County Handicap Hurdle tips 2021
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View Keith's tips for the County Handicap Hurdle
When is the Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle 2021?
Cheltenham Friday 19th March 2.10pm
Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (5yo+)
Distance: 2 miles
Weights: Handicap
The second race on day four is the Randox Health County Hurdle better known as the County Hurdle. It is run over about two miles and one furlong and they clear eight hurdles as in the previous race.
Dan Skelton has saddled three of the last four winners.
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County Handicap Hurdle Records
Fastest Win: DESERT QUEST 2006 ridden by Ruby Walsh trained by Paul Nicholls finished in 232.7s – 3 minutes 52.7 seconds
Leading jockey since 1946 (4 wins):
Ruby Walsh – Sporazene (2004), Desert Quest (2006), American Trilogy (2009), Final Approach (2011)
Leading trainer since 1946 (4 wins):
Paul Nicholls – Sporazene (2004), Desert Quest (2006), American Trilogy (2009), Lac Fontana (2014)
Willie Mullins – Thousand Stars (2010), Final Approach (2011), Wicklow Brave (2015), Arctic Fire (2017)
Source: Wikipedia
County Handicap Hurdle Trends and Statistics
12 Year Trends and Statistics
- Age – All of the last 12 winners have been aged between 5 and 8.
- Sex – All of the last 12 winners were geldings.
- Trainer – Willie Mullins (5) and Dan Skelton (3) and Paul Nicholls (2) are the only trainers to saddle more than 1 winner in the last 12 years..
- Country – 4 of the last 12 winners were bred in Ireland, 4 in France, 3 in Great Britain and 1 in Germany.
- Colour – 9 of the last 12 winners were bay..
- Weight Carried – 9 of the last 12 winners have carried at between 10st 5lb and 11st 1lb.
- Starting Price (SP) – 10 of the last 12 winners have been between 10/1 and 33/1.
- Starting Price Rank – Just 1 favourite has won in the last 12 years and 4 winners were in the first 4 in the betting.
- Headgear – 10 of the last 12 winners wore no headgear.
- Days Since Last Run – 10 of the last 12 winners had run between 26 and 150 days ago.
- Last Run Form – 3 of the last 12 winners had won last time out. 8 finished in the first 3.
- Official Rating – 10 of the last 12 winners had an official rating between 134 and 139.
Who are the County Handicap Hurdle Leading Contenders?
Keith is working through the Cheltenham hopefuls and will update this section as soon as he has made his shortlist of contenders
What’s Keith’s County Handicap Hurdle Tips for 2021?
Keith's shortlist and Antepost tips will appear here as soon as he has made his selections. To be sure to find out who Keith selects on the morning of the race, join our VIP Club
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What was Keith’s County Handicap Hurdle Tip for 2020?
Here is what Keith wrote for the 2020 Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle.
Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins have won seven of the last twelve renewals of this race between them.
After flicking through the likely contenders, one that stands out is CIEL DE NEIGE. Trained by Mullins, third last March in the juvenile handicap hurdle he has ran really well in every race since although on the down side he is yet to win.
Unlucky not to break his duck at Newbury in the Grade 3 Betfair hurdle, where he was just beaten by PIC D’ORTHY, who may reoppose in this but will be 3lb worse off at the weights.
My selection for the Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle 2020 is: CIEL DE NEIGE 20/1 each way (NRNB).
On the day, CEIL DU NEIGE looked well enough in the County Handicap Hurdle but he appeared to hit a wall and stopped very quickly.
