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Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
17:30 Cheltenham Festival
2024-03-15
Winner: £39,022.5
Runners: 21
Going: Heavy
No. of hurdles: 10
Distance: 2m4f56y
The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle is the final race of the Cheltenham Festival, taking place at 5.30pm on day four. It was established in 2009 and is named in honour of Martin Pipe, a 15-time champion trainer who retired in 2006 with 34 victories at the festival. As the title suggests, it is open only to conditional jockeys - professional riders who are still at the start of their careers. Check the Martin Pipe runners and riders ahead of the big race and place your bets by clicking the odds buttons.
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11(0)
-27445
Angels Breath
-
J: Dylan Johnston
T: Sam Thomas
10
11-3
136
149
Grade 2 winner over hurdles/fences in his younger days but career got interrupted by a mammoth absence; 0-7 for current yard and it's hard to envisage him winning this hot contest aged ten, despite having course form (runner-up in lower grade over 2m4f here in October).
22(0)
P-0955
Jason The Militant
-
J: Joe Williamson
T: Philip Kirby
10
10-4
123
137
Capable of very useful form for Henry de Bromhead; however, record for current stable is far from convincing and latest defeat came in lower grade at Newcastle; hopes of revival are pinned on first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces worn the last twice).
4(0)
27-P83
No Ordinary Joe
-
J: Aidan Kelly
T: Nicky Henderson
8
11-7
140
151
Acts on soft ground, unraced on heavy; showed clear signs of a return to form at Kempton (2m5f) last month, setting him up nicely for a return to the Cheltenham Festival; good second off only 1lb lower in this race last year and can't be dismissed, though the current form of his stable is a note of caution.
1(0)
/98140
Magic Tricks
-
J: Charlie O'Dwyer
T: Gordon Elliott
8
11-12
145
146
Useful handicap hurdler at about 2m; won at Down Royal (soft) in November and had no luck (badly hampered, unable to recover) at Leopardstown last month; however, he's more exposed than many of these rivals, looks vulnerable off top weight and has something to prove over this new trip.
2(0)
4-3P9U
Hollow Games
-
J: Kieren Buckley
T: Gordon Elliott
8
11-11
144
146
Chase form has gone pear-shaped since finishing third in the Galway Plate in August; filled the same position in this contest two years ago (good to soft; off 1lb lower) and holds each-way claims provided the effort is repeated on this return to hurdles.
7(0)
235810
Jay Jay Reilly
-
J: Tristan Durrell
T: Dan Skelton
8
11-6
139
147
Campaigned mostly on good/good to soft; contrasting performances since switched back to hurdles from fences, winning major handicap at Kempton (2m5f) under Tristan Durrell then well held at Ascot; the penultimate piece of form gives him a chance.
NR(0)
2U9964
Teddy Blue
-
T: Gary Moore
6
10-12
131
148
Both hurdles wins at 2m; not disgraced at Kempton (2m5f; sixth to Jay Jay Reilly) or Ascot (2m3f; finished fourth) this year, both on good to soft ground; however, didn't fully see those races out and may ideally need a return to shorter; likely to be outstayed.
NR(0)
101-P0
Thanksforthehelp
-
T: David Pipe
7
10-6
125
146
Acts on soft; showed signs of post-race heat stress at Chepstow (back from layoff) last month when failing by a long way to win that Pertemps qualifier for the second year running; shaped better than the bare result when favourite for the Pertemps Final here 12 months ago (eventually faded into 12th); could go well, provided he's back on song.
23(0)
1-4PP5
Russian Ruler
-
J: Freddie Gordon
T: Nicky Henderson
7
10-3
122
149
Ended last season with two wins but this term hasn't gone so well, most recently below-par fifth at Kelso (2m5f) where he was friendless in the betting switched back to hurdles from fences; the current form of his yard is another negative going into this tougher assignment.
3(0)
3-3410
Sonigino
-
J: Freddie Gingell
T: Paul Nicholls
7
11-10
143
150
Acts on any going; disappointing last time but may well bounce back, having been mostly progressive otherwise in the last two seasons; solid effort under Freddie Gingell in major 2m handicap here (form has worked out well) in November, then defied top weight in clearcut style at Aintree (2m4f); still of interest.
