Sire Du Berlais bids for Pertemps Final greatness as he seeks back-to-back wins

2.10 Cheltenham
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) | 3m | 5yo+ | New course | ITV/RTV

You can tell someone's age by their favourite Pertemps/Coral Golden Hurdle Final specialist: Buena Vista, Pragada or – for the real oldies – Willie Wumpkins.

And the kids of today may tell their future children about Sire Du Berlais, who landed a gamble for owner JP McManus in first-time cheekpieces last year and has every chance again 12 months on.

Despite top weight, there is no reason not to think he won't go close to becoming the first repeat winner since 2011, with blinkers the invigorating new equipment reached for this time by Gordon Elliott and his best form giving him every chance on Racing Post Ratings.

Delta Work was a future top-notcher lurking on a mark of just 139 when winning this in 2018 and these weights appear to favour the Gordon Elliott-trained The Storyteller.

This high-class chaser, who emulated Sire Du Berlais 12 months earlier with an eyecatching sixth in the Leopardstown qualifier, is 11lb lower over hurdles than fences – though he's 7lb above his Irish mark here – so too was Presenting Percy when bolting up three years ago.

The non-declaration of McManus's Phoenix Way sunk many an ante-post bet, but if you fancy chancing another lightly raced seven-year-old, Relegate returns to the scene of her greatest triumph.

She passed a dozen rivals in the final furlong to land a miraculous Champion Bumper win two years ago, has had limited opportunities over hurdles since and is another who promises to be ideally suited by this unique test.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Sire Du Berlais and The Storyteller
Sire Du Berlais has run well on both his outings at this track so he's got a solid chance, but he's got a big weight and that will make life tougher this year. We decided to switch The Storyteller back to hurdling this season and this has always been his long-term aim. He's won at the festival over fences already so that's obviously a positive. Maybe he has a bit more to give over hurdles and I think he'll go close.

Harry Fry, trainer of Unowhatimeanharry
He owes us nothing and won't mind the conditions. If he can relight the fire one more time he has got it to be competitive – only two runs ago he was second in a Grade 1 and it's less than a year since he was winning a Grade 1 at the Punchestown festival.

Unowhatimeanharry (left) wins the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown in 2017Credit: Patrick McCann

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Jatiluwih
We decided to wait for this after he qualified with a second place at Wincanton in December. He's in very good form and should have an each-way shot.

Patrick Mullins, rider of Rocket Lad
He's Emmet's first runner at the festival so I'm delighted to be riding him. I'm hoping he can rediscover his early form.

Denis Cullen, trainer of A Great View
We're hoping for a big run from him. He ran well in this race two seasons ago and comes into the race in good form after a nice run at Punchestown. Hopefully the track will play to his strengths.

Henry Daly, trainer of Stoney Mountain and Rapper
I'd be surprised if Skandiburg finishes ahead of Rapper this time – though I'm always surprised in life! The track and the way the race is run will suit him very well. Stoney Mountain is on the ball, he knows his job and should run well.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Third Wind
You don't win handicaps as competitive as this if you've won four of your five races, he may improve again but he needs to have a stone in hand. He's taking on four previous Cheltenham Festival winners, but if everything goes right he might run into a place.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Kilbricken Storm
He's run well at the festival before and he's going into this race as an Albert Bartlett winner off 140. He's run quite well this season overall and I think he'd have a live each-way chance in a competitive race.

Kilbricken Storm and Harry Cobden sprung a 33-1 surprise in the Albert Barlett at Cheltenham in 2018Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Olly Murphy, trainer of Skandiburg
He's in good form and is a progressive horse. I hope he'll keep improving and will be well suited by a fast-run three miles.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Welsh Saint
He runs off a nice weight and I would give him a chance. We upped him to three miles for his qualifier at Haydock and he showed there he gets the trip well.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Burrows Park
He ran encouragingly last season over a bit shorter. This is more of a test, but it should suit him better. He ran well last time at Kempton but has missed a few opportunities due to cancelled meetings.

Paul Townend, rider of Relegate
She looks to have slipped in with a nice racing weight and she's a former Champion Bumper winner. Willie used to train her and she's had one run for Colm Murphy so far where she finished fourth at Punchestown. Colm seems very happy with her so we will take our chance. It is a competitive handicap and we will need plenty of luck in running but she could be laid out for this.

Noel Meade, trainer of Tout Est Permis
I suppose he’s been a bit disappointing this season but he could be well treated on his chase rating and we’re hoping for the best from him. We are taking 7lb off him and hopefully he has a good chance.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Royal Thief
We're happy with him. He's in there with a nice weight and comes into the race off the back of a nice run at Punchestown so we're hopeful.

Spotlight verdict

Irish horses have won the last four runnings and there is no denying the right ones head the market. Sire Du Berlais has been primed for his defence, his well-handicapped stablemate The Storyteller ran an eyecatching race in Leopardstown's influential trial and former festival heroine Relegate promises to be well served by the demands of this race. However, Jonjo O'Neill has captured this prize four times and his Dream Berry could be a lively one at inflated odds after showing some of his old spark at Sandown in December. He's very able when fresh. The Storyteller is feared most, while Rapper, Welsh Saint and Skandiburg can also go well.
Alistair Jones

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