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13:45 Cheltenham

Saturday 28 January 2017

All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

Spectra Cyber Security Solutions Clarence House Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 13.1s

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Selected odds by:

Dodging Bullets^t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 157

20/1

Former Queen Mother Champion Chase winner in 2015 but not won since then and well beaten in the same contest last year. Three runs so far this season and disappointed again last time out at Huntingdon (trip may have been too far) but found little for pressure and something to find here.

Form: 1/273-3P

Eastlake^t⁴⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: Jonjo & A O'Neill| OR: 154

50/1

Smart form in handicaps if rather inconsistent at times but bounced back from two poor runs with a decisive win at Cheltenham last time out. That win pushes him to a new career high mark in the handicap but at these weights, he still has plenty to find with the principals.

Form: 91-PP1P

Royal Regatta^b,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 158

25/1

A very smart chaser on his day and showed his best form last time out at Ascot making all to win a seven-runner conditions chase over 2m5f; making all the running. Has shown his best form at Ascot and 0/3 here Has gone much better since wearing blinkers but doubtful if he will be able to lead in this company.

Form: 23-51P3

Special Tiara⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: N D Fehily| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 165

8/1

Out-and-out front runner who has Grade 1 and 2 form to his name although yet to win at Cheltenham in five visits (placed four times). Didn't have to be at his best when winning at Kempton over 2m last time out (favoured at the weights and early departure of second favourite) and might not be as good as he once was.

Form: 3-63151

Top Gamble^t⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 159

5/1

Capable of some very high-class form over fences and won two Grade 2 chases last year at Newbury and Fairyhouse (small fields both times). Showed he was nearing his best when third under a big weight in a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham over 2m4f last time out and deserves respect here.

Form: P3311-5

Un De Sceaux⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 169

1/2

Very high-class operator over jumps and has won 16 of his 21 races under Rules landing the 2015 Arkle here along the way. Took this race last year when it was run at Ascot and showed he was still a top-class performer when winning the Tingle Creek at Sandown on his return. Prone to the odd error over fences but sets the standard here on a course we know he operates well on.

Form: 2-16111

Uxizandre⁶⁸⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: A King| OR: 160

12/1

High-class chaser who has won twice at Cheltenham; the last occasion being the 2015 Ryanair Chase over 2m5f. Not seen since and despite his obvious class, and his liking for left-handed tracks, he'll surely need this run to blow away the cobwebs.

Form: 18U1/27

Forecasts

Un De Sceaux (1/2), Top Gamble (5/1), Special Tiara (8/1), Uxizandre (12/1), Dodging Bullets (20/1), Royal Regatta (25/1), Eastlake (50/1)

A good renewal of this Grade 1 contest although it will be run over unfamiliar terrain having been switched here after the original race at Ascot was lost to the frost. UN DE SCEAUX looks the one to beat with his Tingle Creek win being the best piece of form on offer and he did well to beat a race-fit rival (Sire De Grugy) at Sandown. Has shown that he can act around this course before and it’s probably a question of what chases home the favourite. Whilst many will expect it to be Special Tiara he could get taken on for the lead and often appears to find the final push up the Cheltenham hill too taxing. Top Gamble showed that he was still a high-class chaser with his fine effort here over further (under a big weight) last time out, and his extra stamina may assist him in landing the runner-up slot. 1. Un De Sceaux 2. Top Gamble 3. Special Tiara