16:10 Cheltenham
Friday 15 March 2024
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase
- 5YO plus | Class 2 | 3m 2f 70y | Soft (Heavy in places) | 12 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 7m 17.7s
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Selected odds by:
Hardened veteran who is making his fifth appearance in this event (won the 2022 renewal and runner-up on other two completed outings). Showed he retains just about all of his ability this season, finishing well from a long way back when just denied by Its On The Line last month, so should go well.
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Appeared to be very much on the decline prior to turning it round in hunters lately, scoring in an 8-runner event at Warwick. Inadequate test at Haydock last time, so should be back on track, but others have better form.
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Classy, consistent sort who jumps well and arrives at the top of his game having coasted to success at Thurles 54 days ago. Has suffered defeat to Its On The Line this term but expected to be in the mix turning for home and deserves plenty of respect.
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Ungenuine type who has been running quite well in points of late but looks out of his depth in this.
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Runner-up in this prior to making all in the Champion Hunters' Chase at Punchestown last April. Won both starts this term at the expense of both Ferns Lock and Billaway. Strong finisher who will be well suited by a test of stamina, so boasts leading claims.
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Likeable type who belied huge odds to take last year's renewal with a fluent display of jumping. Has landed the odds readily in a couple of points since, so everything is in place for a bold defence.
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Multiple point winner who has scored twice in hunters and ran well at Haydock last time. One of the least exposed in this field, so progress can't be ruled out.
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Useful hurdler/chaser who has tasted success in points. Has finished weakly the last twice though and is hard to make much of a case for.
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Has won 5 of his 6 starts in points since last seen under Rules and he was a class act in his day (dual Festival winner), so hard to rule out having his first go in this sphere.
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Third in last year's renewal and has shown he retains ability this season. Step back up in trip will suit, but he's firmly into the twilight of his career now and despite a couple of recent point wins others are preferred.
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Fairly useful chaser with an excellent strike rate in hunters, completing a hat-trick in this sphere when scoring comfortably at Hereford 46 days ago. Others have achieved more but there's every chance he'll give his running.
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Has a likeable profile both in points and under Rules, already a three-time winner in hunters, easily scoring at Wetherby last time. Smooth-traveller who should be suited by the nature of this event, so capable of putting up a bold showing.
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Forecasts
Its On The Line (11/8), Ferns Lock (7/2), Billaway (11/2), Premier Magic (15/2), Sine Nomine (8/1), Samcro (20/1), Quintin's Man (28/1), Shantou Flyer (33/1), Time Leader (50/1), D'jango (66/1), Ramillies (80/1), From The Heart (150/1)
ITS ON THE LINE has edged out both Ferns Lock and Billaway already this season and this stiff test of stamina (in testing conditions) is only likely to aid his cause, so he's fancied to confirm superiority over that pair, who boast solid claims of their own. Premier Magic has done nothing wrong since taking this prize at the expense of the selection in 2023, so he also warrants a strong mention.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £24,445.002nd: £12,220.003rd: £6,110.004th: £3,055.005th: £1,530.006th: £765.00
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