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16:10 Cheltenham

Friday 15 March 2024

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

St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 7m 17.7s

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Selected odds by:

Billaway^t³⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| CD

11/2

Hardened veteran who is making his fifth appearance in this event (won the 2022 renewal and runner-up on other two completed outings). Showed he retains just about all of his ability this season, finishing well from a long way back when just denied by Its On The Line last month, so should go well.

Form: 1F2U-12

D'jango^t²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Immy Robinson| T: Miss V Collins| OR: 129| BF

66/1

Appeared to be very much on the decline prior to turning it round in hunters lately, scoring in an 8-runner event at Warwick. Inadequate test at Haydock last time, so should be back on track, but others have better form.

Form: 488214

Ferns Lock^t⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: D M Christie| OR: 142

7/2

Classy, consistent sort who jumps well and arrives at the top of his game having coasted to success at Thurles 54 days ago. Has suffered defeat to Its On The Line this term but expected to be in the mix turning for home and deserves plenty of respect.

Form: 113-121

From The Heart^p⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss N Parker| T: Mrs L Jones| OR: 107

150/1

Ungenuine type who has been running quite well in points of late but looks out of his depth in this.

Form: 412-1P2

Its On The Line^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: E Mullins| OR: 142

11/8

Runner-up in this prior to making all in the Champion Hunters' Chase at Punchestown last April. Won both starts this term at the expense of both Ferns Lock and Billaway. Strong finisher who will be well suited by a test of stamina, so boasts leading claims.

Form: F1-2111

Premier Magic^p,t³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Bradley Gibbs| T: B Gibbs| OR: 142| CD

15/2

Likeable type who belied huge odds to take last year's renewal with a fluent display of jumping. Has landed the odds readily in a couple of points since, so everything is in place for a bold defence.

Form: 111-111

Quintin's Man²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D Andrews| T: J Heard| OR: 131| BF| CD

28/1

Multiple point winner who has scored twice in hunters and ran well at Haydock last time. One of the least exposed in this field, so progress can't be ruled out.

Form: 153313

Ramillies⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R James| T: D M Christie| OR: 140| BF

80/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who has tasted success in points. Has finished weakly the last twice though and is hard to make much of a case for.

Form: 141134

Samcro^t⁴⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr T Hamilton| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| C

20/1

Has won 5 of his 6 starts in points since last seen under Rules and he was a class act in his day (dual Festival winner), so hard to rule out having his first go in this sphere.

Form: P111-13

Shantou Flyer^b,t¹²

Age: 14| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Olive Nicholls| T: S Loxton| OR: 133| C| D

33/1

Third in last year's renewal and has shown he retains ability this season. Step back up in trip will suit, but he's firmly into the twilight of his career now and despite a couple of recent point wins others are preferred.

Form: 211511

Time Leader⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell| T: Miss Roach| OR: 128

50/1

Fairly useful chaser with an excellent strike rate in hunters, completing a hat-trick in this sphere when scoring comfortably at Hereford 46 days ago. Others have achieved more but there's every chance he'll give his running.

Form: 5-111P1

Sine Nomine⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr John Dawson| T: Fiona Needham| OR: 124

8/1

Has a likeable profile both in points and under Rules, already a three-time winner in hunters, easily scoring at Wetherby last time. Smooth-traveller who should be suited by the nature of this event, so capable of putting up a bold showing.

Form: 11-2121

Forecasts

Its On The Line (11/8), Ferns Lock (7/2), Billaway (11/2), Premier Magic (15/2), Sine Nomine (8/1), Samcro (20/1), Quintin's Man (28/1), Shantou Flyer (33/1), Time Leader (50/1), D'jango (66/1), Ramillies (80/1), From The Heart (150/1)

ITS ON THE LINE has edged out both Ferns Lock and Billaway already this season and this stiff test of stamina (in testing conditions) is only likely to aid his cause, so he's fancied to confirm superiority over that pair, who boast solid claims of their own. Premier Magic has done nothing wrong since taking this prize at the expense of the selection in 2023, so he also warrants a strong mention.