This year's Martin Pipe partly revolves around whether Kopeck De Mee, who could be very well treated, lives up to expectations on his debut for Willie Mullins. That progressive ex-French runner has to be feared, while unbeaten hurdler Wodhooh is another highly obvious player, as the early betting reflects. There are several plausible alternatives among the remainder, most notably TAPONTHEGO who has solid 2m4f form and looks very interesting returned to this distance with further improvement still possible. Second choice is Minella Sixo, who ran well behind a subsequent Grade 1 winner in his sole Cheltenham outing. East India Express, who has made a great start to his handicap career, looks the pick of the British contenders.[Steve Boow]
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Interesting on the bare form of his 2m Grade 2 novice win at Fairyhouse (turned over Romeo Coolio) in December; weighted accordingly, however, and failed to convince with stamina over 2m4f on penultimate start; something to prove.
Successful in useful mares' handicap over C&D (good to soft; first go beyond 2m1f; ridden by Danny Gilligan) in sole start this term, taking hurdles record to 6-6, and the form has worked out very well (next three home have won notable prizes since); much respected even though she's up 11lb.
On a ten-race losing sequence that goes back to December 2022; however, he ran well (second off 1lb higher) in this race in 2023 and had an excuse (stable under a big cloud) when only seventh last year; tongue-tie now fitted; capable of being involved.
Record of 4-7 under rules, all wins at about 2m; close second in 2m3f Listed contest at Huntingdon (good to soft) on penultimate start but a 14lb rise for that effort could prove harsh and this is a stiffer test all round.
Niggled along but still in touch when falling three out at Haydock (3m) last time; consistent (12123) otherwise over hurdles and has Graded form; solid second behind notable rival in sole Cheltenham start (good), which was also his only attempt over 2m4f; firmly in calculations.
Campaigned mostly at 2m; won 2m4f maiden at Leopardstown (good to yielding) penultimate outing but was all out and just held on; back up in trip, he may succumb to stronger finishers up the hill in this much deeper contest.
Record of 3-7 under James Turner, the wins over 2m3f last season and 3m on penultimate outing (all on soft ground); ran creditably over the latter trip last time; remains on career-high mark and others are likely to prove better handicapped.
Progressive hurdles form in France culminated in a hat-trick last spring, the final leg in Listed event at Auteuil (2m2f, very soft; won going away); potentially on a lenient opening mark and, in keeping with the ante-post betting, looks very interesting on debut for Willie Mullins.
Last two efforts (2m; latest under Mike O'Connor) suggest he'll relish this step back up in distance; solid form in two attempts over 2m4f, winning Tipperary maiden (soft) then good second in Leopardstown handicap (good to yielding); interesting, with a resumption of progress on the cards.
Scored comfortably over 2m3f at Clonmel (yielding) on second run for Willie Mullins; subsequent 2m Grade 1 efforts suggest he's not up to that standard and this handicap target is more suitable; may show progress back up in distance; one to consider.
Ran well at Cheltenham (fifth over 2m4f) in October and Windsor (close second over 3m) in January; inconsistent otherwise this term and this looks a stiffer task; however, it's worth nothing that he is 2-2 under Finn Lambert.
Solid record under Lewis Saunders comprises two Class 3 wins (at about 2m4f) in November and a creditable third last time; however, remains on career-high mark and faces a tougher assignment in this hot race.
Lightly raced 8yo mare whose record of 2-2 since handicapping includes a C&D success in December 2023 (followed up at Lingfield); looked open to further progress but has been absent for 14 months; heed the market signals.
Productive spell featured wins at Cheltenham (2m4f/3m, good) last April/November; no further progress since, including here, and disappointing favourite at Kempton most recently; headgear now applied; difficult task off current mark.
Straightforward task at Fontwell (2m3f) last time; raised a total of 15lb for two Newbury efforts that may not be entirely solid, so has something to prove off this mark in a warm contest on handicap debut.
Record of 3-17 over hurdles, the most recent win in October; good second in Listed handicaps kept to 2m4f the last twice, finishing strongly at Leopardstown (good to yielding) in December latest; should go well, provided the form is sustained.
Has raced on only soft/heavy; encouraging form in two handicaps at this sort of distance, winning at Naas 12 months ago and keeping-on fifth in big field at Navan in sole outing this term (wore tongue-tie, absent today); still unexposed over 2m4f and could go well.
Completely lost his form over fences last season and was sold out of Paul Nicholls' yard for £14,000 in July; not seen over hurdles since winning at Kelso (2m5f) four years ago; on a handy mark but has enough to prove on belated reappearance.
Respectable strike-rate (Flat/hurdles) during his spell with Fergal O'Brien; encouraging placed effort at Kempton (2m5f; second run for new yard) most recently; won a race of this nature at Aintree (2m, soft; off 2lb lower) two years ago.
Flat winner for previous yard and has scored over hurdles (2m2f) since joining Willie Mullins; however, lacked fluency and ran poorly in Dublin Racing Festival handicap (2m) last time; needs improvement back up in trip.
Soundly beaten over 3m (first attempt beyond 2m2f) last month on return from a break; may have a better chance of staying this trip but the form of his summer wins is a world away from Cheltenham Festival standard.
Two from two since switched to handicap level, namely a quickfire 2m5f double under Freddie Gordon at Ascot (good to soft) and Kempton (good) in December; those wins took his overall record to 4-7; open to further improvement and is one for the shortlist.
Form for previous stable featured a good fourth in the 4yo handicap at this meeting 12 months ago and success at Punchestown (2m3f); inconsistent for new yard and failed to beat a rival the last twice (2m7f); others preferred.
Useful for Dan Skelton early in career but became largely disappointing and has been absent since a heavy defeat in France for Rebecca Menzies in June 2023; sold for £20,000 that August; cheekpieces reapplied; best watched.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
