2/8 Hd, Vosges[10/1]11-5
03/01/11	AYR 16Gd 4yCl4 Hd,2K	159 lbs	Peter Buchanan	6/11 9l, First Fandango[85/40]10-12 tongue str
26/11/10	MUS 16Gd 3yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Peter Buchanan	1/8 1 3/4l, Meetings Man[2/1]11-7
28/09/10	NBY 16Gd 3yCl4Hc,4K	128 lbs	Liam Keniry	6/8 8 1/2l, Regal Park[12/1]9-7
04/09/10	KEM 16St 3yCl4Hc,4K	124 lbs	John Fahy	2/6 3 1/2l, Tuscan Gold[8/1]9-5

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8

Akula (IRE) C Bolger M Tompkins

4 yrs / 156 lbs 51234

125

CommentAkula

In good form and eased in grade but others look less exposed

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
29/01/11	CHL 17GS 4yCl1 G2Hd,13K	158 lbs	Richard Johnson	4/7 15 3/4l, Local Hero[10/1]11-4
11/12/10	CHL 17GS 3yCl2 Hd,8K	157 lbs	Colin Bolger	3/12 10 1/2l, Sam Winner[50/1]11-7
20/11/10	HUN 16GS 3yCl4 Hd,3K	159 lbs	Colin Bolger	2/12 3/4l, Jolly Roger[3/1]10-12
06/10/10	LUD 16Gd 3yCl4 MdHd,3K	152 lbs	Colin Bolger	1/11 12l, Caracal[9/4F]10-12
25/09/10	MAR 17Gd 3yCl2 Hd,8K	152 lbs	Colin Bolger	5/14 15l, Architrave[40/1]11-6

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9

Tenor Nivernais (FR) A Coleman Miss V Williams

4 yrs / 155 lbs 1133

124

CommentTenor Nivernais

Latest third has been boosted and he can get involved

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
01/02/11	TAU 17GSCl3 HdHc,7K	146 lbs	Aidan Coleman	3/14 1 3/4l, Karky Schultz[2/1F]11-1
22/01/11	WCN 16SftCl3 HdHc,5K	153 lbs	Aidan Coleman	3/16 3 3/4l, Minnie Hill[7/1]10-8
30/08/10	Vic 17Sft 3yHd,9K	150 lbs	James Reveley	1/3 [21/10F]
15/08/10	Vic 17Gd 3yHd,7K	146 lbs	James Reveley	1/3 [10/1]

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10

Paintball (IRE) R Johnson C Longsdon

4 yrs / 154 lbs 261

123

CommentPaintball

Shortlisted with Ludlow win having been franked

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
23/02/11	LUD 16GSCl5 MdHd,2K	147 lbs	Tom Siddall	1/14 12l, King's Realm[7/2]10-0
27/01/11	WAR 16GS 4yCl4 MdHd,3K	154 lbs	Tom Scudamore	6/14 32 1/4l, Dhaafer[6/5F]11-0
06/01/11	HUN 16GS 4yCl4 NvHd,2K	152 lbs	Tom Scudamore	2/16 1/2l, Tony Star[4/1J]10-12
11/10/10	WDR 10GS 3yCl4Hc,4K	124 lbs	Shane Kelly	4/9 0.4, Ingleby Spirit[15/2]9-5
11/09/10	GOO 12Sft 3yCl4Hc,4K	128 lbs	Martin Dwyer	2/11 Nk, Kathleen Frances[8/1]8-9

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11

Beyond (IRE) D N Russell E Williams

4 yrs / 154 lbs 1124

123

CommentBeyond

Limitations seemed exposed in early-season races; ground suits

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
25/09/10	MAR 17Gd 3yCl2 Hd,8K	160 lbs	A P McCoy	4/14 11 3/4l, Architrave[5/1]11-6
21/08/10	NAB 17Gd 3yCl4 Hd,4K	166 lbs	A P McCoy	2/8 1/2l, Gulf Punch[4/11F]11-0 cheekpiece
11/07/10	STR 16GF 3yCl3 Hd,5K	158 lbs	A P McCoy	1/10 1 3/4l, Two Kisses[4/6F]10-5
08/06/10	BAN 17Gd 3yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	A P McCoy	1/9 11l, Glen Lass[8/13F]10-5 cheekpiece
08/03/10	LIN 12St 3yCl5Hc,2K	128 lbs	George Baker	1/5 2 1/2l, Heading To First[8/11F]9-1

