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Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle 2023 Racecard
The Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, for conditional jockeys, is run in the name of the 15-time champion trainer who saddled no fewer than 34 Cheltenham Festival winners. His son David Pipe is yet to win the race, however.
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5:30 Fri 17 Mar MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP HURDLE Distance: 20f 56y Age: 4yo + Prize: £75,000 Going: Gd/Sft
Willie Mullins took this in 2021 with Galopin des Champs and SPANISH HARLEM is fancied to tread a similar path and make a winning handicap debut under Michael O'Sullivan who has hit the headlines already here this week. Iroko, who continues to go from strength to strength, looks sure make a bold bid for the hat-trick so he heads up the dangers, while Imagine and Cool Survivor look the pick of Gordon Elliott's sextet in an ultra-competitive final race of the Festival. |
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Analyst's Verdict| ENTRY FORM |
SILKS | HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER |
AGE WGT |
ODDS | |
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1 |
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1. FELIX DESJY (FR) J: Corey McGivern T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
10 11-12 |
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| Grade 1 winner earlier in his career and finally took advantage of a lenient mark at Punchestown 11 months ago. Bit of a mixed bag since, one of his better recent efforts when runner-up at Navan in January, but wouldn't be sure to be in the same mood here. | |||||
2 |
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2. MIGHT I (IRE) J: Lorcan Murtagh T: Harry Fry |
7 11-12 |
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| Finished runner-up in 2½m Aintree Grade 1 on his final start last term and having raced too freely upped to 3m on return, ran a stormer back down a mile in trip on just his second start in handicaps when second at this track (16.8f) in January. Shortlisted in first-time tongue tie. | |||||
3 |
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3. COOL SURVIVOR (IRE) J: Sam Ewing T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
6 11-7 |
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| Fair form in bumpers and won first 2 starts over hurdles. Took his form up a notch when fourth in Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown 6 weeks ago and he's a handicap debutant to note from a top yard. | |||||
4 |
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4. MOLLY OLLYS WISHES J: Fergus Gillard T: Dan Skelton |
9 11-7 |
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| Likeable mare who has built up a good strike rate, taking Wetherby mares' listed hurdle for second year running in October. Not in same form since, though, and this is a tricky assignment for a rare start in handicap company. | |||||
5 |
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5. IMAGINE (FR) J: B. W. Harvey T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
5 11-6 |
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| Made a winning hurdling debut at Wexford in October and has filled the runner-up spot on all 3 subsequent outings. No surprise should he take his form up a notch now tackling 2½m for the first time on handicap debut. One to consider. | |||||
6 |
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6. MARK OF GOLD J: Caoilin Quinn T: Gary Moore |
6 11-6 |
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| Fairly useful winner on the Flat who has taken very well to hurdling, making it 6 wins in 12 starts when easily seeing off 8 rivals over 21f at Kempton last month. Hit with a 10 lb rise but on an upward trajectory and warrants plenty of respect. | |||||
7 |
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7. NO ORDINARY JOE (IRE) J: Luca Morgan T: Nicky Henderson |
7 11-6 |
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| Placed in the Greatwood here last season and took his form up another notch when making a successful reappearance at Kempton (2m, soft) over Christmas. Better than the result when mid-field at Newbury (16.3f) since and now steps back up in trip. | |||||
8 |
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8. IROKO (FR) J: A. P. Kelly T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero |
5 11-5 |
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| Justified good support to make a winning return/handicap debut at Wetherby in November and followed up in even more impressive fashion back there in January. Up 10 lb for that success but yet to finish improving and folly to ignore. | |||||
9 |
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9. SPIRIT OF LEGEND (FR) J: M. P. O'Connor T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
6 11-4 |
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| Made a winning start in this sphere at Navan in November and better form when runner-up in handicap next start. Below that level for no obvious reason at Fairyhouse last month but he's worth another chance. | |||||
