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15:30 Cheltenham

Friday 15 March 2024

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 7m 5.14s

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Selected odds by:

Bravemansgame⁸⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 170

14/1

Last season's King George hero was clear of the rest when second to Galopin des Champs in this last year. A bit below that level when runner-up on all 3 outings this term, although he wasn't helped by being hampered by the departing Shishkin when 1½ lengths second to Hewick in King George latest.

Form: 123-222

Corach Rambler^t¹¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 159| C

14/1

Fended off Fastorslow to land a second successive win in Ultima at last year's Festival and followed up in the Grand National at Aintree. Off since finishing a respectable 15½ lengths third of 4 in the Betfair at Haydock in November and needs improvement to get seriously competitive at this level.

Form: 5411-53

Fastorslow^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: M Brassil| OR: 170WS

8/1

Inflicted defeats on Galopin des Champs in Grade 1s at Punchestown in April and November of 2023 but last year's Gold Cup winner saw him off by 4½ lengths in the Irish version at Leopardstown (3m, soft) last month. Had wind surgery since then. Should go well but might find his old rival too strong.

Form: 5521-12

Galopin Des Champs⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 179| CD

10/11

Most impressive when seeing off Bravemansgame in this 12 months ago. Suffered defeats to Fastorslow at Punchestown on his next 2 starts but back to his best when winning Savills and Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown this winter, beating Fastorslow by 4½ lengths in the latter. Hard to beat.

Form: 112-311

Gentlemansgame¹³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D J O'Keeffe| T: M F Morris| OR: 160

25/1

Has quickly established himself on the staying chasing scene, having only his third start over fences when claiming the scalp of Bravemansgame in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby (3m, heavy) in November. Not seen since but no surprise were he to progress again for a trainer who has won this before.

Form: 713/1-21

Gerri Colombe⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 167

13/2

Dual Grade 1 novice chase winner last term. Bagged another success at the highest level when edging out Envoi Allen on his Down Royal return but his Gold Cup aspirations took a significant dent when no match for Galopin des Champs in the Savills at Leopardstown over Christmas. Given time since.

Form: 1121-12

Jungle Boogie⁷⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 152

16/1

Won bumper, hurdle and chase on first 3 starts for Willie Mullins. Lost unbeaten record when fourth in 2m Cork Grade 2 on return from long absence in December but quickly back to winning ways when stepped up to 23f at Tramore (Grade 3) on New Year's Day. A lot more needed here but he is unexposed.

Form: 111/41

L'Homme Presse²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 168| BF| C

16/1

Top-class chaser who was off for over a year after a late unseat in last season's King George but his comeback win at Lingfield in January suggests he retains his ability. Not seen to best effect over 21f on a right-handed track when second to Pic d'Orhy in Ascot Chase since and this more suitable.

Form: 13/1U-12

Monkfish⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| C

18/1

Highly promising novice chaser in 2021 who has shown he's still capable of smart form back hurdling since returning from a long absence last spring, winning 3m Galway Grade 2 on reappearance in January. This a big ask back chasing but he goes well on testing ground.

Form: 112/29-1

Nassalam^b⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 161

33/1

Has reacted very positively to blinkers, producing a really smart performance when turning the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (heavy) over Christmas into a procession. A different kettle of fish trying to dominate a field of this calibre but not ruled out if the ground is similarly testing.

Form: 307-411

The Real Whacker^v1⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P Neville| OR: 162| C

40/1

3-3 in novice chases here last season, culminating with a narrow defeat of Gerri Colombe at this meeting. Hasn't been able to take it up another notch this term, his fourth to Hewick in King George and second in Cotswold here suggesting he'll come up short unless a visor sparks improvement.

Form: 111-P42

Non-Runners

Hewick⁸⁰

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: J J Hanlon J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Galopin Des Champs (10/11), Gerri Colombe (13/2), Fastorslow (8/1), Corach Rambler (14/1), Bravemansgame (14/1), Hewick (14/1), L'Homme Presse (16/1), Jungle Boogie (16/1), Monkfish (18/1), Gentlemansgame (25/1), Nassalam (33/1), The Real Whacker (40/1)

After a couple of defeats GALOPIN DES CHAMPS has reestablished himself as the best around in this division with Grade 1 wins at Leopardstown on his last 2 starts (particularly impressive on the first occasion) and can emulate former stablemate Al Boum Photo and become the ninth dual winner of jump racing's Blue Riband. Fastorslow, who beat the selection twice last year and chased him home at Leopardstown last month, can fill the forecast spot ahead of last year's runner-up Bravemansgame.