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/ Timeform / 01 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Weights for the Cheltenham handicaps have been released.
"Hunt Ball, a remarkably progressive seven-year-old who has won six of his last seven races, will have to carry 12-00 if he line-up..."
With the weights announced for the Cheltenham Festival handicaps, Timeform take a look at those set to carry top-weight and what bearing they have had on the ante-post markets...
JLT Speciality Handicap Chase (maximum field of 24)
2011 Grand National winner Ballabriggs heads the weights (11-12), alongside the David Bridgwater-trained The Giant Bolster. The former is set to make his seasonal reappearance at Kelso prior to the Festival, so he is not a certain runner at Cheltenham.
Others of interest in the field include the progressive Hold On Julio (10-11), who currently heads the market at [7.2], December Gold Cup winner Quantitativeeasing (11-07) and The Package (10-05), who could go on to contest the National.
Cross Country Handicap Chase (16)
Uncle Junior (11-12), trained by Willie Mullins, looks set to carry top-weight in the Cross Country Chase. He currently trades at [6.2], but at present market preference is for stablemate Scotsirish (11-09) who is trading at [3.6].
Garde Champetre, who has won six times over Cheltenham's cross country course, has been allotted 11-08 whilst Sizing Australia, winner of the race last year, will carry 11-01.
Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase (20)
Hunt Ball, a remarkably progressive seven-year-old who has won six of his last seven races, will have to carry 12-00 if he line-up in this race, which was his original target, with his BHA mark of 142 taking him above the ratings band for this contest.
Others of interest would be current market leader Triolo d'Alene (11-07), who was successful on his British debut at Ascot in January. Ackertack (11-06), who finished one place behind Triolo d'Alene on his latest start and Bless The Wings (11-10), a winner at Cheltenham on his most recent start, also feature prominently in the market.
Coral Cup (28)
King of the Night, Restless Harry and Smad Place look set to carry 11-12 in the Coral Cup, with current market leader Get Me Out of Here allotted 11-10.
Final Approach, winner of the Country Hurdle last year, will carry 11-04 if lining-up in this race, whilst Carlito Brigante will carry 10 lb more than when successful in this corresponding contest 12 months ago (11-10).
Fred Winter (24)
The Tom George-trained Baby Mix has been allotted top-weight for the Fred Winter, although it is more likely that he will head to the Triumph Hurdle, for which he is second-best in the market at [8.2].
Vendor is currently favourite for this contest, trading at [5.0] and will carry 10-04. Others to note are the Paul Nicholls-trained Hinterland (11-02) and the David Pipe-trained Kazlian (10-05).
Pertemps Final (24)
Restless Harry (11-12) would also carry top-weight were he to line-up here rather than the Coral Cup.
Presently heading the market is Our Father (11-03), who improved significantly to win on handicap debut at Ascot last time. Buena Vista, winner of the race for the last two years, will carry just 2 lb more than 12 months ago on 10-09, whilst Sonofvic, who created an excellent impression on his first three starts under Rules before disappointing in the Dipper Novices' Chase last time, reverts to hurdles here and will carry 10-10.
Byrne Group Plate (24)
The Giant Bolster will carry 11-12 if taking part in this event, with last seasons' Centenary Novices' Chase winner Divers, trained by Ferdy Murphy, set to carry 10-08.
Hunt Ball (10-08) will have considerably less weight to carry if taking up his entry, whilst the David Pipe-trained pair Great Endeavour (11-09) and Salut Flo (10-03) may also run, although the former is more likely to contest the Ryanair, for which he can currently be backed at [14.0].
Kim Muir (24)
The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Arbor Supreme has been allotted top-weight for the Kim Muir, and currently trades at [36.0].
More toward the fore of the market are Mostly Bob (11-04), Qianshan Leader (11-02) and Deal Done (10-13).
County Hurdle (28)
Brampour, trained by Paul Nicholls, will bear top-weight in the Country Hurdle. It is likely that Harry Derham will take the ride, claiming a handy 7 lb to ease the welter burden.
It is the Irish-trained pair Moon Dice and Citizenship that dominate the market, and will carry 11-00 and 9-12 respectively. Another runner to note Raya Star, who followed-up his Ascot win with an excellent third in the Betfair Hurdle, and will carry 10-08.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (24)
Decoy is, at present, a clear market leader for trainer David Pipe. The six-year-old travelled well for a long way on his most recent start, and will carry 10-08 here.
Top-weight is Third Intention, who will have to carry 12-06 as a result of his win in the National Sprit Hurdle at Fontwell recently, although he also has an option in the Coral Cup. Ted Spread, very impressive when winning on his third start over hurdles, will carry 11-02, as will the Donald McCain-trained Bourne, successful on his first handicap start at Ascot when readily beating Smad Place.
Grand Annual (24)
The final race of Cheltenham 2010 will be the Grand Annual, for which French Opera has been allocated top-weight. Tanks For That, also trained by Nicky Henderson, looks set to carry 10-13 in this event, whilst Astracad (10-09) and Kid Cassidy (10-09), another Henderson inmate, are of interest although the latter has an entry in the Arkle and may miss Cheltenham entirely in favour of Aintree.
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