17:30 Cheltenham

Tuesday 12 March 2024

Premier Race Day Text
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • 5YO plusΒ Β |Β Β  Class 1Β Β |Β Β  3m 5f 201yΒ Β |Β Β  Heavy (Soft in places)Β Β |Β Β  7 RunnersΒ Β |Β Β  TurfΒ Β |Β Β Β Weighed In
  • Off time: 17:31Β Β |Β Β  Winning time: 8m 25.8s
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1
Horse silk
Corbetts Crossh134
Age: 7|Β Β Weight: 11-7| J:Β MrΒ DerekΒ O'Connor| T:Β EΒ Mullins| OR:Β Β 150| BF
15/8
A close second when departing at the final flight in last season's Albert Bartlett and has taken well to chasing this time round, notably second in 3m Leopardstown Grade 1 novice over Christmas. In process of running well when brought down 3 out at Fairyhouse since. Hood on. Capable of even better.
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Timeform
2
Horse silk
Embassy Gardensh144
Age: 8|Β Β Weight: 11-7| J:Β MrΒ PΒ WΒ Mullins| T:Β WΒ PΒ Mullins| OR:Β Β 150
7/4
Useful over hurdles but has really come into his own over fences, winning a Punchestown maiden and Naas Grade 3 around 3m this winter. His strength at the finish last time points to this trip suiting. Fitted with a first-time hood. Looks sure to make bold bid to extend unbeaten chase record to 3.
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Timeform
3
Horse silk
Henry's Friendp24
Age: 7|Β Β Weight: 11-7| J:Β MrΒ JackΒ Andrews| T:Β BΒ Pauling| OR:Β Β 142
33/1
Dual winner over hurdles who has improved for switch to chasing, coping with the step up to Graded level when edging out Kilbeg King in Reynoldstown at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in first-time cheekpieces last time. Could be more to come for an in-from stable which has tasted success in this before.
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Timeform
4
Horse silk
Kilbeg Kingp,t24
Age: 9|Β Β Weight: 11-7| J:Β MrΒ WilliamΒ Biddick| T:Β AΒ JΒ Honeyball| OR:Β Β 142
20/1
Useful novice hurdler at up to 3m last season and has taken well to chasing this term, backing up his improved 14ΒΌ lengths third to Il Est Francais in Kauto Star at Kempton over Christmas when narrowly denied by Henry's Friend in the Reynoldstown at Ascot.
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Timeform
5
Horse silk
Mr Vangop118
Age: 8|Β Β Weight: 11-7| J:Β MissΒ GinaΒ Andrews| T:Β SaraΒ Bradstock| OR:Β Β 132
14/1
Maiden hurdle winner last season and this former point scorer has quickly made up into a much better chaser, producing a useful performance when routing his rivals in last month's Devon National at Exeter. Needs improvement but he won't lack for stamina. Cheekpieces go on for the first time.
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Timeform
6
Horse silk
Salvador Ziggy143
Age: 8|Β Β Weight: 11-7| J:Β MrΒ RΒ James| T:Β GΒ Elliott| OR:Β Β 154| BF
10/1
Smart form when winning first 3 starts over fences and ran cracker when losing his unbeaten chase record in the Kerry National at Listowel in September, finishing second of 17 under a big weight. Below par over hurdles in US in October but good chance he'll bounce back returned to larger obstacles.
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Timeform
7
Horse silk
Apple Away24
Age: 7|Β Β Weight: 11-0| J:Β MrΒ BΒ O'Neill| T:Β MissΒ LucindaΒ VΒ Russell| OR:Β Β 137| BF
5/1
Won a 3m Grade 1 novice hurdle last season and has taken well to fences this time round, placing in 3m Grade 2s at Warwick and Ascot (2Β½ lengths third to Henry's Friend and Kilbeg King) in recent months. This increased stamina test promises to suit her.
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Timeform

Forecasts

Embassy Gardens (7/4), Corbetts Cross (15/8), Apple Away (5/1), Salvador Ziggy (10/1), Mr Vango (14/1), Kilbeg King (20/1), Henry's Friend (33/1)

Verdict

It's likely the recent Irish domination of this will continue, with CORBETTS CROSS taken to prove just too strong for Embassy Gardens, whose trainer/jockey are seeking a hat-trick of wins in this, and Kerry National runner-up Salvador Ziggy.

Previous Winners

2023
Weight: 11-7Β Β |Age: 7
10/11
2022
Weight: 11-6Β Β |Age: 7
2/1
2021
Weight: 11-6Β Β |Age: 7
7/2
2020
Weight: 11-6Β Β |Age: 10
12/1
2019
Weight: 11-6Β Β |Age: 7
14/1
2018
Weight: 11-6Β Β |Age: 10
13/2
2017
Weight: 11-6Β Β |Age: 7
16/1

Prize Money

1st: Β£60,388.002nd: Β£30,188.003rd: Β£15,112.004th: Β£7,550.005th: Β£3,775.006th: Β£1,875.007th: Β£950.008th: Β£475.00

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