Tea Clipper bids to extend his unbeaten spree to five in valuable handicap

3.05 Huntingdon
Betway Handicap Hurdle | 2m3½f | 4yo+ | RTV

It’s not often you get a Grade 1 winner lining up at Huntingdon in midweek but we have one here as the 2016 Challow Hurdle hero Messire Des Obeaux returns from 1,034 days off the track to compete off a mark of 140 on just his third start in handicap company.

The Alan King-trained eight-year-old is 12lb higher than when last successful in a handicap but would still be thrown in if he could reproduce the best of his Grade 1 form.

It’s hard to know how much ability he retains though, and this is a tricky race for punters to weigh up as he isn’t the only one who will be reappearing after a lengthy layoff.

Messire Des Obeaux pictured before finishing second in the Sidney Banks at HuntingdonCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Nicky Henderson-trained Settie Hill hasn’t been seen for 601 days since his win in novice company at Newton Abbot in June 2018 and he looked a smart prospect when last on the course, while smart chaser Virgilio returns from 446 days off the track and is back over hurdles.

Any one of the three could throw a spanner in the works if they return at their best, but that’s a risk punters will have to take and I’d rather stick to those who have more recent form.

The two fascinating runners are Cervaro Mix and Didtheyleaveuoutto, who both return from wind surgery.

Cervaro Mix could be well treated off 127 if he can reproduce the form he showed at Fontwell in October, but that was over fences and he was held when last seen over hurdles at Taunton in December.

Didtheyleaveuoutto (second) caught Thomas Darby in a novice hurdle at Ascot in November 2018Credit: Henry Browne

Didtheyleaveuoutto comes into the race with a couple of duck eggs by his name but they came in the Galway Hurdle and a Listed handicap at Ascot in November and this will be easier.

He had recent Grade 3 winner Thomas Darby behind when successful at Ascot in November 2018 and that form would probably be good enough to win this contest off a mark of 132.

Graeme Rodway

What do the stats say?

Alan King is the only trainer in the field to have won this before as Azzerti won this race comfortably the last time it was staged in 2018. Messire Des Obeaux (1034), Settie Hill (601) and Virgilio (446) are coming back from considerable absences.

What do the trainers say?

Dan Skelton, trainer of Virgilio
It will be nice to get him back from over a year off but I don't know what to expect. He's not jumped a hurdle in a while either but this looks a nice starting point on goodish ground.

Virgilio: back over hurdlesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Anthony Bromley, racing manager to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, owners of Messire Des Obeaux
It's great to see him back but the handicapper could have been a bit more lenient in dropping him more than 6lb seeing that he has had 1034 days off. He was a good horse prior to his injury and it will be interesting to seen how much ability he retains. He'll want further than this trip in time.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Settie Hill and Colonial Dreams
It's Settie Hill's first run since winning at Newton Abbot in June 2018. He's in good form and has been going well at home but hasn't run for almost two years. Colonial Dreams is in good shape. The trip and the ground should suit him and he should benefit from the slight drop in trip.

Nick Gifford, trainer of Didtheyleaveuoutto
It's his first run since a wind operation which he underwent as he wasn't finishing off his races. He had previously got caught out over two miles and he should enjoy this trip. This is a mission of discovery but he's been in great form at home.

Tom Lacey, trainer of Tea Clipper
He likes it at Huntingdon and shaped as if this trip would suit when scoring there last time when he got up after missing the last hurdle. He seems in good form at home and hopefully can keep his run going.

Tea Clipper (centre) pictured winning at HuntingdonCredit: Steve Davies

Oliver Sherwood, trainer of Cevaro Mix
He frightened himself over fences in the autumn and should find this more his bag. He'll enjoy the drying ground and if he runs his race, he won't be far away.

Claire Dyson, trainer of Linger
He's been up against it ever since I bought him from Ireland as the handicapper put him up 15lb when he arrived.

Jim Boyle, trainer of Cristal Spirit
We're under no illusions that he's in at the deep end but it's a nice prize to go for so we're giving it a go.

Reporting by David Milnes

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