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17:30Champion Bumper
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
17:30 Cheltenham Festival
2023-03-17
Winner: £39,022.5
Runners: 21
Going: Soft
No. of hurdles: 10
Distance: 2m4f56y
The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle is the final race of the Cheltenham Festival, taking place at 5.30pm on day four. It was established in 2009 and is named in honour of Martin Pipe, a 15-time champion trainer who retired in 2006 with 34 victories at the festival. As the title suggests, it is open only to conditional jockeys - professional riders who are still at the start of their careers. Check the Martin Pipe runners and riders ahead of the big race and place your bets by clicking the odds buttons.
NO.DRAW
FORM
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1(0)
14B702
Felix Desjy
-
J: Corey McGivern
T: Gordon Elliott
10
11-12
145
149
Campaigned mostly at about 2m but performed well returned to 2m4f last time, finishing second at Navan (soft); has respectable Cheltenham Festival form having finished sixth in the 2018 Champion Bumper, fifth in the 2019 Supreme and tenth in the 2022 County; should give his running.
11(0)
095321
West To The Bridge
-
J: Tristan Durrell
T: Dan Skelton
10
11-4
132
151
Regained the winning thread in emphatic style at Sandown (2m4f, soft) ten days ago, scoring by a wide margin, and retains plenty of ability aged ten; however, unlikely to follow up at this stronger level, taking on numerous younger and less exposed rivals.
4(0)
8-1352
Molly Ollys Wishes
-
J: Fergus Gillard
T: Dan Skelton
9
11-7
140
153
Useful mare who has winning form at Listed/Graded level; no match for a less exposed rival at Warwick (2m5f) most recently; has a record of 2-3 in handicaps and is on a workable mark but has something to prove back against males; all wins against her own sex.
6(0)
-171F1
Mark Of Gold
-
J: Caoilin Quinn
T: Gary Moore
6
11-6
139
144
Went clear for a 14l success under Caoilin Quinn at Kempton (2m5f, good) three weeks ago, taking his record over hurdles to 6-12; acts on soft; has 10lb higher mark but earns points for having a progressive profile and good strike-rate.
18(0)
404-8P
In From The Cold
-
J: Danny Gilligan
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-0
133
127
Had bits of Graded form for previous stable but completely failed to show it on debut for Gordon Elliott; subsequently placed in 1m2f AW Flat event; has stamina to prove on first attempt beyond 2m.
22(0)
26-P52
Hollow Sound
-
J: Charlie O'Dwyer
T: Luke Comer
8
10-10
129
143
Ran creditably in maiden hurdle at Punchestown (2m4f, yielding; clear second) last month; however, rather exposed (now 0-9 in this sphere) and looks unlikely to go one better in this hot handicap.
7(0)
13P-19
No Ordinary Joe
-
J: Luca Morgan
T: Nicky Henderson
7
11-6
139
146
Lightly raced; gamely made a winning reappearance in Kempton handicap (soft) over Christmas, then came up well short in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury (again over 2m); he's 2-2 over 2m4f (two easy novice wins) and, still unexposed at this distance, can't be comfortably dismissed.
24(0)
021-P0
Fifty Ball
-
J: Niall Houlihan
T: Gary Moore
8
10-7
126
147
Won off 1lb higher, albeit in a much weaker field, at Ascot (2m5f) last spring; not in anything like the same form in two runs this term, long way behind Irish Hill at Ascot (folded tamely) latest.
NR(0)
101412
Grozni
-
T: C Byrnes
7
10-11
130
141
Non-runner
NR(0)
21F-30
Wonderwall
-
T: Richard Spencer
7
11-1
134
Non-runner
17(0)
-51431
Impulsive One
-
J: Ben Bromley
T: Nicky Henderson
5
11-0
133
147
Campaigned this term exclusively on good ground; won at Huntingdon (2m) in November and Wetherby (narrowly, upped to an extended 2m3f) last month; has a consistent record in handicaps but this is a harder task, especially if he doesn't get a sound surface.
