16:10 Cheltenham
Friday 17 March 2023
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
- 5YO plus | Class 2 | 3m 2f 70y | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 23 Runners | Turf
- Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 7m 0.24s
St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase
Weighed In
Cloth number
Long been one of the leading lights in hunter chases and was a game winner (beat Winged Leader) of this 12 months ago having finished runner-up the previous 2 years. However, signs of decline this season, despite last month's Naas success, so probably one to take on for the win in new headgear.
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Smart chaser at best, little impact in 2021/22. However, stretched unbeaten record in points to 4 since leaving Tom George (Jan 15, latest).
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Enhanced good strike rate in this sphere in Champion Hunters at Punchestown in April 2021 but let down by jumping in last 2 renewals of this. Off 12 months. First run for yard after leaving Paul Nicholls.
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Smart hurdler/chaser for Nicky Henderson. Won 4 of last 5 completed starts in points, including latest (Jan 28) but stamina very much to prove.
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Useful chaser who was let down by jumping in this last year but bounced back with a good second in Foxhunters' Chase at Aintree. Well held on comeback at Ascot in November, however.
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High-class chaser at one time and has won all 3 of his starts in points (latest Jan 15). Difficult to know how much ability he retains but must be respected.
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Temperamental sort for Kim Bailey who made a winning start for new yard in hunter chase over C&D 11 months ago. Not seen to best effect when 10½ lengths third to Vaucelet in similar event at Stratford following month. Dual point winner, third last time (Feb 26). Up against it.
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Useful hunter chaser who should have won when neck second of 8 to Vaucelet at Down Royal (24f, soft) 81 days ago, headed close home after idling markedly. Headgear back on now.
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Multiple point winner and useful form in hunter chases, overcoming erratic round of jumping when winning at Wincanton (by 4 lengths from Shantou Flyer) last month. Followed up at Haydock without coming off the bridle so enters calculations.
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Fairly useful form in pair of hunter chases for G. T. H. Bailey. Multiple point winner, by wide margin on both starts in January.
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Fairly useful chase winner (at 23f) for Olly Murphy last season and made a successful transition to hunters (winning pointer) at Taunton. This a tough ask, however.
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Won last 2 of 6 starts in points (Feb 19, second one). Fairly useful form in hunter chases though didn't impress with head carriage when 12 lengths second of 6 to Ferns Lock at Fairyhouse (23.7f, heavy) 122 days ago. Headgear now applied.
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Three-time hurdle winner (for Francois Nicolle) and successful on last of 4 starts in points (Feb 26). Fairly useful form in chases, ½-length second of 5 to Billaway in hunter at Naas in February.
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Multiple point winner who ran a cracker when third in this last year for Gordon Elliott. However, well beaten for this yard here in April and in a point when last seen on New Year's Eve.
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Failed to take to chasing for Gordon Elliott but fairly useful form in hunters for this yard and has done well in points. This surely too demanding, however.
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One-time useful chaser (for Henry de Bromhead) and easy winner of a Musselburgh hunter 13 months ago. Well held in Foxhunters' at Aintree since but was wide-margin winner of a point last month.
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Multiple point winner, including last time (Feb 5). Fairly useful form in hunter chases but produced a tame effort in this last year.
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Just a fair maiden under Rules but easy winner all 5 starts in points (latest Feb 5). Capable of much better back under Rules and one to note.
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Just useful nowadays but had little trouble landing the odds in 5-runner hunter chases at Bangor and Kelso last month. More needed in new headgear here but not taken lightly.
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Has run some excellent races at this meeting over the years, including when twice placed in this event. Still retains plenty of ability but had no answer to Famous Clermont in hunter at Wincanton (25.1f, good to soft) 43 days ago. Failed to complete in point more recently.
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Very smart hurdler/high-class chaser at best. Let down by jumping when 26¾ lengths seventh of 8 to Vaucelet in hunter at Down Royal in December. Won first 3 starts in points, runner-up last time (Feb 12).
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Won 3 of last 4 starts in points and pushed Billaway close in Champion Hunter at Punchestown in April. Enhanced excellent strike rate back under Rules in hunter chase at Down Royal (24f) 81 days ago, winning by neck from the idling Dorking Cock. Stiffer test here will suit and high on shortlist.
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Useful hurdler/chaser at his peak but offered little on his return and last of 6 finishers in a point last time (Feb 26).
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Non-Runners
17
Not That Fuisse24
Weight: 12-0| Age: 10
T: D Skelton J: Mr Jack Andrews
NR
Forecasts
Vaucelet (9/4), Billaway (9/2), Famous Clermont (13/2), Chris's Dream (7/1), The Storyteller (17/2), Rocky's Howya (11/1), Secret Investor (18/1), Bob And Co (20/1), Its On The Line (28/1), Cat Tiger (28/1), Go Go Geronimo (28/1), Dorking Cock (28/1), Dandy Dan (28/1), Not That Fuisse (33/1), Le Malin (40/1), Shantou Flyer (50/1), Brain Power (50/1), Premier Magic (66/1), I K Brunel (80/1), Black Op (100/1), Myth Buster (150/1), Mighty Stowaway (150/1), Wotzizname (200/1), Moratorium (200/1)
VAUCELET improved on his excellent strike rate back under Rules when beating the idling Dorking Cock at Down Royal on Boxing Day and is just about the form pick with this stiffer test sure to suit. Famous Clermont was most impressive at Haydock last month and rates the main threat ahead of last year's winner Billaway.
- Vaucelet9/4
- Famous Clermont13/2
- Billaway9/2
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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