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12

Harry Hunt J Mogford G McPherson

4 yrs / 154 lbs 062P13

123

CommentHarry Hunt

Improved for new connections but bit to prove on livelier ground

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
23/02/11	DON 16GS 4yCl4 Hd,3K	159 lbs	Jodie Mogford	3/15 6 3/4l, Moose Moran[16/1]10-12
04/02/11	BAN 17GSCl4 NvHd,3K	144 lbs	Tom Molloy	1/10 1 1/4l, Credit Swap[10/1]11-10
10/01/11	TOW 16Sft 4yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Jodie Mogford	PU/8Ultravox[3/1]10-5
18/11/10	HER 17GS 3yCl4 Hd,2K	152 lbs	Jodie Mogford	2/11 nse, Tiptronic[28/1]10-9
03/11/10	NOT 10HyCl5Hc,2K	122 lbs	Cathy Gannon	2/14 6l, Spring Secret[20/1]9-0

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13

Jubail (IRE) W Hutchinson A King

4 yrs / 152 lbs 3144

121

CommentJubail

Going right way but stable may have stronger contenders

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
23/02/11	DON 16GS 4yCl4 Hd,3K	159 lbs	Robert Thornton	4/15 14 3/4l, Moose Moran[9/2]10-12
29/10/10	WET 16Gd 3yCl1 LisHd,9K	160 lbs	Wayne Hutchinson	4/13 12l, Maoi Chinn Tire[12/1]10-12
17/10/10	KEM 16Gd 3yCl3 Hd,4K	152 lbs	Wayne Hutchinson	1/8 Nk, Plan A[EvensF]10-12
25/09/10	MAR 17Gd 3yCl2 Hd,8K	152 lbs	Wayne Hutchinson	3/14 7 3/4l, Architrave[13/2]11-6
12/09/10	GOO 9SftCl4Hc,4K	123 lbs	Fergus Sweeney	5/10 4l, Harlestone Times[6/1]8-11

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14

Kayef (GER) T Scudamore M Scudamore

4 yrs / 151 lbs 941

120

CommentKayef

French Flat winner; much improved at Sandown and respected

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
18/02/11	SAN 16GS 4yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Alan O'Keeffe	1/8 12l, Lucky Breeze[9/1]10-5
08/01/11	SAN 16Hy 4yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Alan O'Keeffe	4/12 24 3/4l, Music Of The Moor[66/1]10-12
11/12/10	CHL 17GS 3yCl2 Hd,8K	154 lbs	Tom Scudamore	9/12 49l, Sam Winner[80/1]11-7
23/09/10	Sai 15Gd 3y,13K	128 lbs	Davy Bonilla	6/9 9 1/4l+, Jo All The Way[12/1]9-2 cheekpiece
06/06/10	Par 12GS 3y,7K	118 lbs	Aurelien Lemaitre	1/3 [13/10F]

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15

Mr Muddle A Glassonbury Sheena West

4 yrs / 150 lbs 22217

119

CommentMr Muddle

Consistent until moderate run latest and relatively exposed

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
26/02/11	KEM 16GS 4yCl1 G2Hd,12K	156 lbs	Jamie Goldstein	7/9 62l, Zarkandar[12/1]10-12
15/02/11	FOL 17SftCl4 NvHd,2K	147 lbs	Jamie Goldstein	1/9 5l, Promised Wings[13/8F]10-7
18/01/11	FOL 17Hy 4yCl4 MdHd,2K	152 lbs	Jamie Goldstein	2/7 3l, Lady Willa[10/11F]10-2
14/01/11	LIN 12StCl5 Md,2K	129 lbs	Jamie Goldstein	9/9 36 1/4l, Mister Frosty[3/1]9-7
02/01/11	PLU 16GSCl4 NvHd,2K	147 lbs	Jamie Goldstein	2/14 7l, Gibb River[7/2]11-12

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16

Dhaafer R Thornton A King

4 yrs / 150 lbs 52512

119

CommentDhaafer

Has improved and Thornton rides but bit to prove on drying ground

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
25/02/11	WAR 16Hy 4yCl4 Hd,3K	159 lbs	Robert Thornton	2/7 Sht-hd, Pepite Rose[5/6F]10-12
27/01/11	WAR 16GS 4yCl4 MdHd,3K	154 lbs	Robert Thornton	1/14 5l, Head Hunted[5/1]11-0
06/01/11	HUN 16GS 4yCl4 NvHd,2K	152 lbs	Robert Thornton	5/16 4 1/4l, Tony Star[9/2]10-12
24/11/10	WET 16Sft 3yCl5 MdHd,2K	152 lbs	Wayne Hutchinson	2/9 6l, Local Hero[5/1]10-12
10/11/10	BAN 17Sft 3yCl4 MdHd,3K	152 lbs	Sam Thomas	5/8 29 1/4l, Marsh Warbler[7/1]10-9

