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RACING POST TIP

Waterford Whispers

Willie Mullins is doubly represented in his bid for a fifth Martin Pipe success but Quai De Bourbon's form lacks depth and Ocastle Des Mottes has stamina to prove upped in distance. Preference is for the Henry de Bromhead-trained WATERFORD WHISPERS who has a solid record this season, should be capable of further improvement and looks the perfect sort for this assignment. Answer To Kayf (second choice) and Yeats Star (third choice) are solid contenders who tie in with the selection, while Better Days Ahead is another Irish challenger who looks shortlist material. Thanksforthehelp, Sonigino and No Ordinary Joe look best of the British contestants.

MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP PREVIOUS WINNERS

Year	Horse	Previous Form	Age	Price	Trainer	Jockey
2023	Iroko	4-11	5	6/1	Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero	Aidan Kelly
2022	Banbridge	114-71	6	12/1	Joseph O’Brien	Mark McDonagh
2021	Galopin Des Champs	1-2PU6	5	8-1	Willie Mullins	S O’Keefe
2020	Indefatigable	52231	7	25-1	Paul Webber	Rex Dingle
2019	Early Doors	930-52	6	5-1	Joseph O’Brien	Jonjo O’Neill jnr
2018	Blow By Blow	32161	7	11-1	Gordon Elliott	Donagh Meyler
2017	Champagne Classic	23213	6	12-1	Gordon Elliott	JJ Slevin
2016	Ibis Du Rheu	64-235	5	14-1	Paul Nicholls	Jack Sherwood
2015	Kilultagh Vic	65-123	6	7/1	Willie Mullins	Luke Dempsey
2014	Don Poli	2-211	5	12-1	Willie Mullins	Mikey Fogarty

MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP KEY TRENDS AND STATS

Key trends

Top-three finish in at least one of last two starts, 9/10
No more than eight hurdle runs, 9/10
Officially rated 137-145, 9/10
Aged five or six, 8/10
Had won that season, 8/10
Rated within 5lb of RPR top-rated, 7/10

Other factors

Willie Mullins (three) Gordon Elliott (two) and Joseph O’Brien account for the seven Irish-trained winners, three of whom were owned by Gigginstown.
The six winners from 2012 to 2017 carried between 11st 1lb and 11st 7lb. Four of the last six shouldered 11st 9lb or 11st 10lb.
Willie Mullins trained the last two winners rated lower than 137 (Killultagh Vic in 2015 and Sir Des Champs in 2011)

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WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP 2023

IROKO looked in big trouble when losing his pitch coming down the hill, but he rallied turning in, and found another gear on the run-in to take his record this season to 3-3. No Ordinary Joe did little wrong in defeat, looking likely to collect at the last, but was run down by a better-handicapped rival and stronger stayer. Buddy One ran a fine race off a mark 22lb higher than when second on his handicap debut at Limerick in January. Might I came home in fourth and showed his progression continued into handicaps this season having run behind Constitution Hill and Jonbon, giving this form some considerable substance.