10 |
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10. SAYLAVEE (IRE) J: Jack Foley T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
6 11-4 |
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| Dual bumper winner who is already useful over hurdles after just a handful of starts, landing a listed mares' novice at Punchestown in December. Found things tough under a penalty upped in grade at Fairyhouse since and she looks up against it. | |||||
11 |
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11. WEST TO THE BRIDGE (IRE) J: Tristan Durrell T: Dan Skelton |
10 11-4 |
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| Enjoyed a purple patch early last year, completing 4-timer at Newton Abbot (26.5f) in March. Steadily found his form this term, building on placed efforts to score at Sandown (19.8f, soft) for the second year running 10 days ago. This is a very different test under a penalty, however. | |||||
12 |
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12. SPANISH HARLEM (FR) J: M. J. M. O'Sullivan T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
5 11-2 |
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| Proving expensive to follow, placed all 3 outings for this yard having made a winning debut at Auteuil last June. However, his all-conquering trainer took a similar route when winning this in 2021 with Galopin des Champs, so he rates as a major player on handicap debut under top conditional. | |||||
13 |
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13. AU FLEURON (FR) J: Kieren Buckley T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
6 11-2 |
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| Shaped as if amiss sent chasing but took a step back in the right direction when fourth in a big-field handicap at Punchestown (19.6f, heavy) on New Year's Eve. Yard appears to have stronger candidates. | |||||
14 |
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14. IRISH HILL (GER) J: Angus Cheleda T: Paul Nicholls |
5 11-1 |
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| Fairly useful on the Flat in Germany and going from strength-to-strength over hurdles, overcoming a rise in class when completing a hat-trick at Ascot (19.3f) last month. Not yet finished improving so looks worthy of his place in this stronger company on that evidence. | |||||
15 |
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15. FIRM FOOTINGS (IRE) J: Shane Fitzgerald T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
5 11-1 |
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| Bumper winner at the second attempt who knuckled down well to break his duck over hurdles in 16-runner maiden at Navan (2m) 33 days ago, rallying to regain lead run-in. Longer trip promises to suit but he needs a lot more now upped markedly in grade. | |||||
16 |
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16. WONDERWALL (IRE) J: Non Runner T: Richard Spencer |
7 11-1 |
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| NON RUNNER. | |||||
17 |
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17. IMPULSIVE ONE (USA) J: Ben Bromley T: Nicky Henderson |
5 11-0 |
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| Showed benefit of second wind op when resuming winning ways at Huntingdon (15.8f) in November and notched his second success of the campaign at Wetherby (19.7f) last month, doing well to peg back a recent winner. Nudged up 4 lb and may feature. | |||||
18 |
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18. IN FROM THE COLD (IRE) J: Danny Gilligan T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
6 11-0 |
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| Lightly-raced hurdler who disappointed on first start for this yard but took a step back in the right direction on the Flat when third at Dundalk last month. Needs to build on that back over hurdles now. | |||||
19 |
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19. HAXO (FR) J: Kieran Callaghan T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
6 10-13 |
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| Bumper winner in France who showed improved form to get off the mark over timber at Punchestown (20.3f, heavy) in January, taking advantage of the runner-up's late error. Not beyond the realms that he has more to offer on handicap debut. | |||||
20 |
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20. BUDDY ONE (IRE) J: Jack G. Gilligan T: Paul John Gilligan, Ireland |
6 10-12 |
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| Off the mark at Fairyhouse in January and resumed progress to a significant extent when going down by just a short head in a Grade 3 at Thurles (20.7f) just over 3 weeks ago, not going down without a fight. This just his second start in handicaps so not dismissed. | |||||
21 |
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21. GROZNI (FR) J: Non Runner T: Charles Byrnes, Ireland |
7 10-11 |
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| NON RUNNER. | |||||