County Handicap Hurdle Results
Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
Distance: 2m1f (3699 yards) Prize (winner): £56270 Dir: Left Handed
Runners: 24 Going: Soft Class: Class 1 Grade 3 Age Restrictions: 5yo+
Winners Time: 4 mins 2.42s Avg OR: 140 Median OR: 139.5
| No | Place | Dist Bt | Horse | Age | OR | Trainer | Jockey (Claim) | Odds | BF | BFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 1st | Saint Roi (FR) | 5 | 137 | Mullins, W P | Geraghty, B J | 11/2 (Fav) | 7.60 | 3.10 | |
| held up towards rear, smooth headway after 2 out, challenged going well last, soon led, quickened clear, cosily BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 10 | ||||||||||
| 2 | 2nd | 4.5 | Aramon (GER) | 7 | 149 | Mullins, W P | Townend, P | 8/1 | 10.00 | 3.18 |
| held up in rear, headway on outside after 2 out, shaken up against stands rail before last, ridden and switched left flat, stayed on, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner BF IP MIN 4 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 3 | 3rd | HD | Embittered (IRE) | 6 | 146 | OBrien, Joseph Patrick | Slevin, J J | 14/1 | 17.26 | 5.08 |
| chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led next, headed after last, no impression on winner, kept on BF IP MIN 6 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 10 | 4th | HD | Buildmeupbuttercup | 6 | 141 | Mullins, W P | Mullins, D E | 16/1 | 20.17 | 4.64 |
| held up towards rear, headway after 2 out going well, every chance last, no impression on winner flat, kept on BF IP MIN 2.1 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 20 | 5th | 3.75 | Elusive Belle (IRE) | 6 | 136 | Henderson, N J | Waley-Cohen, Mr S (3) | 20/1 | 37.35 | 6.58 |
| mid-division, headway after 3 out, chasing leaders before last, stayed on same pace flat BF IP MIN 10 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 9 | 6th | 2.25 | Moon Over Germany (IRE) | 9 | 141 | Bromhead, Henry De | Blackmore, Rachael | 25/1 | 31.93 | 6.60 |
| mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon close up, hanging left before last, faded flat BF IP MIN 4 BF IP MAX 65 | ||||||||||
| 15 | 7th | HD | Thatsy (FR) | 6 | 139 | Elliott, Gordon | Russell, D N | 8/1 | 11.00 | 3.74 |
| held up towards rear, headway after 2 out, kept on flat, never on terms with leaders BF IP MIN 10.5 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 17 | 8th | 1 | Beat The Judge (IRE) | 5 | 138 | Moore, G L | Moore, Joshua | 66/1 | 179.39 | 23.00 |
| in touch in mid-division, headway after 2 out, driven before last, one pace BF IP MIN 11 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 25 | 9th | 1.5 | Sir Valentine (GER) | 7 | 134 | Twiston-Davies, N A | Bargary, J P | 20/1 | 43.42 | 6.40 |
| chased leaders, outpaced after 2 out, no impression after BF IP MIN 26 BF IP MAX 950 | ||||||||||
| 7 | 10th | NSE | Mohaayed | 8 | 142 | Skelton, Daniel | Andrews, Bridget | 11/1 | 18.74 | 3.85 |
| in touch in mid-division on outside, closed 3rd, switched right 2 out, one pace last, no impression BF IP MIN 10 BF IP MAX 890 | ||||||||||
| 6 | 11th | SH | Scaramanga (IRE) | 5 | 142 | Nicholls, P F | Carver, Bryan (5) | 50/1 | 58.09 | 9.88 |
| in touch in mid-division, headway after 2 out, beaten when mistake last, weakened flat BF IP MIN 17 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 16 | 12th | 1 | Oakley (IRE) | 7 | 138 | Hobbs, P J | Johnson, Richard | 25/1 | 30.96 | 6.46 |
| in rear, pushed along after 1st, headway approaching last, no impression BF IP MIN 30 BF IP MAX 500 | ||||||||||
| 26 | 13th | 1.25 | Lethal Steps | 5 | 133 | Elliott, Gordon | ORegan, Denis | 50/1 | 210.00 | 20.36 |
