14:50 Cheltenham
Tuesday 12 March 2024
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 3m 1f | Heavy (Soft in places) | 21 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 55.79s
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Selected odds by:
Very smart chaser who ran a cracker when fourth in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, staying on gradually from 4 out. Disappointed back over hurdles next time but remains of interest back in this sphere with yard going well. Headgear refitted.
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Patchy form since runner-up in the National Hunt Challenge Cup here 2 years ago, though more positive signs until brought down at Fairyhouse last month. Not impossible.
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Thorough stayer who made encouraging return from 21 months off when second on yard debut at Kelso in October. Easy to forgive next 2 starts and he looked better than ever when resuming winning ways in veterans event at Newbury 10 days ago. Penalised for that and this much harder.
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Successful in handicaps at Thurles/Sandown prior to a fine second in the Kim Muir 12 months ago. Resumed progress in first-time blinkers when scoring over this trip on the New Course here on New Year's Day so must be respected.
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Highly progressive over fences last season, winning 3 handicaps before ending campaign with an excellent third in this off 7 lb lower. Undone by a bad mistake at Ascot on return before good third in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Disappointed at Kelso 10 days ago, however, and headgear now applied.
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Took well to fences last season, winning twice before a career-best fourth (beaten over 10 lengths) of 23 in very strong renewal of this race off 2 lb higher. Just respectable efforts at best this term but this has likely been the target, so big run expected. Won charity race at Punchestown 18 Feb.
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Relished the increased emphasis on stamina when winning 27-runner listed handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy, 6/1) just after Christmas, forging clear. Hampered when unseated rider at the first there since and well worth another chance.
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Ended 2021/22 campaign with success in the Kim Muir here off 12 lb lower. Hard to predict since but back on song with win in Becher at Aintree in December. No show next 2 starts, however, and others look better treated.
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Useful chaser who made a winning return in 4-runner listed chase at Wexford. However, has failed to kick on since and his rather ponderous jumping is another negative.
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Most likeable staying chaser who signed off last season by landing an exceptional hat-trick, winning the Eider Chase, Scottish National and bet365 Gold Cup. Low-key efforts in 4 outings this term (3 hurdle, 1 chase) but no surprise to see him bounce back after a break. Tongue strap back on.
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Better than ever when winning Munster National at Limerick in October. However, found his run of good form coming to an abrupt halt at Navan next time and ran just as bad at Gowran since, so has a bit to prove all of a sudden.
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Lightly raced since unseating in Brown Advisory here 3 years ago. However, left belated return well behind when second of 4 at Fairyhouse last month and potentially on a good mark if building on that (Grade 3 winner as a novice).
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Ex-French chaser who has upped his game significantly since joining Venetia Williams, landing back-to-back Ascot handicaps in November/December. Better than he showed here next time before decent fourth at Ascot, though mid-race mistakes hindered his chance.
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Kerry National winner last season and best effort since when 12½ lengths sixth of 27 to Meetingofthewaters in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy) over Christmas. Had little go right there since and not without hope.
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Winner of 3 of his 4 starts over hurdles and immediately improved on that form as he made a successful debut over fences after 8 months off at Carlisle (2½m, soft) in November. Good efforts in defeat since and step up in trip should suit, though all 4 of his chase starts have come in small fields.
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Enhanced his good strike in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter (26f) in July. Excellent second of 13 over C&D in October but seemingly found out in better company at Newbury since.
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Won first 3 starts over hurdles last season before outclassed in Albert Bartlett at this meeting. Resumed winning ways/progress on chase bow at Chepstow on return before following up in 3-runner event at Ascot. Beaten only by a course specialist at Kempton since and remains of interest.
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Over 3 years since he was last successful but he's been generally consistent, shaping as if still in form when fourth in veterans event at Exeter last time. Likely to find this too competitive, however.
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Useful form over hurdles and fences at up to 2¾m in France. Only third in novice hurdle for new yard in November but different proposition back chasing when winning a graduation event in decisive fashion at Ascot (21f, good). However, struggled in a Premier Handicap here next time. Up in trip.
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Winner of 2 handicap chases over 25.5f at Haydock this winter, latterly the Tommy Whittle on heavy ground. However, let down by jumping both starts since, which isn't an ideal prep for this.
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Useful winning hurdler who shaped with promise on his chase debut here on return but hasn't kicked on, proving a big disappointment on handicap bow here in December. Tongue strap on 1st time.
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Non-Runners
18
Found On117
Weight: 11-1| Age: 9
T: M Keighley J: S Bowen
NR
23
Risk And Roll47
Weight: 10-2| Age: 10
T: H J Evans J: Tabitha Worsley
NR
Forecasts
The Goffer (9/2), Trelawne (5/1), Chianti Classico (6/1), Meetingofthewaters (6/1), Stumptown (15/2), Weveallbeencaught (11/1), Monbeg Genius (16/1), Victtorino (16/1), Eklat De Rire (22/1), Famous Bridge (25/1), Eldorado Allen (25/1), Lord Du Mesnil (25/1), Twig (28/1), Minella Crooner (33/1), Excello (33/1), Kitty's Light (40/1), Chambard (40/1), Busselton (40/1), Gevrey (40/1), Found On (50/1), Highland Hunter (50/1), Run Wild Fred (50/1), Risk And Roll (66/1)
One of the few races Britain has dominated but the Irish look to hold the upper hand this time, their challenge headed by THE GOFFER, who was an excellent fourth in this last year when only a 6-y-o and looks to have been campaigned with this race in mind. Progressive pair Meetingofthewaters and Stumptown make the shortlist, while Chianti Classico makes the most appeal from the home team.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £70,338.002nd: £26,500.003rd: £13,262.004th: £6,625.005th: £3,325.006th: £1,662.007th: £825.008th: £425.00
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