16:10 Cheltenham

Thursday 15 March 2018

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

Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 1  |   2m 4f 166y  |   Soft (Heavy in places)  |   22 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 16:10  |   Winning time: 5m 27.8s
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1
Horse silk
Village Vic131
Age: 11|  Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR:  155| CDWS
33/1
Forces the pace and is one to be reckoned with over C&D. Enjoyed a stellar period between November 2015 and January 2017, including winning the 2015 Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. Beaten in this race in 2017 (11th) and generally below par lately.
3
Horse silk
Last Goodbyeb,t39
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-6| J: S W Flanagan| T: Miss E Doyle| OR:  149| D
8/1
Has a strong win to run ratio (6 from 13) and posted a career best effort over fences when demolishing some solid handicappers by 9L at Leopardstown last month (2m5f). Raised 11lb, but also ran well behind Tully East (fifth) at the 2017 Festival.
5
Horse silk
Ballybolleyt61
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: N A Twiston-Davies| OR:  147| D
40/1
Generally delivers his 'A' game on a decent racing surface, so unlikely to be suited by the recent precipitation. Won well (fresh) over this trip at Market Rasen in September, beating Guitar Pete by 4L but held by the assessor ever since.
6
Horse silk
The Storyteller39
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR:  147| D
5/1
Lightly raced over fences so lacks experience of the hustle and bustle of handicap company; kept only to novice events so far. No denying he has ability though with form-lines associated with the likes of Monalee and Invitation Only. Handicap debut.
7
Horse silk
Oldgrangewoodt104
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR:  147
20/1
Kept quiet with this race firmly in mind since beating Jameson by ½L at Newbury in December (2m4f good to soft). Races from just a 2lb higher mark, and is ultra consistent overall over fences (four wins from eight runs); boasts place claims.
8
Horse silk
Viconte Du Noyert73
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR:  147| C| DWS
33/1
A Cheltenham regular since winning the 3m3f Bet Victor Chase by 1L from Warrantor in 2016. Below his last winning mark, and ran very well at Punchestown in April, but not so sharp this season and that's the worry. Has had a wind op since last run.
9
Horse silk
Traffic Fluidev26
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-2| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR:  145
16/1
His best form as a novice came over 2m and he's not managed to win a race since March 2015. However, he contested the Champion Chase in 2017 (sixth) and remained solid throughout the spring months. Not so sharp this term; mark is slowly easing.
10
Horse silk
Mercian Prince40
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-1| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR:  144| D
25/1
Has taken his record to five from 13 over fences, with a pair of successes in 2018 at Kempton (2m4f+) and Wetherby (2m3f+). 3lb higher than when an all-out head scorer latest, so further improvement is required.
11
Horse silk
Quite By Chanceb1,t40
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR:  143| D
33/1
Finished down the field in the 2017 Grand Annual, and a characteristic of his career appears to be stronger early season form. No ground or C&D issues (2016 Caspian Caviar Gold Cup fourth), and is reasonably weighted. Has second start since wind op.
12
Horse silk
Romain De Senamh,t89
Age: 6|  Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  142| D
20/1
Progressive over fences earlier in the campaign, posting rapid back-to-back victories at Chepstow and Stratford. Found the competition tougher in competitive Cheltenham handicaps since but not far off the pace and doesn't have masses to find.
13
Horse silk
Movewiththetimes89
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-13| J: B J Geraghty| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  142| BF
8/1
Runner-up to Ballyandy in the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle in February 2017, and lightly raced overall remaining a maiden after three attempts over fences. Entirely possible he's the handicap blot (debut) having previous with the JLT bound Finian's Oscar.
14
Horse silk
Ultragoldt47
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR:  142| D
66/1
Posted a dismal effort over C&D on heavy ground latest, so needs to bounce back quickly from that inexplicable effort. However, useful on-song, particularly over the National fences at Aintree (Topham winner and Grand Sefton runner-up in 2017).
15
Horse silk
Drumclifft33
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-12| J: N P Madden| T: H Fry| OR:  141
25/1
Profited from some slack fencing from his main market rival when an emphatic winner of an amateur riders contest at Ascot in January (2m3f soft). Tailed off in the Kingmaker latest, and a 12lb rise for that victory makes life tough.
16
Horse silk
King's Socks34
Age: 6|  Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR:  140
7/1
Stable has a strong record in this and this French import (had wind surgery since) has hurdles form with none other than Tuesday's Arkle winner Footpad. Soft ground a plus, and he was an eye-catcher in a small field affair at Kempton last month.
17
Horse silk
Pougne Bobbi48
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-11| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR:  140
16/1
Recorded his second success over fences at Huntingdon latest (2m4f soft) when a pushed out 10L scorer. Raised 7lb, and that form perhaps isn't overly strong in the context of this race, but clearly adept with cut in the ground.
18
Horse silk
Midnight Shot138
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-11| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR:  140| CD
50/1
Sound jumping, prominent racing individual who hoovered low grade novice/beginners contests at Towcester and Hexham in the summer. Halted the winning run of Petrou in a Uttoxeter handicap (2m4f) in September, but plenty more required off 6lb higher.
19
Horse silk
King's Odyssey47
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR:  139| CD
14/1
Finished well down the field in this contest in 2017 (14th of 24 to Road To Respect), but is a previous C&D winner off this mark (January 2016). Also finished third over C&D latest; albeit comfortably held by Frodon.
20
Horse silk
Guitar Pete54
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-10| J: R D Day(3)| T: N G Richards| OR:  139| CD
10/1
Recorded a career best effort when a fortuitous winner of the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (soft) in December, beating Clan Des Obeuax by 2¾L. Pleasing that the handicapper didn't go overboard with just a 5lb rise. Fresh and should handle conditions.
21
Horse silk
Willie Boy104
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-9| J: B J Cooper| T: Miss V Williams| OR:  138| BF
14/1
Stable not the best of times this season but are always to be feared in handicaps; especially with this particular rider booked (2016, 2017 winner). Lightly raced (two from four over fences) but beaten comprehensively by Oldgrangewood at Newbury.
22
Horse silk
Ballyaltonp61
Age: 11|  Weight: 10-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR:  138| C
16/1
Festival winner as a novice handicap chaser in 2016 (2m4f Close Brothers), and always had ability as a hurdler; runner-up to Faugheen in the 2014 Neptune. Advancing in years, but back from injury this term and appears in reasonable shape.
23
Horse silk
Shanahan's Turnt1118
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-8| J: Paul O'Brien(5)| T: C L Tizzard| OR:  137WS
50/1
A three-time chase winner in Ireland for Henry De Bromhead; latest success back in the summer of 2015 (Galway). Had wind surgery since joining this trainer and tries the first time tongue-tie, but that really does need to provide the solution.
24
Horse silk
Splash of Ginge26
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-8| J: Jamie Bargary(3)| T: N A Twiston-Davies| OR:  137| CD
25/1
Goes well over C&D, and has enjoyed some high-profile victories for this rider, the highlight coming in the Bet Victor Gold Cup in November, beating the ill-fated Starchitect by a neck. Below that form since, but fully capable on a going day.