| in touch in mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway after 3 out, weakened before last BF IP MIN 50 BF IP MAX 400 | ||||||||||
| 24 | 14th | 3.5 | Tiger Voice (FR) | 5 | 134 | Bromhead, Henry De | Coleman, A | 50/1 | 110.00 | 17.00 |
| held up towards rear, not clear run when effort after 2 out, weakened before last BF IP MIN 40 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 14 | 15th | 1 | Ciel De Neige (FR) | 5 | 139 | Mullins, W P | Walsh, M P | 6/1 | 7.73 | 2.72 |
| mid-division, headway after 2 out, driven and weakened before last BF IP MIN 7 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 4 | 16th | 3 | Christopher Wood (IRE) | 5 | 145 | Nicholls, P F | Cobden, Harry | 33/1 | 50.00 | 9.19 |
| held up towards rear, effort after 2 out, weakened before blunder last BF IP MIN 30 BF IP MAX 950 | ||||||||||
| 21 | 17th | 2.75 | Rathhill (IRE) | 7 | 135 | Henderson, N J | Boinville, Nico | 25/1 | 36.00 | 11.08 |
| held up towards rear, well beaten 2 out BF IP MIN 27 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 11 | 18th | 2.5 | Adjali (GER) | 5 | 140 | Henderson, N J | Jacob, Daryl | 16/1 | 21.00 | 4.76 |
| chased leaders, lost place before 2 out, soon behind BF IP MIN 17 BF IP MAX 950 | ||||||||||
| 13 | 19th | 1.5 | Tiger Tap Tap (GER) | 5 | 139 | Mullins, W P | Mullins, David | 28/1 | 36.66 | 8.06 |
| held up in rear, modest effort wide after 2 out, soon weakened BF IP MIN 14.5 BF IP MAX 950 | ||||||||||
| 8 | 20th | 0.75 | Pakens Rock (IRE) | 7 | 142 | Murphy, B T | Brouder, Mr K J (3) | 40/1 | 48.12 | 9.05 |
| led after 1st, headed next, weakened quickly after 2 out BF IP MIN 36 BF IP MAX 990 | ||||||||||
| 12 | 21st | 1 | Zanza (IRE) | 6 | 140 | Hobbs, P J | Houlihan, Sean M (3) | 33/1 | 33.15 | 6.48 |
| mid-division, lost place before 3rd, behind 3 out BF IP MIN 38 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 1 | 22nd | 13 | Eldorado Allen (FR) | 6 | 150 | Tizzard, C L | Power, R M | 33/1 | 55.00 | 9.30 |
| chased leaders, ridden and weakening when hampered on inside after 2 out, soon well behind BF IP MIN 27 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 19 | 23rd | 33 | Le Ligerien (FR) | 7 | 137 | Hobbs, P J | Jones, Ben R (3) | 50/1 | 94.18 | 13.00 |
| not always fluent, led until after 1st, led 2nd, mistake and headed 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off BF IP MIN 46 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 5 | PU | Stolen Silver (FR) | 5 | 143 | Twiston-Davies, N A | Twiston-Davies, Sam | 12/1 | 18.00 | 4.40 | |
| prominent, not fluent 3rd, lost place after 5th, weakening when blundered 3 out, pulled up before 2 out BF IP MIN 15 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
Non Runners – Minella Charmer (IRE), You Raised Me Up (IRE)
County Handicap Hurdle Previous Winners
| Date | Going | Runners | Winner | Stallion | Age | Jockey (Clm) | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.03.2020 | Soft | 24 | Saint Roi (FR) | Coastal Path | 5 | Geraghty, B J | Mullins, W P | 11/2 |
| 15.03.2019 | Good To Soft | 24 | Chtibello (FR) | Sageburg (IRE) | 8 | Skelton, Harry | Skelton, Daniel | 12/1 |
| 16.03.2018 | Soft | 24 | Mohaayed | Intikhab (USA) | 6 | Andrews, Bridget (3) | Skelton, Daniel | 33/1 |
| 17.03.2017 | Good | 25 | Arctic Fire (GER) | Soldier Hollow | 8 | Townend, P | Mullins, W P | 20/1 |
| 18.03.2016 | Good | 26 | Superb Story (IRE) | Duke Of Marmalade (IRE) | 5 | Skelton, Harry | Skelton, Daniel | 8/1 |
| 13.03.2015 | Soft | 24 | Wicklow Brave | Beat Hollow | 6 | Townend, P | Mullins, W P | 25/1 |
| 14.03.2014 | Good | 28 | Lac Fontana (FR) | Shirocco (GER) | 5 | Jacob, Daryl | Nicholls, P F | 11/1 |