2(0)
232-82
Might I
-
J: Lorcan Murtagh
T: Harry Fry
7
11-12
145
149
Half-brother to 2022 Cheltenham Festival winner and 2023 Gold Cup contender Stattler; showed very useful form as a novice hurdler last term, notably second in Grade 1 at Aintree (good to soft) on sole 2m4f attempt; interesting returned to this distance, on the back of his good effort in 2m1f handicap here (neck second on soft ground) seven weeks ago; tongue-tie fitted.
13(0)
378-04
Au Fleuron
-
J: Kieren Buckley
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-2
135
142
Respectable fourth at Punchestown (2m3f) when last seen, despite jumping sloppily in first-time cheekpieces (retained today); not disgraced (about 10l seventh) in this contest 12 months ago but isn't especially well treated off only 2lb lower this time round.
3(0)
-61124
Cool Survivor
-
J: Sam Ewing
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-7
140
149
Solid record (and progressive RPRs) since switched to hurdles, winning 2m4f maiden and 3m Listed event then running well in Grade 3 at Cork (3m) and Grade 1 at Leopardstown (2m6f); appears to act on any ground; doesn't shape as if he's crying out for a return to 2m4f but has an attractive profile.
NR(0)
UP4153
Hey Johnny
-
T: Thomas Mullins
6
10-8
127
146
In good form at about 2m of late, winning at Thurles (yielding) then running creditably at Leopardstown (valuable handicap) and Naas; bred to be suited by this step up in trip, being half-brother to last year's Ballymore winner Sir Gerhard; could go well at big odds.
14(0)
-22111
Irish Hill
-
J: Angus Cheleda
T: Paul Nicholls
5
11-1
134
147
Improving youngster who has form figures of 2111 since having wind surgery, most recently winning a useful 2m3f handicap at Ascot; now 5-10 over hurdles and may not have stopped progressing yet; trainer won this race in 2013 and 2016; big player granted ideal conditions (all wins on good/good to soft).
8(0)
244-11
Iroko
-
J: Aidan Kelly
T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
5
11-5
138
153
Promising fourth in major juvenile hurdles last term on his first two British starts (ex-French); has justified favouritism in two handicaps at Wetherby (2m3f, good/soft) upped in trip this season, the latest powerfully by 14l; improving 5yo who is one to consider.
10(0)
111515
Saylavee
-
J: Jack Foley
T: W P Mullins
6
11-4
137
143
Productive mare who is 4-6 this season but her Listed win at Punchestown (2m3f, yielding) in December is flanked by Grade 3 defeats that exposed her limitations to some extent; an unlikely winner in this hot handicap back against males.
9(0)
812B6
Spirit Of Legend
-
J: Mike O'Connor
T: Henry De Bromhead
6
11-4
137
149
Made a winning hurdles debut at Navan and ran well in Leopardstown handicap next time (both 2m4f); only sixth at Fairyhouse (returned to 2m4f) most recently but that race panned out unfavourably as he came from a difficult position; may do better still.
19(0)
626-71
Haxo
-
J: Kieran Callaghan
T: W P Mullins
6
10-13
132
143
Out of his depth in last year's Ballymore at this meeting on second start for Willie Mullins; opened his hurdles account at Punchestown (2m4f, soft) in January, adding to his French bumper win; still has low mileage and may have more to offer for powerful stable; hard to dismiss.
5(0)
1-1222
Imagine
-
J: Ben Harvey
T: Gordon Elliott
5
11-6
139
145
Solid candidate whose career form figures read 11222, most recently second in Listed novice event at Navan (good to yielding; wins came on deep ground); remains open to more progress, especially as he's bred to be suited by this new trip; with that in mind, could prove very well treated (handicapped on his 2m form); trainer won this race in 2017 and 2018; highly respected.