Non-Runners

2
Horse silk
Go Conquer19
Weight: 11-7|  Age: 9
T: Jonjo & A O'Neill  J: Aidan Coleman
NR
4
Horse silk
Tully East40
Weight: 11-5|  Age: 8
T: A Fleming  J: D F O'Regan
NR

Forecasts

The Storyteller (5/1), King's Socks (7/1), Tully East (7/1), Last Goodbye (8/1), Movewiththetimes (8/1), Guitar Pete (10/1), King's Odyssey (14/1), Willie Boy (14/1), Ballyalton (16/1), Pougne Bobbi (16/1), Traffic Fluide (16/1), Romain De Senam (20/1), Oldgrangewood (20/1), Go Conquer (20/1), Splash of Ginge (25/1), Mercian Prince (25/1), Drumcliff (25/1), Village Vic (33/1), Quite By Chance (33/1), Viconte Du Noyer (33/1), Ballybolley (40/1), Midnight Shot (50/1), Shanahan's Turn (50/1), Ultragold (66/1)

Verdict

Possibly the toughest race to solve all week featuring a plethora of high-quality handicap winners which include Village Vic, Guitar Pete and the successive Close Brothers Novice Handicap winners Ballyalton (2016) and Tully East (2017). The Pipe family have saddled the winner of this historic race on no fewer than seven occasions, so King's Socks merits close inspection off a light-weight, with similar comments applicable to handicap debutantes The Storyteller and Movewiththetimes but with a fierce pace assured, OLDGRANGEWOOD is the one to side with given he is tactically versatile and reasonably handicapped.
  1. Oldgrangewood
  2. The Storyteller
  3. Last Goodbye

Previous Winners

2024
Weight: 11-5  |Age: 10
8/1
2022
Weight: 11-2  |Age: 11
22/1
2021
Weight: 10-12  |Age: 8
9/4
2020
Weight: 11-4  |Age: 7
10/3
2019
Weight: 10-11  |Age: 6
9/2
2017
Weight: 10-13  |Age: 6
14/1

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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