21(0)
03-139
Shared
-
J: Alice Stevens
T: Harry Derham
5
10-6
125
144
Three wins over 2m, the most recent at Chepstow (heavy) in October; shapes as if this longer distance is worth exploring but still has something to prove in strongly contested handicaps, having been well held in the Boodles here last year and the Imperial Cup at Sandown last Saturday.
18(0)
311-10
Bingoo
-
J: Patrick Wadge
T: James Moffatt
8
10-11
130
145
Acts on heavy; productive spell culminated at Aintree (upped to 2m4f) on Boxing Day, completing a hat-trick; however, form dipped sharply in major handicap at Kelso (2m; never on terms) two weeks ago, leaving him with something to prove off same mark in another hot race.
12(0)
322189
Stuzzikini
-
J: Jake Coen
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-3
136
148
Consistent spell culminated in a wide-margin win at Clonmel (3m, heavy) in November; form has dipped markedly in his two subsequent starts, which is far from ideal coming to this bigger stage and also leaves him with still something to prove off this sort of mark.
6(0)
0-F142
Better Days Ahead
-
J: Danny Gilligan
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-7
140
145
Has raced mainly on soft/heavy; disappointing when only 10-1 in the 2023 Champion Bumper; won easily at Fairyhouse (2m7f) on second hurdles start and has posted good efforts, including in Grade 2 behind subsequent Supreme winner Slade Steel, at Navan (2m4f/2m) since; possibilities provided he remains in form back at Cheltenham.
10(0)
-12152
What's Up Darling
-
J: Conor Stone-Walsh
T: Gordon Elliott
7
11-4
137
143
Campaigned at 2m (on soft/heavy) since switched to hurdles; ties in with Answer To Kayf on October running and bagged Grade 3 honours next time; readily brushed aside by useful mare on latest start; pedigree and other factors suggest this step up in trip is well worth exploring.
17(0)
122453
Mel Monroe
-
J: Ben Harvey
T: Gordon Elliott
6
10-12
131
145
Ran well over 2m4f here in October but this is a stiffer assignment and she has shown no further progress, well-held third to notable stablemate at Navan (Listed) most recently; sole win over hurdles came in an ordinary race last summer; others preferred.
19(0)
163135
Fiveonefive
-
J: E Walsh
T: Cian Collins
6
10-10
129
149
Irish hurdler who has winning form on British soil, namely at Cartmel (2m1f, good to soft) and Hereford (2m, good); seemingly outstayed over 2m4f at Punchestown (soft to heavy) last month and evidently needs a return to shorter; headgear enlisted.
5(0)
P4-11
Quai De Bourbon
-
J: Michael O'Sullivan
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
140
147
Ex-French youngster who is 2-2 (2m3f/2m) since joining Willie Mullins, who has won this contest four times; all out in small field at Clonmel (2m, heavy) last time, having jumped none too fluently, and that form lacks depth; however, he looks open to further progress now up in trip and has to be feared given the yard he represents.
9(0)
-81231
Answer To Kayf
-
J: John Shinnick
T: Terence O'Brien
8
11-4
137
142
Steadily improving novice hurdler who has built up a good partnership with John Shinnick this season, winning at Naas (2m3f, heavy) most recently; ran well at Fairyhouse (2m4f; just under 2l behind Waterford Whispers) and Limerick (2m7f Grade 2) in December; holds very solid claims on handicap debut and is one for the shortlist.
15(0)
121640
Sequestered
-
J: Jack G Gilligan
T: Paul John Gilligan
6
10-13
132
141
Successful twice over 2m4f this term, overcoming adversity to beat Stuzzikini at Galway (heavy) on second occasion; not in the same form since, most recently never landing a blow in big-field handicap at Leopardstown (3m); not the percentage call in another warm event.
14(0)
71-P18
Ocastle Des Mottes
-
J: Kieran Callaghan
T: W P Mullins
5
11-0
133
145
Acts on heavy; successful in handicap hurdles (2m2f) in two of his last three French starts; didn't live up to market expectations in major race at Newbury (2m; reshod beforehand) on debut for Willie Mullins, fading in the latter stages; should do better at some stage but he's not guaranteed to stay this new trip judged on breeding.