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17

Looks Like Slim D Elsworth B De Haan

4 yrs / 148 lbs 6732

117

CommentLooks Like Slim

On upward curve but tough race in which to lose maiden tag

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
23/02/11	DON 16GS 4yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Wayne Hutchinson	2/15 6l, Moose Moran[11/2]10-12
22/01/11	ASC 16GS 4yCl3 Hd,4K	152 lbs	Wayne Hutchinson	3/9 9 1/4l, Grandouet[20/1]11-8
06/01/11	HUN 16GS 4yCl4 NvHd,2K	152 lbs	Daryl Jacob	7/16 6l, Tony Star[16/1]10-12
15/12/10	NBY 16Gd 3yCl4 Hd,4K	152 lbs	Daryl Jacob	6/16 25l, Third Intention[100/1]10-12
02/11/10	KEM 10StCl6Hc,2K	122 lbs	Chris Catlin	11/14 11 1/4l, Lady Lam[50/1]9-7 tongue str

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18

L'Eminence Grise (IRE) D Jacob N Williams

4 yrs / 147 lbs 8444

116

CommentL'Eminence Grise

Excuse latest and less to do now handicapping

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
19/02/11	ASC 16SftCl2 NvHd,6K	147 lbs	Daryl Jacob	4/8 14 3/4l, Sprinter Sacre[8/1]11-7
22/01/11	ASC 16GS 4yCl3 Hd,4K	152 lbs	Daryl Jacob	4/9 9 3/4l, Grandouet[20/1]11-8
29/12/10	NBY 16GS 3yCl3 Hd,5K	152 lbs	Daryl Jacob	4/8 23 1/2l, Grandouet[20/1]11-8
06/11/10	SAN 16GS 3yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Daryl Jacob	8/9 50l, Dolatulo[6/1]11-5

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19

Lady Willa (IRE) T Phelan M Gillard

4 yrs / 146 lbs 233113

115

CommentLady Willa

Improved on heavy and may struggle back on quicker ground

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
13/02/11	EXE 17HyCl1 NvLisHd,8K	146 lbs	Andrew Thornton	3/6 62l, Spirit Son[33/1]11-11
02/02/11	LEI 16HyCl5 NvClHd,2K	137 lbs	Tommy Phelan	1/7 25l, Starburst[11/8F]10-10
18/01/11	FOL 17Hy 4yCl4 MdHd,2K	142 lbs	Tommy Phelan	1/7 3l, Mr Muddle[14/1]10-12
22/12/10	LIN 16StCl6Hc,2K	123 lbs	Neil Chalmers	11/12 46 3/4l, Coda Agency[40/1]9-12
04/12/10	KEM 11StCl5 Md,2K	124 lbs	David Probert	6/8 6 1/4l, Cast Of Stars[16/1]9-3 blinkers

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20

What A Charm (IRE) P Townend A Moore

4 yrs / 146 lbs 757

115

CommentWhat A Charm

Very useful on Flat; downgraded on handicap debut and can go well

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
23/02/11	FAI 16Hy 4yG2Hd,21K	149 lbs	D N Russell	7/8 17 1/4l, Little Green[9/2]10-9
23/01/11	LEO 16SftMdHd,7K	145 lbs	P W Flood	5/21 14l, Day Of A Lifetime[4/1]11-12
30/12/10	LEO 16Sft/Hy 3yG2Hd,29K	147 lbs	P W Flood	7/10 23l, Sailors Warn[9/2]10-12
31/10/10	LEO 16SftHc,22K	128 lbs	F M Berry	1/21 4 1/2l, Prince Chaparral[6/1]9-4
26/09/10	CUR 16Y/SftHc,40K	123 lbs	F M Berry	2/23 5 1/2l, Bright Horizon[14/1]8-7

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21

Rock Of Deauville (IRE) H Skelton P Nicholls

4 yrs / 143 lbs 335

112

CommentRock Of Deauville

French Flat winner but disappointed over hurdles; tongue tied now

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
23/02/11	LUD 16GSCl3 HdHc,5K	149 lbs	Harry Skelton	5/10 34 3/4l, Bally Legend[3/1F]11-4
01/02/11	TAU 17GSCl4 NvHd,4K	147 lbs	Harry Skelton	3/13 18 1/4l, Shammick Boy[6/1]11-10
18/11/10	HER 17GS 3yCl4 Hd,2K	152 lbs	Noel Fehily	3/11 7 1/4l, Tiptronic[11/8F]10-9
29/05/10	Chb 13GS 3y,9K	128 lbs	Raphael Marchelli	1/3 [11/10F]
23/04/10	Chb 13Sft 3y,6K	130 lbs	Raphael Marchelli	1/3 [11/1]

