2.05 COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE: RACE PREVIEW

This tip has expired. Please check our free horse racing tips section of the website to find the most up to date.

THE County Hurdle is one of the most difficult handicaps to solve, a handicap hurdle run over two miles and one furlong on the last day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Cotton Mill, one of the favourites for the County, was leading the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle last year when veering to his left at the second last, unseating Denis O’Regan, and on his first start of this campaign finished five lengths behind My Tent Or Yours at Newbury.

Swing Bowler enhanced her reputation despite losing her unbeaten record in the big two-mile handicap at Newbury last time.

Court Minstrel, a six-year-old, last ran in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in which he finished fourth to Melodic Rendezvous, tiring up the hill in the heavy going after looking set to take a hand in the finish.

Forgotten Voice recently was very impressive at Kempton. This classy sort won the Royal Hunt Cup on the flat and was successful in his first two starts over hurdles before disappointing in soft ground.

Mr Mole, carrying the colours of JP McManus, was a ready winner at Taunton last month and beat subsequent Grade One winner Melodic Rendezvous in October.

Willie Mullins’s Tennis Cap seems to be a horse that has more to come and could be a good bet wherever he runs

One horse to definitely keep on side from the Newbury race though is Claret Cloak, who would have hated the gluey ground and is much better judged on his third to Raya Star in a similarly competitive Ascot handicap previously.

Mr Watson was a C&D winner on trials day. But this horse has attitude problems and didn’t respond well to the whip last time. Plenty of reasons to avoid him.

Ifandbutwhynot won very well at Musselburgh last time and might be the dark horse for this race.

PICK THE WINNER – GET A £10 FREE BET AT BET365

Pick the winner of this race and you could win a £10 free bet at Bet365. Post who you think will win the race in the comments section below. Include the current odds from Bet365 and you'll enter a draw to win a £10 free bet if your selection wins*.

VISIT BET365 NOW – Open an account and get upto £200 in FREE BETS

*This offer is available at all races at Cheltenham today – individuals cannot win multiple free bets. Winners selected at Mr Fixits discretion.

🔗 Share Your Horse Racing Tips on Social Media