It would be very easy to put all Cheltenham Festival handicaps in the ‘impossible’ bracket – but where would the fun be in that?

The Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle is a 2m1f Grade 3 all-aged handicap. It remains one of The Festival’s big betting heats and gambles are not uncommon. With most of the top stables represented by at least one, the market on the day needs scrutinising but there looks to be some obvious candidates

County Handicap Hurdle Recent Winners

County Hurdle Trends

• • 80 per cent of the last 10 winners were officially rated between 134 and 139.
  • 85 per cent of the last 13 winners failed to win their previous start.
  • Dan Skelton has trained three of the last four winners.

Horse Racing Betting at Betvictor

County Hurdle Current Best Odds

Ciel De Neige 7/1
Aramon 9/1
Mohaayed 10/1
Adjali, Buildmeupbuttercup and Saint Roi 14/1
Stolen Silver and Thatsy 16/1
Embittered, Christopher Wood and Eldorado Allen 20/1
Sir Valentine, You Raised Me Up and Elusive Belle 25/1
Moon Over Germany 28/1
Rathhill, Bullionaire and Tiger Tap Tap 33/1
Oakley, Scaramanga, Zanza and Le Ligerien 40/1
Lethal Steps, Minella Charmer, Pakens Rock and Tiger Voice 50/1
Beat The Judge 66/1
Garo De Juilley 100/1
(Odds correct at 10.30 GMT, March 12)

Ciel De Neige head strong Mullins team

Ciel De Neige is still a maiden and the cardinal betting rule is that you don’t bet on maidens in handicaps.
However, he was a close second in the Betfair Hurdle last time out at Newbury and a 4lb rise seems fair.
It would be no great surprise if he was to be yet another winner this week for JP McManus but he is only one of five representing Willie Mullins and is short enough at a general 7/1 for a race like this.

Aramon has his sights lowered

Aramon‘s last eight races have been in Grade 1 races and he’s running in his first handicap.
He’s won at the highest level and was sixth in last year’s Supreme Novices’ so the credentials are in place to run a big race at the 9/1 with Betvictor, despite a stopping weight.

Mohaayed back for more to boost trainer’s impressive record

The winner in 2018, Mohaayed is seeking to give trainer Dan Skelton a fourth win in five years in the County Hurdle.
However, he’s been very disappointing this season and has undergone wind surgery so it would need a leap of faith to back him at only 10/1 with Paddy Power.

Can Buttercup bloom in County Hurdle?

You are just as likely to see Buildmeupbuttercup at Royal Ascot as Cheltenham but here she is and relatively fresh after just hurdle runs this winter.
She is a very versatile mare having won on the Flat, over hurdles and in bumpers but there is a danger she may get taken off her feet over 2m1f considering she has placed in an Ascot Stakes. She is a general 14/1.

Raised Me Up aiming to lift Brassil spirits

Martin Brassil has been known to land the odd gamble and his tough seven-year-old YOU RAISED ME UP is an interesting contender.
Priced up 25/1 with Ladbrokes, he finished ahead of a few of today’s rivals when third in a hot handicap at Leopardstown last time.
Despite his age, he’s had only four runs over hurdles and been placed in three of those.

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