12:40 Cheltenham

Friday 17 November 2017

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Markel Insurance Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 3  |   3m 1f  |   Good to Soft  |   15 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 12:42  |   Winning time: 6m 40.2s
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Selected odds by:
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1
Horse silk
Sugar Baronp202
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-12| J: Mr H Hunt(3)| T: N J Henderson| OR:  134| D
15/2
Only win in six attempts over fences came when beating the useful Present Man at Wincanton. Ran creditably on final start of last season when a close-up seventh in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and has claims on that display.
2
Horse silk
Tintern Theatre20
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: N A Twiston-Davies| OR:  134
10/1
No match for the high-class Finian's Oscar on debut over fences at Chepstow and fell at this track on latest start. Totally unexposed and top trainer is never afraid to pitch one of his novices into handicap company.
3
Horse silk
Solstice Sonb,t181
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-11| J: Mr William Biddick| T: A J Honeyball| OR:  133| CD
20/1
Lightly-raced and quite promising over fences. First outing since finishing second of 10 in a fair handicap chase at Uttoxeter in May, looking likely to win when clear two fences out. Has won at this track and is respected.
4
Horse silk
Phil's Magicp,t40
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-11| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: A J Martin| OR:  133| D
12/1
Series of solid runs since joining current trainer, but has climbed the handicap and finds himself on a career-high mark. Runners from this stable always to be respected at this meeting so he is one to note in the betting.
5
Horse silk
What A Moment248
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-10| J: Mr R O Harding| T: D Pipe| OR:  132| CD
11/1
Last seen when pulling up in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Earlier winning form over C&D puts him in the mix and trainer likes to target this meeting.
6
Horse silk
Dueling Banjosp,t24
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-9| J: Mr J J Codd| T: K C Bailey| OR:  131
5/1
Running well of late, including when second of 16 at Exeter last time in first-time cheekpieces. Up 1lb, but should be competitive with stable in decent form.
7
Horse silk
What Happens Now21
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: D McCain Jnr| OR:  130| CD
6/1
Four victories from eight starts over fences, including on latest outing over C&D when a 9L winner under this top-class amateur rider. Up 8lb, but is progressive and has to go on the short list.
8
Horse silk
Mont Royalep37
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-8| J: Mr James King| T: Jonjo & A O'Neill| OR:  130
50/1
Held off this sort of mark on recent starts, but usually runs his race and can be expected to be thereabouts. Not a choice for win purposes, however.
9
Horse silk
Pickamixt23
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-8| J: Mr R P Quinlan| T: C J Mann| OR:  130| BF
9/1
Won three of his five starts over hurdles and both chase runs have seen him finish runner-up. Has the potential to improve, but this is a tough contest in which to score his first success over fences.
10
Horse silk
Lamb Or Codt20
Age: 10|  Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Jake Bament(7)| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR:  130| CD
33/1
Experienced campaigner, but that did not prevent him coming a cropper over C&D last time. Holds no secrets from the handicapper and looks vulnerable.
11
Horse silk
Indian Castlep21
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: Ian Williams| OR:  128| C| D
6/1
Ran a solid race over C&D when second to What Happens Now and is 7lb better off for a 9L beating. Should strip fitter for that reappearance run and has strong each-way claims.
12
Horse silk
Angus Milant13
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-5| J: Mr N McParlan| T: N C Kelly| OR:  127
66/1
Irish raider who is a frequent visitor to these shores and won at Kelso last December. Well beaten on his reappearance at Down Royal recently, but should be straighter for this.
13
Horse silk
Gentleman Jonb,t19
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-2| J: Mr M Legg| T: C L Tizzard| OR:  124| BF| D
25/1
Fair handicap chaser who seems to reserve his best efforts for Wincanton. Likes to be up there and should give his supporters a run for their money.
14
Horse silk
Regal Flow21
Age: 10|  Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Joshua Newman(3)| T: R H Buckler| OR:  124| CD
14/1
Respectable third to What Happens Now and Indian Castle over C&D last time and has prospects of turning the tables on better terms. Should be fitter, too, for that first start in six months.
15
Horse silk
As De Piquet30
Age: 12|  Weight: 11-1| J: Ms Lisa O'Neill| T: G P Cromwell| OR:  123| D
25/1
Fell on return to action at Punchestown last month, but had run well to that point. Not getting any younger and may be vulnerable to a few of these rivals.

Forecasts

Dueling Banjos (5/1), Indian Castle (6/1), What Happens Now (6/1), Sugar Baron (15/2), Pickamix (9/1), Tintern Theatre (10/1), What A Moment (11/1), Phil's Magic (12/1), Regal Flow (14/1), Solstice Son (20/1), Gentleman Jon (25/1), As De Pique (25/1), Lamb Or Cod (33/1), Mont Royale (50/1), Angus Milan (66/1)

Verdict

Sugar Baron is young enough to carry on improving and is respected despite top weight, while Tintern Theatre's lack of chasing experience does not seem to have deterred his trainer from running him in handicap company and he is also one to note. However, the recent C&D contest in which WHAT HAPPENS NOW beat Indian Castle and Regal Flow looks a serious pointer to the outcome of this race and the selection is taken to confirm the form given the authority with which he won. Pickamix, Duelling Banjos, What A Moment, Phil's Magic and Solstice Son are all capable of bold shows in a wide-open contest.
  1. What Happens Now
  2. Indian Castle
  3. Tintern Theatre

Previous Winners

2016
What A Moment
Weight: 11-0  |Age: 6
8/1

Prize Money

1st: £13,191.002nd: £4,121.003rd: £2,059.004th: £1,030.005th: £515.006th: £260.00

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