We’re moving over to the New Course for day three which brings staying ability more to the fore.

The Pertemps Final is run over three miles and it will be a real slog on the ground. This is truly about stamina, while the maximum field of 24 runners going over twelve hurdles means things will get crowded and tight at times.

Assuming stamina is assured and runners are capable on the ground, this comes down to which horse is the best handicapped.

Main Contenders

Hector Javilex 

Charlie Longsdon’s runner is six years old, with potential, and carries a fair racing weight for this challenge.

He’s won three of his 7 hurdles, his most notable win coming on New Year’s Day over this very course and distance on soft ground when he scored by seven lengths and in some style.

He went up 8lbs for that, but his defeat next time at Huntingdon would seem to have little to do with his rating and another Cheltenham victory remains very possible.

Maxxum

Davy Russell’s mount carries a big weight for this race and his recent form is very in and out.

Based on his last run he can’t win this off 145, similar thoughts apply to his victory in November when he ran to a mark of around 120.

In between however he demolished a 27-runner field at Leopardstown over Christmas by 16 lengths on soft ground, form that would give him every chance here. His profile overall however suggests it’s hard to trust that he can put that performance, or better, in again.

Moka De Vassy

On a lovely weight and a fair rating is Moka De Vassy for the Jane Williams yard.

Just a five-year-old, he hasn’t won yet but he was second to Pied Piper last January in a Grade 2, ran fifth of 10 on Trials Day here (Grade 2) and was third to Walking On Air at Exeter last time out.

He doesn’t look the obvious winner of this race, but he’s going the right way and is potentially well handicapped.

Risk And Roll

Thrown into the mix at a huge price is Risk And Roll.

At around 100/1, this is the sort of horse you can take reduced odds on with extra each-way places and he may just give you a big run.

Experienced now after 16 runs, Risk And Roll was placed twice in November in decent handicap hurdles and he’s now down to a very handy rating.

Thanksforthehelp

JP McManus, David Pipe and Mark Walsh team up here with a horse who has every chance on our book.

The six-year-old gelding began hurdling in December 2021 and all he’s done since is improve. More to the point, he doesn’t at all look as though his upward trajectory has halted.

His key piece of form, naturally, came last time out. In a Pertemps qualifier over three miles on slightly soft ground at Chepstow, Thanksforthehelp travelled with purpose throughout before sweeping by a competitive field and winning the race in a hack canter.

He went up from 117 to 128 for that, but that run had he been asked for an effort would have been worth a rating in the mid-130’s for certain and there’s no doubt that there is further improvement to come, making him look very well in indeed.

Walking On Air

Many have felt that Walking On Air is a big Saturday (or festival) winner waiting to happen for some time.

A win at Newbury last January and success last month at Exeter have been his highlights, while his reputation has also led to him being a beaten favourite three times over hurdles.

His win last time was a comfortable one on good ground and he’s gone up 5lbs for that. The rating isn’t a worry for an improving horse and we also note that the top progeny of his sire Walk In The Park; Douvan, Min, Facile Vega and Walk In The Mill all put in their highest rated performances on soft ground.

Summary

As we mentioned, this race should ultimately come down to the best handicapped horses. In our view, assuming all is well in the conditions, they are Walking On Air and THANKSFORTHEHELP with the latter getting the vote.

Walking On Air has a big one in him, but the level of improvement and ability on the ground we expect is not guaranteed. There are more guarantees and more potential in Thanksforthehelp who gives David Pipe a big chance to land the race he won in 2010 and 2011 with Buena Vista.