Can Gigginstown Secure Back-To-Back Martin Pipes?

The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap is the penultimate race of the 2015 Cheltenham Festival and sees these conditional riders and their mounts take on a 2m,4f trip containing nine hurdles. This year 24 runners will be looking to secure the class two title with the favourite currently being Gigginstown Stud`s Roi Des Francs who can be backed at a price of 9/2 at most bookmakers.

Being rated 139 gives Roi Des Francs a nice weighting in this field, and has been happily treated by the handicapper after back-to-back wins at 22f. The first of these victories, at Thurles, was the most outstanding by far, putting five lengths between himself and the favourite Venitien De Mai despite carrying a massive 8lb heavier burden of weight. Roi Des Francs then followed this up by sealing a Clonmel Grade Three on his reappearance.

What we can learn from this is, quite simply, that the six-year-old has the stamina for the job as well as being a charge comfortable with the sorts of good-to-soft conditions that he will meet today. He has had four races this season, however, and whether Willie Mullins has put him in the shop window by giving him so much exposure is a worry. This will also be his first run in mainland Britain and punters will have to hope that he has travelled well.

Paul Nicholls` top weight Le Mercurey is the second favourite for this Martin Pipe at the price of 9/1 though paddy Power are the only bookmakers currently offering this best price.

Le Mercurey`s season got off to a slow start as he finished seventh out of eight in a Newbury intermediate hurdle over 2m. He was in the company of the likes of Supreme Novices` place horse L`Ami Serge and heavy ground isn`t his forte though connections would have hoped for better at a price of 9/2.

The five-year-old improved sufficiently to record a place in an Ascot 19f Grade Two hurdle back in January, looking much more comfortable with soft conditions against some big names.

Even further improvement is expected from this progressive type who is more than capable of leaving his opponents for dust should everything go his way today.

Full Shift is the best backed of JP McManus` two runners at a price of 12/1 (betfred, Skybet, Stan James, Totesport). Indeed, he is also the best fancied of the two Nicky Henderson horses with Royal Irish Hussar available at 40/1 with Betbright.

Six-year-old Full Shift has not been seen since finishing 11th in this race this time last year. Indeed, he was the favourite for last year`s renewal and the Lambourn team will be hoping for bigger things from this 135 rated hurdling son of Ballingarry.

In his favour this time round is of course having that initial experience under his belt. Whilst he is 2lbs higher than his last Festival run, there is also a bit of juice in the ground and this will suit him with his last hurdles win coming on soft.

The 12/1 chance is once again partnered by Nico De Boinville who can no longer claim an allowance. In spite of this the jockey seems to improve with each ride and will be hungry to get his first win of the Festival in what is sure to be his best chance.

Other solid each-way bets in the Martin Pipe include Mullins` third-string Mckinley who`s available at 12/1 (Numerous), Vieux Lion Rouge who`s a 25/1 shot with Coral for David Pipe despite being near the top of the weights and Jenny Candlish`s Party Rock who`s available at 50/1 (betway, sportingbet, Stan James).

Go To bet365

#Ad

13/03/2015     © Frixo 2026