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22

Kingdom Of Munster (IRE) B Hughes R Fahey

4 yrs / 140 lbs 7327

109

CommentKingdom Of Munster

Not out of it but probably more needed with visor back on

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
11/03/11	WOL 12StCl6Hc,2K	131 lbs	Paul Hanagan	7/9 7 1/4l, Time Travel[11/2]9-3 tongue str
26/02/11	NCS 16HyCl3 HdHc,4K	140 lbs	Paddy Aspell	7/12 27 1/2l, Reindeer Dippin[25/1]11-1
11/02/11	MUS 16Sft 4yCl5 MdHd,2K	154 lbs	Brian Hughes	2/7 5l, Patterning[3/1]11-0
13/01/11	CAT 16GS 4yCl5 MdHd,2K	154 lbs	Brian Hughes	3/10 15 1/2l, Mark Twain[7/1]11-0
03/01/11	AYR 16Gd 4yCl4 Hd,2K	152 lbs	Brian Hughes	7/11 10l, First Fandango[12/1]10-12 tongue str

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23

Tom Wade (IRE) S Twiston-Davies J Harris

4 yrs / 140 lbs U2643

105

CommentTom Wade

Modest maiden Flat/hurdles; tough task from out of handicap

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
02/03/11	BAN 17Sft 4yCl4 HdHc,3K	166 lbs	Richard Johnson	3/5 9 3/4l, Miereveld[7/1]10-11 visor
15/01/11	WAR 16HyCl4 NvHdHc,3K	144 lbs	Matt Crawley	4/9 44 1/4l, Lively Fling[6/1]11-9
11/12/10	CHL 17GS 3yCl2 Hd,8K	154 lbs	Charlie Poste	6/12 28l, Sam Winner[100/1]11-7
21/10/10	LUD 16Gd 3yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Charlie Poste	2/7 3/4l, Al Dafa[11/1]11-5
06/10/10	LUD 16Gd 3yCl4 MdHd,3K	145 lbs	Kyle James	UR/11Akula[66/1]10-12

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Gordon Elliott is likely to send Plan A to the Fred Winter Handicap at the Festival and that comes after he won last time out in impressive fashion at Gowran Park at the end of January. That win came in the Thomastown Maiden Hurdle and was his first in Ireland, we also saw Plan A come in third in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham back in November. That day he was outclassed by Grandoet and Sam Winner which looks like solid form and on that basis he could be one to watch in this one.

Another potential Nicky Henderson runner in the Fred Winter is the impressive Titan De Sarti who is being well backed to run a decent race. He seems to have improved through the season with three runs under his belt, his first run came at Cheltenham back in novmber in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial when he was 5th behind the likes of Sam Winner and Plan A. That now looks decent form and he has been second twice since at Newbury including last time out in January in the Juvenile Hurdle behind the nice Cedre Bleu but it was not a bad run and he cannot be ruled out here.

Charlie Longsdon is set to run Paintball in the Fred Winter at the Festival and he has been the subject of some nice support over the past few days. That support comes after his win last time out at Ludlow last month when he won the Stour Maiden Hurdle in some style. This win was his first of the season but he has racked up a number of solid efforts right from last summer when he was running on the flat at Glorious Goodwood among other venues. He has been awarded a nice weight of 10st 4lbs for the Fred Winter and that is a mark to be respected for a horse that arerly runs a poor race.

Gary Moore has described Whitby Jack as his best chance at the Cheltenham Festival this season and that alone means he deserves plenty of consideration from punters  for the Fred Winter. He is a horse that seems to be improving with every run this season having been pulled up first time out at Sandown at the start of January in the 32Red Poker Juvenile Hurdle. He followed that up with a 7th place at Ascot in the later on in January in the Ascot Badgeholders Juvenile Hurdle which was a race won by Triumph Hurdle fancy Grandoet. He ran his best race last time out with a win at Fontwell at the start of February as he won with something in hand in the Tiana Honey Watson Juvenile Hurdle and that is a race that has thrown up some nice winners down the years.

There has been a big gamble on Tenor Nivernais in recent days with trainer Venetia Williams and her yard in great form at the moment. The French import came to England with a big reputation but is perhaps yet to live up to that promise just yet with two solid if unspectacular runs to his name. His first start came at Wincanton back in January when he came in third in the Bathwick Tyres Handicap Hurdle, he travelled strongly but weakened and looked in need of the run. He started favourite last time out at Taunton last month in the 40% Better Off On Betfair Handicap Hurdle but once again could only manage third. He ran ok and travelled well again without having the change of gear needed. He should enjoy a stiffer test and with a nice 10st 10lbs to carry at Cheltenham he could be one to watch in the Fred Winter.

Cheltenham Festival - Betting Tips