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16:15 Cheltenham

Wednesday 17 March 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 3m 55.44s

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Selected odds by:

Duc Des Genievres^h,t⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 158| CD

22/1

Arkle winner in 2019 for Willie Mullins. Just about best run since when second in C&D Grade 2 on reappearance/yard debut but not in same form next 2 starts. Handicap debut.

Form: 2F5-237

Sizing Pottsie^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 156| D

28/1

Out of his depth in a Grade 1 last time but was impressive when winning his sole start in a handicap at Fairyhouse in December, beating Entoucas by 6 lengths. Trainer knows how to win this race.

Form: F-521F5

Chosen Mate^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J C Gainford⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 156| CD

7/1

Landed a gamble when impressive winner of this (on the other course) last season off 9 lb lower. Winner on the Flat in the summer but down the field back over jumps since. Much better expected now.

Form: 1-04P60

Ibleo⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 154| D

9/1

Low-mileage 8-y-o who has taken form to a new level this season, runner-up to Sky Pirate here before winning handicaps at Sandown and Doncaster. Open to further improvement over fences.

Form: 12-2211

Sky Pirate^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 152| CD

14/1

Well suited by the drop to 2m when winning handicap chases at Cheltenham (beat Ibleo) and Warwick. Excuses in Grade 2 at latter track since and this scenario should play more to his strengths.

Form: 2-25112

Bun Doran⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 150| CD

33/1

Kempton Grade 2 winner last winter. Also third in Champion Chase later that season. Below par all 3 starts this term but is potentially well handicapped. Runner-up in this 2 years ago.

Form: 1F3-75P

Us And Them^t¹⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 147| D

14/1

Has been largely disappointing since his novice campaign (runner-up in the Arkle) but there's no doubt he's potentially on a good mark having finished third in this last season off 1 lb higher.

Form: 83-08F7

Moonlighter³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: David Bass| T: Nick Williams| OR: 147| D

16/1

Won at Newbury last term and took another step forward when runner-up in Haldon Gold Cup on return. Resumed progress with gutsy win at Sandown under this rider and should give another good account.

Form: 42-2F51

Glen Forsa⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: T Scudamore| T: M R Channon| OR: 147| DWS

33/1

Very smart novice in 2018/19. Lightly raced since and mostly disappointing, though latest fourth at Wincanton was at least a step back in the right direction. Has had a wind op since.

Form: UP/3-F74

Amoola Gold⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 146| D

25/1

Having an excellent season, making winning return at Wetherby before defying 5 lb rise at Ascot. Even better form when runner-up both starts since, 2¼ lengths behind Sky Pirate at Warwick last time.

Form: 25-1122

Embittered^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 146| D

9/2

Ran a cracker when third in County Hurdle last season and seems at least as good over fences despite not winning from 4 attempts, out of his depth in Grade 1s last twice. Much better expected here.

Form: 63-2244

Zanza⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 145| D

8/1

Useful hurdler and no surprise to see him do better over fences given physique, off the mark at Newbury in November. Yet to be asked for effort when falling 3 out here since, so claims off same mark.

Form: 60-421F

Entoucas³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: M P Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 143| D

7/1

Yet to win over fences this season but deserves credit for his consistency, and latest fourth of 20 in competitive handicap at Leopardstown (strong form) was a career best.

Form: 3-22244

On The Slopes^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 140| D

16/1

Did well over fences last season, third in red-hot 20f Timeform novice handicap before winning twice at Kempton. Shaped well here on return but disappointed both starts since (jumpers bumper latest).

Form: 311-553

Ashutor^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| BF| D

28/1

Taken well to fences this season, landing the odds in a couple of handicaps in the summer. Progress has rather stalled since, however, placed at Fontwell 6 months apart. Yard has won this 4 times.

Form: 121132

Not That Fuisse⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| D

11/1

Useful chaser who won a jumpers bumper at Newcastle 6 weeks ago. Career best required but strongly-run 2m should be ideal (strong traveller).

Form: 2-13421

Western Miller^p,t³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 137| D

125/1

Useful chaser on his day, as shown when runner-up over C&D off 2 lb higher in December. Below form since but consistency has always been an issue.

Form: 682F69

Capuccimix³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: D J O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 136| D

40/1

Below par this season but latest seventh of 20 in handicap chase at Leopardstown 39 days ago was a step back in the right direction. Needs to improve off this mark but remains low mileage.

Form: 15-8677

Or Jaune De Somoza^p³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: J W Kennedy| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 136| D

25/1

Useful handicap chaser for Henry de Bromhead and similar form for this stable but hasn't shown enough to suggest he can win a race as competitive as this.

Form: 5-F6756

Non-Runners

Theinval⁴⁴

Weight: 10-4| Age: 11

T: N J Henderson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Embittered (9/2), Entoucas (7/1), Chosen Mate (7/1), Zanza (8/1), Ibleo (9/1), Not That Fuisse (11/1), Sky Pirate (14/1), Us And Them (14/1), On The Slopes (16/1), Moonlighter (16/1), Duc Des Genievres (22/1), Amoola Gold (25/1), Or Jaune De Somoza (25/1), Ashutor (28/1), Sizing Pottsie (28/1), Glen Forsa (33/1), Bun Doran (33/1), Theinval (33/1), Capuccimix (40/1), Western Miller (125/1)

A few of these are potentially well handicapped but IBLEO is arguably the most progressive in the field so could still be ahead of his mark. The Irish hold a strong hand as usual, headed by Joseph O'Brien's trio Embittered, Entoucas and Us And Them, along with last year's impressive winner Chosen Mate, while Bun Doran makes each-way appeal at bigger odds.