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14:50 Cheltenham

Tuesday 12 March 2024

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

Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 55.79s

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Selected odds by:

Eldorado Allen^p,t⁶⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 153| CWS

25/1

Very smart chaser who ran a cracker when fourth in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, staying on gradually from 4 out. Disappointed back over hurdles next time but remains of interest back in this sphere with yard going well. Headgear refitted.

Form: 754-345

Run Wild Fred^b³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Gilligan⁽³⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 149

50/1

Patchy form since runner-up in the National Hunt Challenge Cup here 2 years ago, though more positive signs until brought down at Fairyhouse last month. Not impossible.

Form: 23-59PB

Highland Hunter^p,t¹⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 144

50/1

Thorough stayer who made encouraging return from 21 months off when second on yard debut at Kelso in October. Easy to forgive next 2 starts and he looked better than ever when resuming winning ways in veterans event at Newbury 10 days ago. Penalised for that and this much harder.

Form: 4/2U541

Stumptown^b⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: K M Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 148| CD

15/2

Successful in handicaps at Thurles/Sandown prior to a fine second in the Kim Muir 12 months ago. Resumed progress in first-time blinkers when scoring over this trip on the New Course here on New Year's Day so must be respected.

Form: 2P-48P1

Monbeg Genius^p1,t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 147

16/1

Highly progressive over fences last season, winning 3 handicaps before ending campaign with an excellent third in this off 7 lb lower. Undone by a bad mistake at Ascot on return before good third in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Disappointed at Kelso 10 days ago, however, and headgear now applied.

Form: 113-P35

The Goffer^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| BF

9/2

Took well to fences last season, winning twice before a career-best fourth (beaten over 10 lengths) of 23 in very strong renewal of this race off 2 lb higher. Just respectable efforts at best this term but this has likely been the target, so big run expected. Won charity race at Punchestown 18 Feb.

Form: 4P4-858

Meetingofthewaters^h³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: M P Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

6/1

Relished the increased emphasis on stamina when winning 27-runner listed handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy, 6/1) just after Christmas, forging clear. Hampered when unseated rider at the first there since and well worth another chance.

Form: 6-4311U

Chambard²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 146| C

40/1

Ended 2021/22 campaign with success in the Kim Muir here off 12 lb lower. Hard to predict since but back on song with win in Becher at Aintree in December. No show next 2 starts, however, and others look better treated.

Form: 44-21P8

Minella Crooner^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J C Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 146

33/1

Useful chaser who made a winning return in 4-runner listed chase at Wexford. However, has failed to kick on since and his rather ponderous jumping is another negative.

Form: 2P-1P33

Kitty's Light^t⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 146

40/1

Most likeable staying chaser who signed off last season by landing an exceptional hat-trick, winning the Eider Chase, Scottish National and bet365 Gold Cup. Low-key efforts in 4 outings this term (3 hurdle, 1 chase) but no surprise to see him bounce back after a break. Tongue strap back on.

Form: 11-4705

Gevrey^p⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 146

40/1

Better than ever when winning Munster National at Limerick in October. However, found his run of good form coming to an abrupt halt at Navan next time and ran just as bad at Gowran since, so has a bit to prove all of a sudden.

Form: 2-3P1PP

Eklat De Rire³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 146| D

22/1

Lightly raced since unseating in Brown Advisory here 3 years ago. However, left belated return well behind when second of 4 at Fairyhouse last month and potentially on a good mark if building on that (Grade 3 winner as a novice).

Form: 1P0/4-82

Victtorino²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 145| BF

16/1

Ex-French chaser who has upped his game significantly since joining Venetia Williams, landing back-to-back Ascot handicaps in November/December. Better than he showed here next time before decent fourth at Ascot, though mid-race mistakes hindered his chance.

Form: 74-1174

Busselton^b³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 145

40/1

Kerry National winner last season and best effort since when 12½ lengths sixth of 27 to Meetingofthewaters in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy) over Christmas. Had little go right there since and not without hope.

Form: 4P-546P

Trelawne^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: K C Bailey| OR: 144

5/1

Winner of 3 of his 4 starts over hurdles and immediately improved on that form as he made a successful debut over fences after 8 months off at Carlisle (2½m, soft) in November. Good efforts in defeat since and step up in trip should suit, though all 4 of his chase starts have come in small fields.

Form: 11-1323

Twig¹⁰¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 143

28/1

Enhanced his good strike in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter (26f) in July. Excellent second of 13 over C&D in October but seemingly found out in better company at Newbury since.

Form: 12-1120

Chianti Classico^t⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: K C Bailey| OR: 143| BF

6/1

Won first 3 starts over hurdles last season before outclassed in Albert Bartlett at this meeting. Resumed winning ways/progress on chase bow at Chepstow on return before following up in 3-runner event at Ascot. Beaten only by a course specialist at Kempton since and remains of interest.

Form: 11P-112

Lord Du Mesnil^p,t³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson| OR: 140

25/1

Over 3 years since he was last successful but he's been generally consistent, shaping as if still in form when fourth in veterans event at Exeter last time. Likely to find this too competitive, however.

Form: 22-5264

Excello⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144

33/1

Useful form over hurdles and fences at up to 2¾m in France. Only third in novice hurdle for new yard in November but different proposition back chasing when winning a graduation event in decisive fashion at Ascot (21f, good). However, struggled in a Premier Handicap here next time. Up in trip.

Form: 212-310

Famous Bridge²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 139| BF

25/1

Winner of 2 handicap chases over 25.5f at Haydock this winter, latterly the Tommy Whittle on heavy ground. However, let down by jumping both starts since, which isn't an ideal prep for this.

Form: 1-411PU

Weveallbeencaught^t1⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N A Twiston-Davies| OR: 134| BF| C

11/1

Useful winning hurdler who shaped with promise on his chase debut here on return but hasn't kicked on, proving a big disappointment on handicap bow here in December. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 87P-326

Non-Runners

Found On¹¹⁷

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: M Keighley J: S Bowen

Risk And Roll⁴⁷

Weight: 10-2| Age: 10

T: H J Evans J: Tabitha Worsley

Forecasts

The Goffer (9/2), Trelawne (5/1), Chianti Classico (6/1), Meetingofthewaters (6/1), Stumptown (15/2), Weveallbeencaught (11/1), Monbeg Genius (16/1), Victtorino (16/1), Eklat De Rire (22/1), Famous Bridge (25/1), Eldorado Allen (25/1), Lord Du Mesnil (25/1), Twig (28/1), Minella Crooner (33/1), Excello (33/1), Kitty's Light (40/1), Chambard (40/1), Busselton (40/1), Gevrey (40/1), Found On (50/1), Highland Hunter (50/1), Run Wild Fred (50/1), Risk And Roll (66/1)

One of the few races Britain has dominated but the Irish look to hold the upper hand this time, their challenge headed by THE GOFFER, who was an excellent fourth in this last year when only a 6-y-o and looks to have been campaigned with this race in mind. Progressive pair Meetingofthewaters and Stumptown make the shortlist, while Chianti Classico makes the most appeal from the home team.