22 |
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22. HOLLOW SOUND (IRE) J: C. G. O'Dwyer T: Luke Comer, Ireland |
8 10-10 |
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| Yet to taste success over hurdles but put up a career best when runner-up in maiden at Punchestown (20f, good to soft) last month. Plenty more required back in handicap company. | |||||
23 |
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23. HEY JOHNNY (IRE) J: Non Runner T: Thomas Mullins, Ireland |
6 10-8 |
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| Doubled his account for the season at Thurles in January and improved again when third at Naas (15.5f) last month. Steps up in trip and this a much tougher assignment. NON RUNNER. | |||||
24 |
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24. FIFTY BALL (FR) J: Niall Houlihan T: Gary Moore |
8 10-7 |
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| Cashed in off reduced mark over extended 21f at Ascot on final start last season and having shaped as if the run was needed on return, he's been left with a bit to prove following a lacklustre effort back there (19.3f) since. | |||||
25 |
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25. INNATENDUE (FR) J: Non Runner T: A. J. Martin, Ireland |
5 10-6 |
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| Bumper winner in France but yet to get his head in front in this sphere, having no real excuses when fifth in maiden hurdle at Naas (15.5f, good to soft) 19 days ago. This step up in trip needs to bring out some significant improvement. NON RUNNER. | |||||
26 |
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26. VULTAN (IRE) J: Non Runner T: A. J. Martin, Ireland |
6 10-5 |
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| Won on final outing for Joseph O'Brien but little show in 3 starts for current yard this season, latest after 5 months off. Significantly back up in trip but best watched. NON RUNNER. | |||||
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Betting Forecast : 9/2 4.5 SPANISH HARLEM, 6/1 6 IMAGINE, 8/1 8 COOL SURVIVOR, 8/1 8 IROKO, 14/1 14 MIGHT I, 20/1 20 IRISH HILL, 20/1 20 HAXO, 25/1 25 FIRM FOOTINGS, 28/1 28 MARK OF GOLD, 33/1 33 FELIX DESJY, 33/1 33 IMPULSIVE ONE, 33/1 33 AU FLEURON, 33/1 33 BUDDY ONE, 40/1 40 MOLLY OLLYS WISHES, 40/1 40 NO ORDINARY JOE, 40/1 40 SPIRIT OF LEGEND, 66/1 66 IN FROM THE COLD, 80/1 80 SAYLAVEE, 100/1 100 WEST TO THE BRIDGE, 100/1 100 FIFTY BALL, 100/1 100 HOLLOW SOUND |
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The Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle is a race for conditional jockeys that is run on the last day of the Cheltenham Festival. As well as having to be a conditional jockey in order to enter the race, the horse entered must be aged four years or older.
The race is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about two miles and four and a half furlongs. During this handicap race, there are a total of 9 hurdles to be jumped.
The Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle is the penultimate race at the Cheltenham Festival. First run in 2009, it is named after the highly successful National Hunt trainer, Martin Pipe, who retired in 2006.
Whilst no horse or jockey has won this race more than once, trainer Willie Mullins has an excellent record in this race with three winners; Sir Des Champs (2011), Don Poli (2014) and Killultagh Vic (2015).
Gordon Elliott was denied his third consecutive winner in 2019 to draw even with Mullins, as Dallas des Pictons was overhauled late on by Early Doors who was going two places better than when third in the 2018 renewal.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle FAQs
What is the distance of the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle?
2 miles and 4 and a half furlongs
How many obstacles are jumped in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle?
9
What day of the festival is the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle?
Day 4
What time is the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle?
17:30
What weights are carried for the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle?
As it is a traditional National Hunt handicap hurdle, weights range from 11 st 12 lb for the top weight, to 10 st for the bottom weight.
What is the purse for the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle?
£70,000 (2019)
Who is the leading jockey in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle?
No jockey has won the race more than once
Who is the leading trainer in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle?
Willie Mullins
Who won the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle?
You can check out our Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle results page here to see a list of previous winners.
Where can I compare the odds for the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle?
Click the link to visit our Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle Odds Comparison page.
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