'He's in the form of his life' - key trainer quotes for Cheltenham qualifier

Thursday: 1.22 Market Rasen
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) | 2m7f | 4yo+ | RTV

This race has not quite lived up to its billing in its short history. Pertemps qualifiers tend to be hot handicaps in their own right or starting points towards the Final at Cheltenham. This is best thought of as a valuable 0-135 handicap hurdle.

Richard Newland would be high on the list of candidates to take advantage of such a race. He won it in 2018 with Aaron Lad and has a live chance with Jesuitique this time.

He has won both of his starts in Britain and, unusually for his yard, did so without being backed into prohibitive odds. There might be more to come up in grade at 2m7f, given his French pedigree has more stamina and class than the average.

Last year's winner Teescomponents Lad is back again having not won since but 2lb higher. He has been holding his form, in fact his latest second at Carlisle was a career-best run, so his mark need not be harsh and his yard have never been in better heart since Gillian Boanas took the licence.

Small Present is already a series final winner, the Challenger series in his case at Haydock in April. He was completing a hat-trick that day and has run only once since, over fences when he seemed to need the run.

Newland is well known for his raids on Market Rasen but Emma Lavelle has no mean record either and she runs two in the race.

Thunderstruck has the obvious chance, this could count as a drop in grade if you squint a little, while The Sweeney has a bit of recovering to do but has Adam Wedge back on board and an exploitable mark should he be revived.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Tom Lacey, trainer of Flashing Glance
The handicapper would appear to have him in his grip over fences so the owners we’re keen to put him back over hurdles. He enjoys quick ground and he’s in good form at home so we are hopeful of a big run.

Gillian Boanas, trainer of Teescomponents Lad
He won the race last year and is in the form of his life at the moment running three solid races lately. This trip is ideal for him on this type of ground and we expect him to be thereabouts again.

Mark Walford, trainer of Giovanni Change
He’s in the grip of the handicapper at the moment but likes the ground and the track and should run a solid race.

Jack Quinlan, rider of Potters Hedger
Lucy Wadham’s horses are in flying form and hopefully he can go well as he’s gone well fresh in the past. He has some decent form at the track and won’t mind the ground so hopefully he can be in the mix.

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Thunderstruck and The Sweeney
Thunderstruck ran a blinder to be second at Uttoxeter last time when he jumped continually to his right which is why we're running him right-handed this time. We know The Sweeney likes the track and he’s down in the weights so he’s not without a chance.

Richard Newland, trainer of Jesuitique
He’s 5lb well in which is obviously why we’re running him but we’re taking a chance by running him on ground this quick. We think the trip will suit him.
Reporting by David Milnes

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