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16:50 Cheltenham

Wednesday 15 March 2023

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

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

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 4m 3.0s

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Selected odds by:

Andy Dufresne^t1⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: M P Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 155| D

9/2

Runner-up (3 lengths behind Global Citizen) off this mark when a strong favourite for this race 12 months ago. Not at that level this season, failing to build on a respectable return last 2 starts, but has presumably been laid out for this again. Tongue strap on first time. Big shout.

Form: 22-F378

Coeur Sublime^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Harvey⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 153| BF| D

12/1

Well held in the Arkle last season but has produced some very smart efforts in defeat since, notably when just denied in Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. Seemingly outbattled in Grade 3 at Naas 17 days ago but opening mark is an appealing one.

Form: 17-2F42

Final Orders³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: K M Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 150| D

13/2

Has been nothing short of a revelation for these connections and completed a 5-timer over fences in comprehensive style having again jumped with aplomb and responding generously to pressure in valuable 2m handicap at Leopardstown last month. A must for the shortlist.

Form: 211111

Third Time Lucki^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 149| CD

8/1

Scored 3 times last season, including a Grade 2 novice over C&D, and bounced back to his best when resuming winning ways at Sandown last month. However, was suited by way the race developed so more needed up 6 lb in more competitive event.

Form: 23-4631

Malystic³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny McMenamin| T: P D Niven| OR: 149| D

28/1

At the very top of his game this winter, recording brace of handicap wins over 2m at Wetherby and Doncaster. However, unable to land a blow (over 4 lengths behind Elixir de Nutz off level weights) in Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury since and may find this a bit too competitive.

Form: 42P114

A Wave Of The Sea^b³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: S D Torrens| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 148| D

50/1

More miss than hit around 3m this season but revived as he so often has at this time of year when 4½ lengths third of 12 to Final Orders at Leopardstown (17f, good to soft) 39 days ago. However, was well held in this last season off similar mark so probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: F64P03

Elixir De Nutz^p,t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 147| CD

16/1

Found handicaps at Cheltenham (this race) and Aintree Festivals beyond him last spring but has come on again this term, responding well to headgear when easy winner from the front at Wincanton (20.2f). Good second of 4 in Game Spirit Chase at Newbury since and should be more competitive this time.

Form: PP-9212

Thyme White¹¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| D

28/1

Useful hurdler who has proved better over fences and had plenty in hand when scoring at Ascot in October on return. Only fifth off revised mark there following month but might have had a problem as he's been off the track since.

Form: U12F-15

Epson Du Houx^t⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 147| D

12/1

Lightly raced in recent seasons but made a respectable return after 13 months off when 15 lengths second of 4 to Energumene in Grade 2 at Cork. Similar form when third back in a handicap at Fairyhouse and capable of being competitive off current mark.

Form: F36/1-23

Midnight Run⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 146| D

22/1

Smart chaser who put his experience to good use when finally off the mark over fences in Grade 2 novice at Punchestown, albeit his task made considerably easier by the departure of main market rival. Struggled back in a Grade 1 next time but not taken lightly making handicap bow in this sphere.

Form: F-22315

Dads Lad^t¹²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145| CD

16/1

Has won his last 3 outings over fences, the latest success coming in a C&D handicap in October. Well held back over hurdles in Greatwood here following month and off since but expected to bounce back returned to this sphere.

Form: 511519

Call Me Lyreen^p¹⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| D

28/1

Smart hurdler (Grade 2 winner) who made positive start over fences in the summer, winning maiden/novice before close second in Grade 3 at Galway. However, jumping has let him down (in this headgear) last 2 starts and has been off the track since October.

Form: 1122F5

Battleoverdoyen^t¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: J C Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 144| D

40/1

Grade 1 winner in his pomp but just useful nowadays. Losing run is mounting up and record in handicaps is 0-10.

Form: 35P493

Before Midnight^p1,t1⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 143| CD

25/1

Won handicaps over C&D and at Ascot first 2 starts in 2021/22. Stepped up on return when third in corresponding race at Ascot, albeit finding little. Shaped as if still in good form back from a break at Doncaster and has now dipped below last winning mark. Tongue strap/headgear applied.

Form: 426-334

Maskada³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: D J O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142| BF| D

22/1

Better than ever this season and was set to go very close before falling 2 out at Fairyhouse. Made amends at Limerick (19.7f, heavy) just after Christmas though not in the same form at Leopardstown since, her jumping not really holding up to the sterner test. Back down in trip.

Form: 3F-4F10

Sizing Pottsie^p1,t⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 140| D

22/1

Smart chaser for Jessica Harrington last season but long way below that level for this yard so big leap of faith required. Headgear applied.

Form: 0-12956

Dinoblue³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: L P Dempsey| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| BF

7/2

Highly-regarded mare (failed to meet expectations on second career start in Dawn Run at this meeting 12 months ago) who comfortably landed the odds at Cork on chase bow/return. Better form when runner-up in Grade 2 at Cork and listed event at Naas since and remains with potential now handicapping.

Form: 94-4122

Global Citizen²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 139| CD

12/1

Smart front-running hurdler/chaser, as shown when winning this race 12 months ago off 3 lb lower (beat Andy Dufresne by 3 lengths). Well held all 3 starts this season but those efforts are easy to forgive (Grade 2 hurdle events last 2 starts) so no surprise if he was back on song here.

Form: 231-P74

The Last Day⁶⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 139| D

33/1

Sparingly campaigned for a horse of his age and proved that all of his ability remains intact when landing a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree's Grand National meeting last season. Shaped as if needing the run after 9 months off at Sandown sole start this term but this probably too demanding.

Form: 456/F1-5

Non-Runners

Dancing On My Own⁶⁰

Weight: 11-3| Age: 9

T: H De Bromhead J: J J Slevin

Forecasts

Dinoblue (7/2), Andy Dufresne (9/2), Final Orders (13/2), Third Time Lucki (8/1), Global Citizen (12/1), Epson Du Houx (12/1), Coeur Sublime (12/1), Elixir De Nutz (16/1), Dads Lad (16/1), Maskada (22/1), Midnight Run (22/1), Sizing Pottsie (22/1), Before Midnight (25/1), Call Me Lyreen (28/1), Malystic (28/1), Thyme White (28/1), Dancing On My Own (33/1), The Last Day (33/1), Battleoverdoyen (40/1), A Wave Of The Sea (50/1)

Plenty of exposed sorts in this year's renewal so ANDY DUFRESNE, who was a strong favourite when runner-up off the same mark 12 months ago, is taken to defy top weight and go one place better having been laid out for this again. The Irish could well dominate, with Final Orders, Dinoblue and Coeur Sublime making up the shortlist.