13(0)
7-112
Waterford Whispers
-
J: Mike O'Connor
T: Henry De Bromhead
6
11-0
133
143
Unexposed sort who beat Answer To Kayf at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft; won going away) in December, following up his reappearance success; ran creditably at Leopardstown (2m4f, soft to heavy) in the hat-trick attempt, beating all bar a rival who dictated the pace; should have more to offer and looks an ideal type for this race; strongly respected.
8(0)
321133
Yeats Star
-
J: Shane Fitzgerald
T: Gordon Elliott
5
11-5
138
146
Successful twice (2m2f/2m) on soft ground in the autumn; good third in a couple of handicaps at Leopardstown (2m4f/3m) since and the latest effort shows he's effective in a huge field; ties in with Waterford Whispers on the penultimate piece of form; consistent and steadily progressive, so looks set for another big run.
RACING POST TIP
Waterford Whispers
Willie Mullins is doubly represented in his bid for a fifth Martin Pipe success but Quai De Bourbon's form lacks depth and Ocastle Des Mottes has stamina to prove upped in distance. Preference is for the Henry de Bromhead-trained WATERFORD WHISPERS who has a solid record this season, should be capable of further improvement and looks the perfect sort for this assignment. Answer To Kayf (second choice) and Yeats Star (third choice) are solid contenders who tie in with the selection, while Better Days Ahead is another Irish challenger who looks shortlist material. Thanksforthehelp, Sonigino and No Ordinary Joe look best of the British contestants.
MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2023 | Iroko | 4-11 | 5 | 6/1 | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero | Aidan Kelly |
| 2022 | Banbridge | 114-71 | 6 | 12/1 | Joseph O’Brien | Mark McDonagh |
| 2021 | Galopin Des Champs | 1-2PU6 | 5 | 8-1 | Willie Mullins | S O’Keefe |
| 2020 | Indefatigable | 52231 | 7 | 25-1 | Paul Webber | Rex Dingle |
| 2019 | Early Doors | 930-52 | 6 | 5-1 | Joseph O’Brien | Jonjo O’Neill jnr |
| 2018 | Blow By Blow | 32161 | 7 | 11-1 | Gordon Elliott | Donagh Meyler |
| 2017 | Champagne Classic | 23213 | 6 | 12-1 | Gordon Elliott | JJ Slevin |
| 2016 | Ibis Du Rheu | 64-235 | 5 | 14-1 | Paul Nicholls | Jack Sherwood |
| 2015 | Kilultagh Vic | 65-123 | 6 | 7/1 | Willie Mullins | Luke Dempsey |
| 2014 | Don Poli | 2-211 | 5 | 12-1 | Willie Mullins | Mikey Fogarty |
MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP KEY TRENDS AND STATS
Key trends
- Top-three finish in at least one of last two starts, 9/10
- No more than eight hurdle runs, 9/10
- Officially rated 137-145, 9/10
- Aged five or six, 8/10
- Had won that season, 8/10
- Rated within 5lb of RPR top-rated, 7/10
Other factors
- Willie Mullins (three) Gordon Elliott (two) and Joseph O’Brien account for the seven Irish-trained winners, three of whom were owned by Gigginstown.
- The six winners from 2012 to 2017 carried between 11st 1lb and 11st 7lb. Four of the last six shouldered 11st 9lb or 11st 10lb.
- Willie Mullins trained the last two winners rated lower than 137 (Killultagh Vic in 2015 and Sir Des Champs in 2011)
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WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP 2023
IROKO looked in big trouble when losing his pitch coming down the hill, but he rallied turning in, and found another gear on the run-in to take his record this season to 3-3. No Ordinary Joe did little wrong in defeat, looking likely to collect at the last, but was run down by a better-handicapped rival and stronger stayer. Buddy One ran a fine race off a mark 22lb higher than when second on his handicap debut at Limerick in January. Might I came home in fourth and showed his progression continued into handicaps this season having run behind Constitution Hill and Jonbon, giving this form some considerable substance.