| 15.03.2013 | Good To Soft | 28 | Ted Veale (IRE) | Revoque (IRE) | 6 | Cooper, Bryan J | Martin, A J | 10/1 |
| 16.03.2012 | Good | 26 | Alderwood (IRE) | Alderbrook | 8 | McCoy, A P | Mullins, Thomas | 20/1 |
| 18.03.2011 | Good | 26 | Final Approach | Pivotal | 5 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 10/1 |
| 19.03.2010 | Good | 28 | Thousand Stars (FR) | Grey Risk (FR) | 6 | Walsh, Ms K (3) | Mullins, W P | 20/1 |
| 13.03.2009 | Good To Soft | 27 | American Trilogy (IRE) | Sendawar (IRE) | 5 | Walsh, R | Nicholls, P F | 20/1 |
| 14.03.2008 | Good To Soft | 22 | Silver Jaro (FR) | Muhtathir | 5 | Fehily, Noel | Hogan, T | 50/1 |
| 16.03.2007 | Good To Soft | 28 | Pedrobob (IRE) | Pierre | 9 | Carberry, P A | Mullins, Anthony | 12/1 |
| 17.03.2006 | Good | 29 | Desert Quest (IRE) (OLD) | Rainbow Quest (USA) | 6 | Walsh, R | Nicholls, P F | 4/1 |
| 18.03.2005 | Good | 30 | Fontanesi (IRE) | Sadlers Wells (USA) | 5 | Murphy, Timmy | Pipe, M C | 16/1 |
| 18.03.2004 | Good | 23 | Sporazene (IRE) | Cozzene (USA) | 5 | Walsh, R | Nicholls, P F | 7/1 |
| 13.03.2003 | Good | 28 | Spirit Leader (IRE) | Supreme Leader | 7 | Geraghty, B J | Harrington, Mrs John | 10/1 |
| 14.03.2002 | Good | 21 | Rooster Booster | Riverwise (USA) | 8 | Johnson, Richard | Hobbs, P J | 8/1 |
| 16.03.2000 | Good To Firm | 21 | Master Tern (USA) | Generous (IRE) | 5 | Dobbin, Tony | ONeill, Jonjo | 9/2 |
| 18.03.1999 | Good To Soft | 28 | Sir Talbot | Ardross | 5 | Murphy, Timmy | Old, J A B | 10/1 |
| 19.03.1998 | Good | 27 | Blowing Wind (FR) | Fabulous Dancer (USA) | 5 | McCoy, A P | Pipe, M C | 15/8 |
| 13.03.1997 | Good | 20 | Barna Boy (IRE) | Torus | 9 | Dunwoody, R | Henderson, N J | 14/1 |
Who is FRT’s Cheltenham Day 4 Tipster?
Keith Bond is our resident pro tipster here at FRT Towers. Keith lives and breathes horse racing, having begun his love of horse racing over 40 years ago with a part time job at Catterick Racecourse, as one of three fourteen year-olds looking after two jumps and a hurdle.
Over the years, Keith has been a regular at the northern tracks attending countless race meetings and building up a network of contacts, and a portfolio of systems and strategies.
He was one of the co-founders of Free Racing Tips all the way back in 2008, and his free tips are now backed by more than seventy thousand FRT members every single day.
“Thanks Keith – It’s great to be part of an amazing group of people all after the same thing, passing on tips to beat the bookies”
Colin Parkinson, Harrow.
The FRT community love Keith’s attention to detail, knowledge of past races, and ability to pick horses...
“You offer some great tips, some fantastic outsiders tipped up as well. Most tipsters just put up favourites. Well done and keep up the good work”
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Cheltenham Festival Friday
Race Schedule
| START TIMES | RACE | DISTANCE | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | The JCB Triumph Hurdle | 2m abt 1f | Hurdle |
| 14:10 | The County Handicap Hurdle Race | 2m abt 1f | Hurdle |
| 14:50 | The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race | abt 3m | Hurdle |
| 15:30 | The Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1) | 3m abt 2½ f | Chase |
| 16:10 | The St. James’s Foxhunter Chase | 3m abt 2½ f | Chase |
| 16:50 | The Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Steeple Chase | 2m abt ½f | Chase |
| 17:30 | Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle | 2m abt 4½ f | Hurdle |
The Countdown to Cheltenham 2021
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