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12:40 Cheltenham

Saturday 27 January 2024

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 5m 20.34s

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Selected odds by:

Ginny's Destiny⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| CD

4/1

Bumper scorer who made up into a useful winning hurdler last term for Tom Lacey. Quickly scaled even greater heights over fences for new yard, landing handicap/C&D novice events in recent months and feasible to think there's yet more to come. Respected.

Form: 123-711

Blow Your Wad^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 141| D

9/2

Solid return to action when second over hurdles in Silver Trophy at Chepstow and built on chase debut promise (behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Le Patron) when coming out on top in soundly-run handicap at Kempton (20.5f) last month. Shortlisted with prospect of more to come.

Form: 619-221

Unexpected Party^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Skelton| OR: 141| D

25/1

Emerged with credit against some of the top-flight British novice chasers of 2022/23 and made a fine return when taking 4-runner listed novice at Chepstow (19.5f) in October. Not at same level in graded company more recently but return to handicaps a plus (third in this 12 months ago).

Form: 53-1554

Tightenourbelts³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 138| D

17/2

Maiden hurdle winner who made the perfect start to his chase career in a Ludlow novice handicap (2½m, soft) in November. Improved again when third to Hermes Allen in Newbury Gr. 2 next start and whilst he never figured when fourth in last month's Kauto Star, he retains potential back in handicaps.

Form: 221-134

Bowtogreatness²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 135| D

28/1

Dual novice hurdle winner (at around 2½m) and better form when placed over fences last term, including when runner-up in valuable handicap at Aintree final start. Let down by jumping under patient ride on return at Newbury 4 weeks ago and return to positive tactics may suit best down in trip.

Form: 35P02-P

Theatre Man³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 134| BF| D

13/2

Useful, dual-winning hurdler who has twice shaped well following his switch to chasing this winter, deserving of extra credit given how freely he raced when good third at Newbury (23.4f) 38 days ago. Of interest from this sort of mark with drop in trip holding no fears.

Form: 2121-23

Persian Time³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133

12/1

Lightly raced hurdler (useful form) who shaped encouragingly when second behind subsequent Grade 2 winner Djelo on chase debut at Newbury in December. Looked fortunate (left in front 2 out) when going one place better at Ascot latest but shapes as if he'll be at least as effective back at this trip.

Form: 12P2-21

Happy And Fine^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryan Carver| T: A M Hales| OR: 131| D

28/1

Likeable sort who ran well in strong race for the grade when third at Wetherby (19.4f) in November and tasted success twice since in handicaps at Leicester/Haydock at around this trip. This his sternest assignment yet but unlikely he's reached his limit.

Form: 133-311

Railway Hurricane^b,t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 129

22/1

Belatedly opened his account over fences at Tipperary (19.5f) last summer and creditable displays when placed on 2 of his last 3 starts around here. Behind when falling 4 out in December Gold Cup over C&D 6 weeks ago and suspicion he'll come up short in this field.

Form: 1P223F

Charles Ritz²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 123

12/1

Low-mileage 8-y-o who tasted success over hurdles and improved with each start over larger obstacles, well served by emphasis on stamina as he made a winning return at Exeter (19.2f) 26 days ago. Open to further improvement but this tougher returned to a quicker surface.

Form: 15/642-1

Prairie Wolf^p⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs S J Smith| OR: 123| D

10/1

Largely progressive in handicap hurdles last term and having looked more assured in jumping department, opened his account at second attempt over fences at Doncaster (20.5f) 6 weeks ago, in command last and value for extra. 6 lb rise fair and he shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 27-2331

Es Perfecto³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: G Sheehan| T: A King| OR: 123| D

6/1

Point winner who has been lightly raced in recent years but promise when runner-up behind Ginny's Destiny on chase debut here in November. Stepped up on that despite being left with bit too much to do when third to Blow Your Wad at Kempton since. Has races in him from this mark.

Form: 41/3-323

Forecasts

Ginny's Destiny (4/1), Blow Your Wad (9/2), Es Perfecto (6/1), Theatre Man (13/2), Tightenourbelts (17/2), Prairie Wolf (10/1), Charles Ritz (12/1), Persian Time (12/1), Railway Hurricane (22/1), Unexpected Party (25/1), Bowtogreatness (28/1), Happy And Fine (28/1)

Claims can be made for a host in an ultra-competitive handicap with the narrow vote in favour of THEATRE MAN. He's twice shaped well following his switch to chasing, deserving of extra credit for how freely he raced when third at Newbury 38 days ago, and with the drop back in trip holding no fears, he can confirm himself on a good mark. Ginny's Destiny is going from strength-to-strength and feared. Prairie Wolf, at longer odds, and Blow Your Wad complete the shortlist.