15(0)
312331
Firm Footings
-
J: Shane Fitzgerald
T: Gordon Elliott
5
11-1
134
142
Recorded a game success in maiden event at Navan (2m, good to yielding) last month, opening his hurdles account at the fourth attempt; has posted two promising efforts over 2m4f and he's bred to relish the return to this distance; could well prove ahead of this opening mark; interesting.
12(0)
1322
Spanish Harlem
-
J: Michael O'Sullivan
T: W P Mullins
5
11-2
135
142
Bought for 360,000euros after winning his sole start in France; consistent efforts for Willie Mullins without yet making the expected progress, most recently second at Thurles (2m4f, good to yielding); has been untidy with his jumping the last twice but is open to any amount of improvement off this opening mark granted an error-free round and his trainer has won this contest four times with horses who proved handicap snips in hindsight; has to be feared.
20(0)
706122
Buddy One
-
J: Jack G Gilligan
T: Paul John Gilligan
6
10-12
131
145
Off the mark at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) in January; stuck on gamely in a battle with the market leader at Thurles (2m4f, good; Grade 3) most recently, going down by a short head and running very well on the figures; hit with a big rise in his mark but is by no means fully exposed.
RACING POST TIP
Imagine
Irish-trained horses have won seven of the last nine runnings of this race, including two wins for Gordon Elliott who launches a six-pronged attack this time round, spearheaded by IMAGINE (nap) who could prove very well handicapped on his first attempt over a distance that he's bred to relish. Spanish Harlem, who ties in with the selection on Gowran form in November and has good credentials, is feared most ahead of Iroko who looks a particularly strong contender for the Brits. Cool Survivor has clear possibilities if he copes with the drop back to 2m4f, while Might I, Firm Footings and Irish Hill are other suggestions for the shortlist.
Verdict
MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2022 | Banbridge | 114-71 | 6 | 12/1 | Joseph O’Brien |
Mark McDonagh
|
| 2021 | Galopin Des Champs | 1-2PU6 | 5 | 8-1 | Willie Mullins | S O’Keefe |
| 2020 | Indefatigable | 52231 | 7 | 25-1 | Paul Webber | Rex Dingle |
| 2019 | Early Doors | 930-52 | 6 | 5-1 | Joseph O’Brien |
Jonjo O’Neill jnr
|
| 2018 | Blow By Blow | 32161 | 7 | 11-1 | Gordon Elliott |
Donagh Meyler
|
| 2017 | Champagne Classic | 23213 | 6 | 12-1 | Gordon Elliott | JJ Slevin |
| 2016 | Ibis Du Rheu | 64-235 | 5 | 14-1 | Paul Nicholls |
Jack Sherwood
|
| 2015 | Kilultagh Vic | 65-123 | 6 | 7/1 | Willie Mullins |
Luke Dempsey
|
| 2014 | Don Poli | 2-211 | 5 | 12-1 | Willie Mullins | Mikey Fogarty |
| 2013 | Salubrious | 1-5241 | 6 | 16-1 | Paul Nicholls | Harry Derham |
MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP KEY TRENDS AND STATS
- Top-three finish in at least one of last two starts, 9/10
- No more than eight hurdle runs, 9/10
- Officially rated 137-145, 9/10
- Aged five or six, 8/10
- Had won that season, 8/10
- Rated within 5lb of RPR top-rated, 6/10
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP 2022
Joseph O’Brien secured his second win in this race, and first of this year’s Cheltenham Festival, as Banbridge landed the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle. On approach to the home turn, O’Brien’s runner had to deal with a loose horse, but once Banbridge was past he found plenty of room through the middle and held off Cobblers Dream in second, while the Gordon Elliott-trained Hollow Games did enough to hold off Freedom To Dream and take third spot. The win provided Ireland with their 18th success of the week, while also capping off a clean sweep for the final day of the festival as they won every race.