Over fences he'd be a class apart but can Coole Cody replicate it over hurdles?

Friday: 3.55 Cheltenham
Abu Dhabi Digital Exchange Handicap Hurdle | 2m4f | 3yo+ | RTV

There aren’t many races which get the heart pounding in the same way a big-field handicap hurdle at Cheltenham does, and Coole Cody was the king of similar events over fences at the track last season, winning the Racing Post Gold Cup and the Plate at the festival in March.

He carries top weight of 12st 1lb, but would be 10lb higher in the handicap if this were over fences and is a class apart on that form. But can he reproduce that level back over hurdles?

His last run over hurdles came in this race last year, when he chased home subsequent International Hurdle winner Guard Your Dreams. Coole Cody is just 6lb higher now and it would be a surprise were he to run into a horse as good as Guard Your Dreams once again.

Having said that, Spanish Present was ninth in the Champion Bumper at the track in March and that is a race which often throws up future Grade 1 winners, even that far down the field.

Spanish Present receives 25lb from Coole Cody and is at the opposite end of his career, making his handicap debut on just his third start over hurdles. There could be loads to come.

You have to go back ten years to find the last Irish-trained winner. That was Bondage for Gordon Elliott and this season the raiding party looks particularly strong, with Matthew Smith, John McConnell and Tom Gibney saddling four runners between them.

Listentillitellyea is a consistent non-winner for Gibney and McConnell’s runner Seddon is still finding his feet back hurdling after a chasing career, so maybe Smith’s representative Arabian King and Aidan Coleman can do best of the Irish ahead of stablemate Bigz Belief.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Handicap mark a gift for Keighley's Present

Seven months on from the Cheltenham Festival and everything is completely different for Spanish Present.

He lined up as a 250-1 shot for the Champion Bumper here in March, with the ground against him too, yet surprised many with a big run in ninth. He went well for a long way and was still fourth best of those trained in Britain.

Now the exciting young talent for local trainer Martin Keighley arrives as one of the leading fancies on Cheltenham's opening fixture. He was superb at Worcester last month, conditions look ideal and his trainer feels the handicapper's rating of 116 may even have underestimated him.

Martin Keighley: considers Spanish Present an exciting prospect for the seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I've always thought a lot of him," Keighley said. "He ran a belter at the festival when the heavy ground wouldn't have suited him, and I thought it was a good performance at Worcester last time. I know Charlie Longsdon likes the horse he beat [Everyonesgame].

"The handicapper has given him quite a fair mark to be honest, so he has to go there with a fair chance."

What they say

Evan Williams, trainer of Coole Cody
He was second in the race last year off 6lb lower and we claimed 5lb, so, in effect, he's 11lb higher now. I'd say he's got very little chance winning off that mark but we have to start somewhere.

Peter Bowen, trainer of Francky Du Berlais
We're using this to try and tune him up for the Grand Sefton at Aintree. He'll do his best but he's not as good over hurdles.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Hooper
He's a top-of-the-ground horse and is in good form. He's had wind surgery and this looks a nice race for him.

Matthew Smith, trainer of Bigz Belief and Arabian King
Bigz Belief seems to be versatile in terms of the ground and hopefully the trip should suit him. Arabian King can be a bit keen, so a strong pace should suit him.

John McConnell, trainer of Seddon
His last start was over a trip too short, but he still showed up well and this should suit him better.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Aurora Thunder
She runs well fresh. It'll be interesting to see her at Cheltenham because she's normally better on a flat track. She stays three miles, so we've opted to go over this shorter distance with the hill at the end to see if that'd suit her. She feels really good at home, I think she's got every chance.

Tom Gibney, trainer of Listentillitellyea
It's coming to the end of his season and we felt we'd come here for the better ground. He has a 5lb higher mark in Britain than Ireland, but we'll see how he gets on. He's been very solid.
Reporting by James Stevens

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