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14:50 Cheltenham
Tuesday 13 March 2018
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 3m 1f | Heavy (Soft in places) | 18 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 47.5s
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Still improving as a chaser after just seven runs in which he has only been out of the first two twice. The form of his latest win over Frodon at Ascot in December has since been franked by that horse. Looks a leading player despite top weight.
Well beaten in last year's Plate at this meeting, but stepped up in trip to good effect when scoring at both Aintree and Punchestown, both on better ground than forecast. Out of form this term but not ruled out if wind op has worked.
Relishes testing ground as he showed when last seen winning Haydock's Grand National Trial (3m4½f, heavy) by a huge margin. Up 7lb for that and in a race where they are likely to go quicker, he will need improvement, but is a live each-way player.
Without a win for 14-months when he scored here over 2m5f (soft). Has been in good form this season over that same trip here and when 4½L second stepped up to around 3m at Kelso last time. Dropped 1lb, new headgear and very much an each-way squeak.
Consistent though exposed chaser who has been finding winning difficult from similar marks this season. Stays 3m, though this is likely to feel a stiffer test of stamina than the trip suggests and he looks to have a bit to prove.
Dual Scottish National winner who underlined his undoubted ability over longer trips when second here over 3m3½f (soft) in November. Unseated when last seen in Welsh National but still on a competitive mark if this provides a stiff enough test.
Won when fresh at Newcastle in the Rehearsal Chase (2m7½f, soft) in December and pulled up when last seen in the Welsh National. This is more like his trip and there may still be more to come from him. Another with each-way claims.
Back to winning ways in Doncaster's Skybet Chase (3m, soft) in January, for which a 3lb rise looks fair. That was on a par with most of his best efforts, so needs to eke out a little bit more to follow-up. Should be competitive.
Goes well here and was just pipped in this when favourite for the race last year from 3lb lower. Not far off that form a couple of times this season, though handicapper has now exposed him and he returns with something to prove.
Progressive this season over both hurdles and fences, winning two of his four chases on heavy ground and over 2m7½f. Usually jumps well, though made mistakes last time and that side of his game will be put under pressure here; not ruled out.
Largely consistent for Neil Mulholland and broke his duck over fences on final start for him in October at Chepstow (2m7½f). Up 5lb for that but open to improvement, has a good record when fresh and interesting on stable debut.
Best efforts have been on soft ground, as was the case when he ran out an easy 14L winner at Exeter (3m) last time. Up 7lb for that but unexposed, shapes as though this will suit and entitled to make the shortlist.
Hasn't always got what his efforts have deserved over fences and 1-11 is scant reward. In the form of his life this season from 2m5½f-3m5½f, stays well and relishes testing ground. Nudged up 1lb but should interest each-way players.
His two wins have been on testing ground, though the most recent of those at Carlisle (3m½f) in October prompted a 7lb rise and has ushered in a run of poor form. One of the runners in the field that is more difficult to make a case for.
Began last season well, improving around a stone but then missed a year before returning at Ascot in January. Back in better nick at that track (3m, soft) last time. 2lb rise won't help, but if right back to his best he could have a say.
Beginning to develop the profile of a spring horse, having scored at Sandown this time last year (2m4f, good to soft) and again over that trip at Warwick (soft) recently from 5lb lower. Pedigree offers hope that he will stay, but has that to prove.
Thorough stayer who would not have been ideally suited by 2m4f when beaten 18L by Casse Tete at Warwick last time. Exposed and off the same mark today, while he goes well at the track, others look better handicapped.
Has won two chases on heavy ground at around 2m4f. Unexposed and up a fair-looking 4lb for his latest Plumpton win, he shapes as though he is well worth a try over this trip and is an interesting longer-priced runner with first use of any headgear.
Forecasts
Coo Star Sivola (5/1), Gold Present (11/2), Singlefarmpayment (6/1), Vintage Clouds (10/1), O O Seven (10/1), Beware The Bear (12/1), Ramses De Teillee (12/1), Yala Enki (14/1), Minella Daddy (14/1), Vicente (14/1), Shantou Flyer (16/1), Wakanda (16/1), Casse Tete (20/1), Eamon An Cnoic (20/1), Knight Of Noir (20/1), Cogry (25/1), Sizing Codelco (25/1), Vic De Touzaine (33/1)
Always one of the season's highlights for staying handicap chasers and plenty of them have apparently prepared for some time with this in mind. The ground is forecast to be more testing than usual for the first day, which could also have a bearing on the outcome and VINTAGE CLOUDS will relish that. A faller in this last year, he is an improved horse this season and could represent a bit of value. The unexposed Coo Star Sivola looks an obvious danger, while top weight Gold Present is not taken on lightly. Others with each-way claims include Shantou Flyer, Night Of Noir and Yala Enki.
- Vintage Clouds
- Coo Star Sivola
- Gold Present
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £62,645.002nd: £23,507.003rd: £11,770.004th: £5,863.005th: £2,948.006th: £1,474.00
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